Ubisoft Reveals Wii Steering Wheel Housing

Already the most prolific third party supporters of the forthcoming Wii, Ubisoft has unveiled the first bundled peripheral for the console, in the form of a Thrustmaster-created steering wheel attachment for the Wii-exclusive GT Pro Series. In an interview with GT Pro Series associate producer Tats Myoio on consumer website IGN, the steering wheel is revealed to have no physical anchor to the ground, as with traditional steering wheels. It works simply as a controller device that the Wii remote is placed within and then mainpulated. The add-on was designed by respected manufacturer Thurstmaster, and is also compatible with Ubisoft's fellow Wii launch title Monster 4x4: World Circuit, though it will obviously work with any other games using the Wii remote while held horizontally. Many different separate add-ons for the Wii remote were shown at the E3 event in May, including a light gun attachment, the DualShock style “shell” controller and various retro joypads modeled after older consoles whose games feature on the virtual console. At this time, it was suggested that many games would be bundled with similar low cost peripherals, of which Ubisoft’s steering wheel appears to be the first. In related news, Ubisoft has increased its list of Wii launch titles in North America from seven to eight, with the announcement that the Wii version of Splinter Cell: Double Agent will be available from day one. Other launch titles from the company included format exclusive Red Steel, as well as Rayman Raving Rabbids, Far Cry, Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII, Monster 4x4: World Circuit and Open Season.