Review – Buckshot Pump-Action Shotgun For The Wii

These days Wii accessories are only outnumbered by those made for the iPod. Unfortunately, Wii accessories are generally cheap pieces of plastic that do little to add to the enjoyment of the game, despite what the product claims. The only time I bother with such an addition to my Wiimote is when I’m playing a shooter.

I’ve gone through a number of different gun accessories, most of them weren’t of decent quality, or in the case of the ezShot I reviewed last year, couldn’t even perform basic functions properly. Thus I’ve continued to use the official Zapper that came with my Link’s Crossbow Training game. Even that one isn’t perfect, as my large hands sometimes feel cramped when using it. Needless to say, I was skeptical when I received the Buckshot controller from Komodo.

Features

Generally, most guns don’t have a long feature list, as they’re just hunks of plastic. However, the Buckshot is far from this. First, it has an integrated Nunchuck-like controller in the back, right where your thumb would rest. It also has pump action for pressing the B button (for reloading). These two features alone set it above most other gun controllers out there.

First Look

The Buckshot comes in either black or red, mine was the latter. The plastic is fairly glossy, and the rubber grips really add to the overall look. They added a few extra details here and there to give it the look and feel of a somewhat futuristic shotgun. Everyone that has seen mine is immediately drawn to it and is usually impressed by the look and feel of the gun.

Ease Of Use

When I fire up my Wii, I’m not always playing one single type of game. Thus, I don’t want to spend five minutes installing or removing the Wiimote from an accessory. The Buckshot makes this part a snap. There’s a compartment on the top that lifts up, you slide the Wiimote in and close it. A small latch on the outside locks the connector for the built-in Nunchuck-like controller in place. Removal is just as easy. Firing is as easy as pulling the trigger (B button), and reloading is done with the pump action (A button).

Comfort

If a controller isn’t comfortable to use, then you won’t want to bother with it. Comfort is definitely not an issue here. The handle is big enough to accommodate my larger hands, and the pump is contoured to almost the perfect shape. The stick for the built-in Nunchuck controller is exactly where you would find the hammer on a regular pistol. This obviously isn’t a coincidence, as that is the easiest place to access it. The Z and C buttons are located just under the stick. One will notice that the controller is a bit on the heavy side, but I actually prefer this to something that feels like cheap plastic.

Verdict

The Buckshot is the first gun accessory for the Wii that I actually consider to be better than the official Zapper. It’s easier to install and remove the Wiimote, it’s more comfortable and it looks a heck of a lot better. Ordinarily, I’d say that the $35 price tag is high for a Wii accessory, but in this case it is justified. Remember, you’re getting a built-in Nunchuck, which adds to the cost. Besides, it’s the last gun you’ll need for your Wii. <!– @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } –> Unfortunately the release date is still pending.