The official line from Nintendo is that the Wii Wheel steering wheel accessory will be available in the beginning of 2008, along with the Wii version of Mario Kart. However, I just got back from Europe, where I happened to spot that very product for sale in an electronics store within the Amsterdam airport for 20 Euros, or about $26. Check it out.
And if your first thought is “Oh, it’s a third-party knock-off”, then I ask you to check out the official-(looking) Nintendo logos on the bottom corners of the box. They don’t do it like that on Canal Street.
As you can see from the package, that is not a Wii Wheel, but a Wii Drive product. The official Wii Wheel is supposed to look a bit different:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/11/nintendo-packing-wii-wheel-with-mario-kart-for-wii/
(And why is the article tagged “Wheel Wheel”?)
Tuomas–
I am aware of the slightly different shape. However, all indications from my being face-to-face with the product suggested it was made by Nintendo.
Furthermore, if you zoom in really close on the pic to the barcode, it clearly says “Wii Wheel”.
Why did whoever took that picture simply not ask the store clerk where it came from, and what it was?
If Amsterdam is PAL why does it have an NTSC seal of quality? Besides, both it and the nintendo logos look fishy :p
Not the real deal, just copyright infringement. It’s obviously not the official one, since they already showed the final product in public. (linked above)
Man I can’t wait for Mario Kart!!!!!!
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http://www.HowToGetFreeWiiPoints.com
It’s real, they had an Ubisoft version of that wheel when GT Pro Series came out. Its just a snap on for the wii-mote.
As for an actual wii wheel with built in movement sensor and buttons shown in the link Mr. Salo provided is coming out in 2008 bundled with Mario Kart Wii.