AA-induced frustrations are coming to an end... in other territories, at least.

Despite how much we love the Wii's design, and the console's delicious features, being forced to use clumsy old AA batteries with the Wiimotes has been a constant pain. It's like falling into a time vortex and emerging in Chaucer's day. We're all waiting on Nintendo getting their act together with some rechargeable option, but while we do so third party peripheral developers are marching ahead with their own plans.

Joystiq has reported on Wii-chargeable (sorry) battery packs going on sale in Japan at the end of month, from manufacturer Thanko. It's a simple lithium-ion battery and dock cradle combo, charging from the USB port in your Wii, and the company are promising twenty five hours of play after three and a half hours charging - enough to put those 'low battery' warnings out of your mind. The product is retailing for the equivalent of $29, and might be of some interest to our import-minded readers (picture on the left, courtesy of Joystiq).

Furthermore, NE has some some sleuthing of our own, and, through the website Wii News, has discovered USB rechargeable packs on sale at online retailer Success-HK here for the curious price of $7.72. We've no word on the reputability of the retailer, so any information to that effect from our readers would be welcomed. And if our readers have seen other products on sale, give us an email or comment below.

Alternatively, you could just invest in some rechargeable batteries and a cheap recharger, available through Froogle, Amazon, or your local electronics shop. You know, old school.