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Big Oversized Super Shell (BOSS) Impressions
We check out a new 3rd party accessory that aims to make playing games with classic control on the Wii a bit more comfortable.
October 6, 2009 | 12:47 PM PSTby: Jeff Rivera
The Big Oversized Super Shell, or BOSS, is a cool little accessory for the Nintendo Wii. Basically, the BOSS is a plastic shell that houses a standard Wii remote which allows the user to use the Wii remote much like a classic video game controller. The feel of the button layout is best described as one part NES and one part SNES, but a bit more bulky. After having a BOSS overnighted to us for review, we put it to the test.
At first glance BOSS looks like a bit of a monster, and it is pretty large to hold in your hands, but after spending some time with it you quickly get a feel for the button layout and it actually is quite comfortable to use if you have medium to large sized hands. The button layout, which actually just actuates the Wii remote buttons within the shell, is definitely more comfortable to navigate than the tiny Wii remote, so for games like Mario Kart and the handful of Virtual Console games we tried, using the BOSS made more sense than just a bare Wii remote. The only issue we can think of is that younger children might have trouble wrapping their hands around the size of the product, but it performs perfectly well for the adult crowd.
Another cool feature of the product is that it comes in different colors that all have a Mario-esque feel to them. BOSS is obviously not usuable with a nunchuck setup, but for games like the upcoming New Super Mario Bros. Wii or any current games that use the Wii remote in the sideways hold, this is a good value at $9.99 each to give some added comfort to your play sessions.
BOSS succeeds over other shell-type products in that it provides a better value. Most of the shell products out there are one-trick pony products that are either geared toward a single game or even a single activity within a game (such as the golf club or tennis racket attachments). For under $10, you can get the basic functionality of the Classic Controller (minus analog sticks and shoulder buttons), and you can buy a whole set of four for the price of a single standard controller. While the product isn't flawless, and it might be hard for the young ones to use, it's going to be hard to find a more recommendable 3rd party controller shell any time soon.
At first glance BOSS looks like a bit of a monster, and it is pretty large to hold in your hands, but after spending some time with it you quickly get a feel for the button layout and it actually is quite comfortable to use if you have medium to large sized hands. The button layout, which actually just actuates the Wii remote buttons within the shell, is definitely more comfortable to navigate than the tiny Wii remote, so for games like Mario Kart and the handful of Virtual Console games we tried, using the BOSS made more sense than just a bare Wii remote. The only issue we can think of is that younger children might have trouble wrapping their hands around the size of the product, but it performs perfectly well for the adult crowd.
Another cool feature of the product is that it comes in different colors that all have a Mario-esque feel to them. BOSS is obviously not usuable with a nunchuck setup, but for games like the upcoming New Super Mario Bros. Wii or any current games that use the Wii remote in the sideways hold, this is a good value at $9.99 each to give some added comfort to your play sessions.
BOSS succeeds over other shell-type products in that it provides a better value. Most of the shell products out there are one-trick pony products that are either geared toward a single game or even a single activity within a game (such as the golf club or tennis racket attachments). For under $10, you can get the basic functionality of the Classic Controller (minus analog sticks and shoulder buttons), and you can buy a whole set of four for the price of a single standard controller. While the product isn't flawless, and it might be hard for the young ones to use, it's going to be hard to find a more recommendable 3rd party controller shell any time soon.
November 20, 2009
