PowerGenix’s new Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) rechargeable batteries are important for two reasons. The first reason is performance. At 1.6 volts, the NiZN batteries pump roughly 30% more juice than NiMH and mAh rechargeable batteries, which are rated at 1.2 volts, and even edge out regular Alkaline batteries, which are rated at 1.5 volts.
What this means for gamers, and gadget users in general, is longer battery life than even disposable batteries without sacrificing the money-saving convenience of recharge-ability. And with technology becoming more and more wireless — especially game controllers and accessories — having a reliable, sustainable, long-lasting energy source is vital.
PowerGenix recently sent me a pack of four NiZn AA batteries along with a charger pack loaded with four more AAs, and for the past month I’ve been testing them out in various gaming accessories and other portable gadgets. Needless to say, I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the results.
I’ve been using them regularly in my Wii Remote and Rock Band guitar, for example, and while visiting my niece for her birthday recently I also tried the batteries in our digital camera. I don’t have any specific battery life hours to report, but in a month’s time I haven’t needed to recharge a single battery. I played through both Green Day: Rock Band and Sin & Punishment: Star Successor — roughly 10-12 hours of gameplay, not counting other Wii games I’ve been playing — and the batteries are still going strong. The other pair I had in the digital camera also lasted through a weekend of picture taking.
This battery life performance exceeds my supply of rechargeable NiMH batteries, which I usually need to replace in my Wii Remote after maybe two weeks of regular gameplay and sometimes need to recharge after a couple days of digital camera use (depending on the number of pictures taken, of course). However, I still do need to see how the performance holds up over the long haul. All rechargeable batteries degrade over time, but I’ve never used NiZn batteries before, so I’m not sure if they are any more or less reliable at maintaining their maximum lifespan. Their rate of degradation is supposed to be slower, but that’s not a fact I can corroborate after a month of testing.
The second reason NiZn batteries are an important innovation is for their eco-friendly chemistry. Nickel and zinc are endlessly recyclable materials, and unlike other battery types that may include harsh chemicals, NiZn batteries are nontoxic and noncombustible. Since they have longer battery life, there’s also an energy savings from not having to recharge them as often — minimal, yes, but it still counts for something. So if you are into the green movement, NiZn batteries are what you should be using. They’re also just plain better than other rechargeables and disposables, regardless of environmental impact.
PowerGenix’s Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) rechargeable batteries are a great value for the performance too. You can buy a charger with four AAs for under $25 on Amazon.com, and an individual four-pack of AAs is just over $10. Product is also sold at DepotEco.com and Green Batteries.
Matt Litten is the full-time editor and owner of VGBlogger.com. He is responsible for maintaining the day to day operation of the site, editing all staff content before it is published, and contributing regular news, reviews, previews and other articles.
Matt landed his first gig in the video game review business writing for the now-defunct website BonusStage.com. After the sad and untimely close of BonusStage, the former staff went on to found VGBlogger.com. After a short stint as US Site Manager for AceGamez, Matt assumed full ownership over VGBlogger, and to this day he is dedicated to making it one of the top video game blogs in all the blogosphere.
Matt is a fair-minded reviewer and lover of games of all platforms and types, big or small, hyped or niche, big-budget or indie. But that doesn't mean he will let poor games slide without a good thrashing when necessary! 
