darkSpyro

Seeing as it looks like future Skylanders games such as Skylanders Giants will not be released for PC ( ), my only other option will be to buy the Wii version of those games.
The only thing is, I really can't be bothered with all those difficulties I've been hearing about with those battery-munching wireless portals-of-power that the Wii (and PS3) versions come with.

Then I had an idea, but I'll need someone to quickly test it for me:

If you are a person who owns the Wii version of the current Skylanders game, but who also happens to own a USB Cabled portal of power from the Xbox360/PC version as well, could you try plugging that USB cable portal in to one of the USB ports on the back of the Wii and check for me whether the Wii version of the game works with a Xbox360/PC portal of power?

Many thanks to someone who can do this!

Doesn't work with the X360 portal no

Quote: Reimu

Doesn't work with the X360 portal no

Then I doubt it will work with the PC one then either.

Damn it.


Anyway, thanks for answering.

Yeah, the PC portal works with all versions except 360. The only reason the 360 can only run the 360 version is because of Microsoft.

There is part of me that is wishing or hopeing that Giants comes with a portal that can be pluged into an outlet.... I would love that... plus it would seem it would have less problems, etc

What does everyone else think?

Quote: bionicle2809

Yeah, the PC portal works with all versions except PC. The only reason the 360 can only run the 360 version is because of Microsoft.

Really? That sounds very interesting. I assumed the PC and Xbox360 versions had exactly the same portal.

Well the PC version is the one I have, so it would be really helpful for me if this were true.

if i remember this right

portal [works with] <wired or wirelsss>

3ds [all] <wired AND wireless through IR port>
PC [ps3, wii, 360, pc] <wired only>
ps3 [ps3, wii, pc] <wireless only>
wii [wii, ps3, pc] <wireless only>
360 [360, pc(webgame)] <wired only>

so the best all around portal is the PC version since it's wired and works with everything, but it's almost impossible to find on ebay since almost nobody bought the pc version

edit: well, technically the 3ds version is the best in terms of utility, but it's very small and only glows blue. the PC version is large, glows in the full spectrum (so you get the cool elemental colors effect), and is wired so there's no battery issue

what would be best is a wireless portal with an AC adapter, in fact i think i could wire up something like that with a little solder, elbow grease, and a spare barrel connector from DigiKey

So the PC version doesn't need batteries? It runs on the usb cord and can be connect to the wii and used without battieries? Is this correct?

Well this is all excellent news for me so far.

Quote: Osbor

if i remember this right

portal [works with] <wired or wirelsss>

3ds [all] <wired AND wireless through IR port>
PC [ps3, wii, 360, pc] <wired only>
ps3 [ps3, wii, pc] <wireless only>
wii [wii, ps3, pc] <wireless only>
360 [360, pc] <wired only>

so the best all around portal is the PC version since it's wired and works with everything, but it's almost impossible to find on ebay since almost nobody bought the pc version

edit: well, technically the 3ds version is the best in terms of utility, but it's very small and only glows blue. the PC version is large, glows in the full spectrum (so you get the cool elemental colors effect), and is wired so there's no battery issue

what would be best is a wireless portal with an AC adapter, in fact i think i could wire up something like that with a little solder, elbow grease, and a spare barrel connector from DigiKey

The X360 works only on the X360 and webgame. I tried the X360 portal on the PC version of the game and it didn't work. The portal blinks and closes.

Quote:

what would be best is a wireless portal with an AC adapter, in fact i think i could wire up something like that with a little solder, elbow grease, and a spare barrel connector from DigiKey

Already been done, use any cell phone charger cord that is approximately 5 volts(most are) and solder the two leads to the battery holder.

Quote: echsodie

Quote:

what would be best is a wireless portal with an AC adapter, in fact i think i could wire up something like that with a little solder, elbow grease, and a spare barrel connector from DigiKey

Already been done, use any cell phone charger cord that is approximately 5 volts(most are) and solder the two leads to the battery holder.

yeah i just opened my portal (again) to check the leads, the battery compartment is already set up to put the three double As in series, you just gotta solder the leads on the end.

and i was also thinking about using a barrel connector (The thing you used to see on old chargers), but you're right, any old USB cord will work just as well. the usb standard is 5 volts anyway

it'd be really cool if i used a female USB slot on the portal, thus making the usb cord detachable, and THEN put in a super simple tiny charging circuit, and three rechargeable double As in it, so i could make the portal a rechargeable detachable deal.
feel like going wireless? no problem, pop the cord out and just carry it across the room.

The 3Ds portal works on the PC and the Wii for sure. You just need to plug it into the Wii before you start up the game, otherwise it will look for the wireless version of the portal. Only issue is that the 3DS portal is kinda small, although I have put two chars on it and a magical item before, they just hang off a bit, but the RFID seems to still work OK. It must be powerful enough when powered via USB work read/write to the chars without issues.

I admit though that when the starter packs were $40 at TRU, I did grab a Wii pack to get that larger portal. :-) I have not had to change the batteries yet, but I have not used to very much. I grind/play on the XB version mostly and 'mess around' with the Wii version (money, etc)...... }:-)

-VM

Don't worry about it, I played through the entire game and 26 challenge levels (many with more than one character) with one set of batteries. That's more than reasonable for battery life. I heard that some people with serious battery issues have defective portals. Also make sure you buy Duracell or another good battery, don't expect cheap batteries to last long.

Quote: SteveW

Also make sure you buy Duracell or another good battery, don't expect cheap batteries to last long.

Cheap batteries are what is called false economy, you save money buying more expensive batteries because they last longer.

Though if you really want to save money I recommend an Energizer battery recharger, they come with a set of 4 AA batteries and because the portal annoyingly takes 3 I suggest getting a second set so you can charge one set while using the other, I've been using Energizer rechargable AAs in my Wii controlers for ages, they last a decent time and they take plenty of recharges (my first set has been recharged at least 60 times and still seems to last plenty of time).

Again it pays to choose a good brand but I imagine Duracell rechargables are just as good... any other brand would be taking a risk. It does cost a bit to get set up with the charger (with the 4 AAs it comes with) and an aditional set of 4 AAs, I could get it for about £30 here in the UK which is $47.60 US but a quick browse on amazon.com shows me it would likely cost no more (and possibly less) than $35 but this would also mean you always had 4 to 8 AA batteries ready for use with any other product, they will probably last you longer than your interest in the game and still be useful after.

Quote: Osbor

what would be best is a wireless portal with an AC adapter, in fact i think i could wire up something like that with a little solder, elbow grease, and a spare barrel connector from DigiKey

The portals they had at the toy fair had AC adapter ports in the back, so there's at least hope.

You can also do as you suggested with opening it up and adding a usb port. You can also get AC to DC adapters at radio shack that can easily solder into the current portal in place of the battery compartment. With a little finesse you should be able to support both without much modification.

Quote: anverc

Quote: Osbor

what would be best is a wireless portal with an AC adapter, in fact i think i could wire up something like that with a little solder, elbow grease, and a spare barrel connector from DigiKey

The portals they had at the toy fair had AC adapter ports in the back, so there's at least hope.

You can also do as you suggested with opening it up and adding a usb port. You can also get AC to DC adapters at radio shack that can easily solder into the current portal in place of the battery compartment. With a little finesse you should be able to support both without much modification.

radio shack? pfft
man, i go straight to the source
http://search.digikey.com/us/e...rel%20connector
they also have female USB connectors with open leads

Quote: Deandria

Quote: SteveW

Also make sure you buy Duracell or another good battery, don't expect cheap batteries to last long.

Cheap batteries are what is called false economy, you save money buying more expensive batteries because they last longer.

Though if you really want to save money I recommend an Energizer battery recharger, they come with a set of 4 AA batteries and because the portal annoyingly takes 3 I suggest getting a second set so you can charge one set while using the other, I've been using Energizer rechargable AAs in my Wii controlers for ages, they last a decent time and they take plenty of recharges (my first set has been recharged at least 60 times and still seems to last plenty of time).

Again it pays to choose a good brand but I imagine Duracell rechargables are just as good... any other brand would be taking a risk. It does cost a bit to get set up with the charger (with the 4 AAs it comes with) and an aditional set of 4 AAs, I could get it for about £30 here in the UK which is $47.60 US but a quick browse on amazon.com shows me it would likely cost no more (and possibly less) than $35 but this would also mean you always had 4 to 8 AA batteries ready for use with any other product, they will probably last you longer than your interest in the game and still be useful after.

To add a little bit of weight to this, you will be surprised how many places you will start to use those re-chargeable batteries, so the extras will not go to waste. Especially if you get the high mA ones for your camera.

Quote: chaosworrier

To add a little bit of weight to this, you will be surprised how many places you will start to use those re-chargeable batteries, so the extras will not go to waste. Especially if you get the high mA ones for your camera.

Absolutely! People really underestimate rechargables, probably because they used to be just awful years ago (and still pretty bad if you go all cheapo with the off-brand ones). And they do seem expensive initially but you save tons in the long run. The charger I have also charges AAA and 9v so I got a pack of 4 AAAs to use with it too, they're also really useful.

I must admit that my charger pack came with 2 AAA's and that has been enough for me as I use them significantly less.

Anyway, back to the topic, my friend...

...I say find a cheap PC version on a budget rack (soon enough) and don't look back?