The WaveBird is kinda old but still, can you believe that the WaveBird was the first real wireless controller?
Most of us are so used to "Next Gen" systems and their wireless controllers that we often forget what started it all. I decided to do some research on this almost historic devise (jk, lol) and found that as glitchy as it was, the WaveBird was by far the best wireless controller around until the 360, PS3, and Wii controllers (or remote in the Wii's case)
Using radio frequencies, the WaveBird managed to achieve what other devises couldn't; a practical wireless controller that wasn't bulky and was fairly reliable. There were many other wireless controllers before the Wave bird, but most were made with an infrared technology that forced users to aim the controller directly at a receiver in order for actions to be registered, most of these devises never made it any ware past testing, though *. Nintendo even tried making a controller with this technology, but they found it to frustrating playing games with it and went back to the drawing-board. Radio frequencies controllers were impossible during the late 80's through the early 90's do to the size of the RF devises and the energy cost needed to power them.
Finally in 2002 Nintendo released the controller that has changed gaming for ever.
There is my little tribute article to the WaveBird, I hope you found it interesting. Leave any comments and or questions and I will gladly answer them.
Also, sorry about my writing sucking lol
* The exception to this was the
NES Satellite witch was originally intended to allow up to four players to play the NES. This did not remove the cord from controllers but it at least extended the range quite a bit.
WaveBird pic 1 WaveBird receiver in a Wii Fan made "Wii-Bird" (found by Admin Cult Killer)