Wii Wheel

Description

The Wii Wheel is a plastic controller accessory manufactured by Nintendo and introduced alongside Mario Kart Wii in April 2008. A white wheel was included with retail copies of the game, while additional units were sold separately for multiplayer use. The accessory acts as a shell into which a standard Wii Remote is inserted horizontally. The remote supplies all input and motion detection, with turning the wheel causing its internal accelerometers to register the player’s steering movements. Its compact circular body provides two broad grips around the Wii Remote, making the controller resemble a simplified steering wheel.

A mechanical trigger on the rear presses the inserted remote’s B button, otherwise the accessory does not change the capabilities of the remote, but provides a more comfortable and recognisable grip for games built around tilt steering. Openings leave the remote’s buttons, speaker, Player LEDs, wrist strap, and infrared sensor accessible. In Mario Kart Wii, players hold the wheel in front of them and rotate it left or right to steer. Although most closely associated with Mario Kart Wii, the wheel can be used with other racing games that support a horizontally held Wii Remote and tilt-based steering. It also functions with compatible Wii U software, since the Wii Remote can be used with that system, including Mario Kart 8.

In addition to the standard white model, black and limited gold versions were produced. It became one of the Wii’s most recognisable accessories because it communicated the console’s motion-control concept without adding complex hardware. Its simple construction kept it inexpensive, while its inclusion with Mario Kart Wii ensured widespread ownership. Most experienced players preferred analogue controllers for their greater precision, but the wheel offered an approachable control method for newcomers and casual players.