The Nunchuckfor the Wii - if you have followed along in my Wii-related reviews you have heard me talk about it, and perhaps wondered "what is it??" The name definitely doesn't give away anything, that's for sure... Well wonder no more - we are going to dive head-first into this one!

What Is The Nunchuck?
The Nunchuck plugs into the back of the WiiMote and, if you have the WiiMote in your right hand, is held in your left. Its main feature is a joystick, although it also features two buttons on the front and motion-sensing capability as well. It does not require batteries, and feels sturdy while being very light.

Motion-Sensing Technology Too?
The Nunchuck has motion-sensing capability too, although it is not as advanced as the WiiMote itself. For example, when you are playing Wii Sports Boxing, you punch forward with either your left or right hand (e.g. WiiMote or Nunchuck), and the Wii picks up that you are jolting the Nunchuck forward. It does the same thing for Aerobics Boxing in Wii Fit. To sprint in The Bigs, you pump your arms like you are running, and the Wii can sense that you are moving the Nunchuck vertically. So while the Nunchuck doesn't have the pointing ability of the WiiMote, it does have motion-sensing technology, which you will find yourself using with virtually every Wii game that requires the Nunchuck.

So It Sounds Neat, But Do You Really Need It?
For some games, there's no way to play without having a Nunchuck. But don't be worried - your Wii comes with one WiiMote and one Nunchuck! There are some games where you can play without the Nunchuck - take Mario Kart Wii for example, you can play with the WiiMote and Nunchuck, or use the Wii Wheel - but most of those games were designed with the Nunchuck as an alternative way to play. For games such as The Bigs and Wii Sports Boxing, there's really no way out of it, you need the Nunchuck.

How Many Do You Need?
So you may need it, but then next question is how many Nunchuck's do you really need? With the ability to plug in four WiiMotes at once, do you need four, or can you get by with just one? The answer is that you need one per person - so if you're looking to play a four-player game that involves the Nunchuck, you need four. I only have two, and I find that I've gotten by just fine - we've avoided playing four player games that mandate the Nunchuck, and I don't feel like we've missed out on anything (we can still play two players on those games).

Give Me The Bottom Line: Cost
The Nunchuck costs $20, so it won't break the bank if you decide to buy three more (since you get one for free with your Wii).

Overall
The Nunchuck is a great addition to the WiiMote and is one of the many reasons the Wii is great. It has motion-sensing capabilities, a joystick, and two buttons. The only downside is that it is not included with the WiiMote, yet it is necessary for some games, so you have to pay an extra $20 to get it.