This current generation of consoles has opened the door to what I feel is are the absolute worst video game accessories ever. Sure, the Power Glove is ‘so bad‘ and the U-Force was equally broken, but at least their intentions were somewhat grounded in offering players a new, better or different experience.
Thanks to the Wii (and now PlayStation Move), accessory makers are having a field day selling consumers plastic controller attachments that add nothing to the gameplay experience other than more stuff to hold. Sure, it’ll look like you’re swinging a tennis racquet, but do you actually need the extra visual stimulation to add to the realism? I say no. Based on how well these controller attachments sell, it seems like I’m in the minority on this one, which irks me to no end.
What bothers me even more than the fact that the majority of these attachments add nothing to the experience is that many of them actually make the gameplay worse. For instance, take these Wii boxing gloves pictured above. I’ve seen probably dozens different companies put out their version on store shelves, and NONE of these gloves were actually designed to properly work with Wii Boxing.
I know that the controls are not that precise in Wii Boxing, but there are specific motions that the game reads as commands. For instance, to throw a right jab, you have to hold the Wii remote vertically, controls facing you, and thrust the remote forward. If you wanted to throw that same punch wearing those boxing gloves, you would have to motion your right hand as if you were throwing a javelin. Sure, you could throw a punch as you normally would wearing those gloves, but it won’t work properly because those gloves weren’t designed to work with the actual Wii Boxing control scheme. 
Even the major companies are releasing controller attachments with their games because the audience for casual games loves this stuff. Mario Kart Wii was wildly successful, thanks in part to the steering wheel attachment packed in with the game. I have used the steering wheel before and don’t like it at all. Most recently, NHL Slapshot for the Wii comes with a mini hockey stick attachment.
Regardless of how vocal I am about my dislike of controller attachments due to their uselessness, the casual gaming audience will ensure that this controller attachment niche won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. I can’t blame companies for chasing money when there’s money to be had, and I can’t blame consumers for spending their money on attachments just because I think they’re useless. If they want to fill their house up with these types of products, that’s their prerogative.
Are you with me on my dislike of controller attachments or am I just being an elitist jerk that doesn’t get it?
In Third Person 
