What better way for Nintendo to steal Microsoft's imminent motion controller thunder than to announce a new Wii add-on the morning of the competition's big E3 media briefing? Nintendo has unveiled a new peripheral that plugs into the Wii remote that enhances the Wii's motion control abilities.
Nintendo's upcoming Wii™ MotionPlus accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote™ controller again redefines game control, by more quickly and accurately reflecting motions in a 3-D space. The Wii MotionPlus accessory attaches to the end of the Wii Remote and, combined with the accelerometer and the sensor bar, allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player's arm position and orientation, providing players with an unmatched level of precision and immersion. Every slight movement players make with their wrist or arm is rendered identically in real time on the screen, providing a true 1:1 response in their game play. The Wii MotionPlus accessory reconfirms Nintendo's commitment to making games intuitive and accessible for everyone. Nintendo will reveal more details about the Wii MotionPlus accessory and other topics Tuesday morning at its E3 media briefing.
1:1 response could change a lot of things. In addition to trumping any competition eager to duplicate the Wii remote experience, now Nintendo has a new toy to dangle in front of developers and eager fans. We'll start to see games that require additional finesse and control. Personally, I think that this Wii MotionPlus gizmo has something to do with the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Unleashed lightsaber combat title, although I wouldn't put it beyond Nintendo to show off a new Legend of Zelda title soon that makes use of accurate sword maneuvers.
