Xbox 360 Fanboy

Nyko is unveiling a new product at E3 this year, the Intercooler TS. Most X3F readers will remember the Intercooler as a large brick with fans in it that sucks hot air out of Xbox 360s, ostensibly protecting them from the dreaded Red Ring of Death. Whether or not the product actually works, Nyko assured us that it remains the top selling third party accessory for the Xbox 360, so there must be plenty of gamers eager to protect their investment. Enter the Intercooler TS, which boasts two main improvements. First, the unit is powered by its own AC adapter, rather than interfacing with the 360's power port like the original Intercooler. Second, the unit contains a temperature sensor that turns on the fans when a rapid increase in temperature is detected. Nyko informed us that the unit will even cool a 360 after it has been shut down. Once the Xbox 360 is sufficiently cooled, the fans automatically shut off. The Intercooler TS will be available in September for $24.99. The old school Intercooler will remain on the market for $19.99.

We also got to take a look at the ChargeBase 360, a new charging station that can charge two Xbox 360 controllers simultaneously in approximately 4 hours (2 hours for a single controller. The ChargeBase 360 includes two special battery packs with contacts on that interface with the charging station. Each battery is supposed to offer up to 25 hours of play. The ChargeBase is available now for $39.99.

If you're still deathly afraid of your Xbox 360 overheating, then we have a brand new solution for you. Introducing the Titan XFan, a device bulky enough that it's likely to make your power brick jealous. So, what makes the XFan different from the 360-melting NYKO Intercooler? Apart from its arguably more attractive design, the XFan uses the rear USB port for its power needs. The Intercooler, on the other hand, pulled its juice from the power port (which reportedly led to its 360-damaging problems). The XFan also includes a pass-through port that allows you to utilize the rear USB if you need it.

Even with all these spiffy features, we're not exactly clamoring to get one. If you really want to keep your 360 cool, we suggest the simplest solution: plenty of ventilation. Still, if you just have to stick a 3rd party device onto your 360, you might remotely consider possibly thinking about maybe purchasing the XFan when it releases later this month.

[Via TheXboxDomain. Thanks, Michael]

Planet Xbox 360 has posted its review of the Nyko Intelligent Remote for the Xbox 360. Essentially a budget version of the Logitech Harmony remote, the Intelligent Remote is a "learning" remote, that relies on direct programming rather than manufacturer codes. To program the Intelligent Remote you place another remote in front of it and press the appropriate button. This is then mapped to an appropriate button on the Nyko remote. While the process is tedious, as each button must be individually programmed, it allows for multiple device functions to be contained on one remote.

As 360 functions are automatically programmed into the control, it works well for watching DVDs or navigating menus on the Xbox 360. Your satisfaction of the device will likely rely on how much time you're willing to spend programming it. Ultimately, Planet Xbox 360 recommends the official 360 remote over the Nyko product.

Does anyone out there have one of these? Would you care to attest to its quality (or lack thereof)?

Okay, to be honest we're not big fans of that Nyko Cooler device, so when news of the Cooler King came across our news desk we were a little bored by the whole idea. But then we realized that the Cooler King does much more than its Nyko cousin, much more. Not only does it have a fan to unnecessarily remove built up heat in your 360, but it also has a bunch of video and audio inputs. Since it plugs directly into the special 360 video plug, you can now use any standard composite, component, s-video, vga or optical audio plug. And as a bonus gift they throw in four extra USB 2.0 ports on the device. You can buy it from UK Play.com for the low price of £17.99.

[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]

Nyko has announced that it will unveil its Zero line of controllers for the PS3, Xbox 360 (PS2 version pictured) at the Consumer Electronics Show this month. The control promises wireless play, backlit buttons, and "heat dissipating" aluminum panels. The most interesting aspect of the controller is its wireless connectivity. 360 Fanboy readers will know that Microsoft has yet to allow any third parties to use its proprietary wireless technology, making Nyko a potential first. Of course, it's possible that it will be wireless via an adapter akin to the PS2 version.

The most surprising part, though, is the price. Nyko announced a suggested retail price of $49.99 for the controllers. Typically, 3rd party controllers are offered as a cheaper -- and not as well constructed -- alternative to 1st party controllers. It looks like Nyko has decided to take a different route, offering premium products in the hope that users will prefer them to 1st party offerings. If the favorable reviews of the PS2 Zero controller are any indication, Nyko may succeed.

Would you be interested in trading your 360 pad for a premium 3rd party product? Do any of you own the PS2 Zero controller?

Those that use Nyko's Intercooler 360 may want to consider this post at XboxAddict. Supposedly, the Intercooler is actually competing with the 360 for power. The Intercooler runs off the same electricity as the 360, so the console may not have enough juice to run properly -- and could break down. Also, a Microsoft customer service rep said that the Intercooler may even leave scorch marks on the console. While Microsoft warns against the use of 3rd party peripherals -- because they don't make MS any money, natch -- they do recommend the Pelican Fan Stand as a replacement. The Fan Stand utilizes a USB port rather than sharing the 360's AC input.

A number of readers responded in our recent post about Nyko products, saying that they were pretty shoddy, and this isn't the first time we've seen problems with the Intercooler. Anybody out there experience problems with their Intercooler?

Nyko has shipped two new battery charging options for users of the 360's wireless controls. The first product is the Nyko Charge Station 360. You can imagine what that does. That's right, it charges your batteries. It charges two simultaneously to be exact. The unit plugs directly into a wall socket and is capable of charging two batteries in approximately four hours. The big difference between the Nyko charger and Microsoft's is that it comes with two batteries instead of one. Both units share the same suggested retail price of $29.99, giving the edge to the Nyko charger.

The second product is the Power Kit 360, Nyko's version of the Play and Charge Kit from Microsoft. The Power Kit allows players to charge controls -- and continue playing -- by plugging them directly into the 360. The Nyko Power Kit retails for $14.99 compared to the Play and Charge Kit's price of $19.99. Not bad for those of us who haven't taken the wireless plunge yet. Please note, you might want to avoid picking these up at Best Buy, where both products have been marked up. Anyone plan on getting these? For that matter, has anyone tried the Intelligent Remote from Nyko?

[Via digg]