Nunchuk

The Nunchuk (model number RVL-004) is a controller attachment for the Wii Remote, and it is packaged with every Wii. A Nunchuk connects to a Wii Remote via a cord, and its name is derived from the weapon, which it resembles while attached. A Nunchuk has an analog stick and two trigger buttons: a rectangular Z button and a smaller circle-shaped C button. Much like controllers for the Nintendo 64 and the Nintendo GameCube, movement of the Nunchuk's analog stick is restricted within an octagonal area. It works in tandem with the main controller in many games, including some Wii U ones, and some Wii games require the Nunchuk to be connected. Like the Wii Remote, the Nunchuk also provides accelerometer for three axis motion-sensing and tilting, but does not have a speaker, a rumble function, or a pointer function like the Wii Remote does.

The body of the Nunchuk measures 4.45 inches (113 mm) long, 1.5 inches (38 mm) wide, and 1.48 inches (37 mm) thick.

The Nunchuk is generally available in white and black. Cyan-colored Nunchuks were available in Japan as a prize for a contest used to promote Wii Sports Resort. Red Nunchuks are bundled with the red Mario anniversary Wii console and Wii Mini. A gold Nunchuk was offered to Club Nintendo members for a limited time to complement The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword's gold Wii Remote Plus.

There are several unofficial wireless versions of the Nunchuk. They connect to the Wii Remote via a wireless adapter hooked into the cord input on the bottom of the Wii Remote, the signal is sent from the bottom of the Nunchuk to the hooked-in adapter on the remote.

In one conference, it was stated that Retro Studios helped design the Nunchuk because the Remote on its own would not be able to play Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. In the game, Samus Aran's movement is controlled via the joystick, and the C button allows her to morph in and out of Morph Ball mode. The Z button locks Samus' point of vision, or locks onto an enemy target if one is in Samus' view. The Nunchuck is also used to fire the Grapple Lasso, by casting the Nunchuk forward to Grapple a target, and by flicking the Nunchuk backwards to remove the target. This is used to remove a variety of obstacles, including shields, debris and other things.

In 2008, a wireless Nunchuk was released by Nyko, and it synchronizes to a Wii Remote by attaching a wireless dongle to the Wii Remote itself.

Trivia

 * On prototype Nunchuks, the Z and C buttons are labeled Z1 and Z2 respectively.