CES 2009

It's no secret that gaming's presence at CES can barely be felt, but we were lucky enough to find some diamonds in the rough, including a few that made us want to phone a lawyer.

While there was no new gaming software to be found, there was a respectable amount of gaming hardware and accessories that stole our attention. Nyko stood out with the company's Wand and Kama Charge Kit and Mad Catz showed off Street Fighter IV-branded FightPads and FightSticks. We were wowed by the Nvidia GeForce 3D Vision, but unfortunately getting it all set up requires a few expensive add-ons.

We were upset to see a lack of products devoted solely to game consoles like we had originally anticipated. So where does this leave gaming's future at CES? Believe it or not, gaming actually had more of a showing at this year than it did in '08, so we'd imagine to see an incremental increase next year. Keep in mind, a lot of third-party hardware and accessories are a result of the Wii, a console that lends itself very well to the production of such items.

Check out these other notable CES gaming stories and slide shows:

• How are these console emulators legal?
• Saitek showed us a flight stick for the home console
• Does this Sixense remote improve on the Wiimote?
• The thought-controlled Mindflex game
• DreamGear WarBeast gaming guitar: An exact replica of the B.C. Rich WarBeast guitar
• The Psyko 5.1 headset puts a new spin on surround-sound gaming
• Mad Catz lets you program 11 buttons with the Cyborg X
  

Getting to know the Nyko Kama Charge Kit--photos

While the Nyko Wand took our Best of CES gaming award, we were also fans of a few additional accessories the company announced for the Nintendo Wii.

We really like the Kama Wireless Nunchuk we reviewed a few months ago, and Nyko has decided to improve on the item again. We know Nintendo had a fairly unpublicized grievance with the Kama's striking resemblance to an original Nunchuk, and Nyko wouldn't comment if the Kama Charge Kit was a result as a settlement between the two manufacturers.

The Kama Charge kit not only comes with a new and improved Nunchuk--albeit cosmetically different than the original Kama--it comes complete with a rechargeable rubberized battery pack and custom charging cradle. We also really liked the inclusion of an additional battery pack and gripped cover to transform an original Wii remote into a chargeable one.

Check out our slide show detailing all of the new updates to the Kama Nunchuk.

We chose the Nyko Wand as a Best of CES gaming finalist because the product not only improves on the original Nintendo design, but because of the controller's innovative Trans-Port interface.

Check out our slide show detailing the features of the Wand and see how it will combine with accessories like the Pistol Grip.

Photos: A closer look at the Nyko Wand for Nintendo Wii

(Credit: Nyko)

When we reviewed the Nyko Kama Wireless Nunchuk our biggest complaint was that it required two AAA batteries. That aside, we really enjoyed the luxury of removing the wire that normal tethers your Wii remote to the nunchuk.

Nyko has responded to some of our gripes with the Kama Charge Kit, a rechargeable version of the Kama nunchuk that docks and charges in a special cradle molded for it. The kit also adds a rubberized backing to the wireless nunchuk--a feature we really liked included with the original Charge Station.

In addition to storing and charging the Kama nunchuk, there's also room on the dock for one Wii remote to be charged, and Nyko has thrown in a rechargeable battery and gripped batter cover to boot.

While Nyko has yet to set a price, the Kama Charge Kit will ship to stores this April.

(Credit: Nyko)

If there's one accessory we'd label as a must-have for the Nintendo Wii, it would be the Nyko Charge Station. The company also recently released a Quad Charge Station, allowing you to simultaneously store and charge up to four Wii remotes.

At CES, Nyko has announced a successor to the Charge Station, the EX. However, the only real upgrade is the addition of a battery meter on the actual charging dock designed to take the guesswork out of potentially premature charging. The Charge Station EX will also come with custom grip battery controllers just like the original.

Either way, if you're still looking for a great way to store and charge your Wii controllers all while adding improved grip, we'd recommend waiting for the Nyko Charge Station EX when it's available in April for $35.

(Credit: Nyko)

In an effort to trump the existing Nintendo Wii remote controller, Nyko is introducing what the company is calling the most advanced Wii remote yet.

The Nyko Wand looks a lot like the Wii remote we're all used to, but instead can output commands and even vibration through the controller's port at the bottom of the device. Using what Nyko calls Trans-Port technology, the new interface will allow compatible devices to take advantage of functionality not always available in current Wii remote accessories.

For example, a new pistol grip for The Wand will allow not only full force-feedback, but also a way to use the 1, 2, +, and - buttons without the need to reach around to the top of the remote. Also, the controller's uniquely oversize face buttons should help when using the device with the aid of an accessory.

The Wand will ship to stores this April, however no price has been set.