Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus add-on makes the Wii Remote a true 1:1 motion controller

While we saw it hinted at in patents, Nintendo is springing quite the doozy on us at E3 in the form of its new Wii MotionPlus add-on. Perhaps in a preemptive strike against supposed Wiimote competition from the likes of Microsoft and Sony, Nintendo is beefing up its motion support with this add-on, which is supposed to proved "an unmatched level of precision and immersion," with sensors to supplement the accelerometer and sensor bar to provide 1:1 motion -- as in, I move my arm this much, my character moves his arm that much. So far that's all we know about the unit, Nintendo will be detailing more at its E3 media briefing tomorrow.

[Thanks, Erie T.]

[babycakes Posted Jul 14th 2008 1:35PM]

@scentedflame
considering a failure rate of one third, the general public probably would call it "broken"

[xdrewfacex Posted Jul 14th 2008 12:36PM]

they should incorporate this tech into future wii remotes, but have the add-on available for wii remotes that have already been manufactured without it...

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 12:37PM]

Why isn't everyone more excited?

This could make the wii awesome!

[FallenArms3 Posted Jul 14th 2008 4:50PM]

I am excited. Especially with that new Star Wars coming out... I hope they take advantage of this, but it might be too late in the game. Regardless, I look forward to true 1:1 motion. It takes the reason I bought my Wii and makes it that much better...

[lousansano Posted Jul 15th 2008 12:22AM]

I highly doubt that this will just make everything better automatically. A game would either have to be developed with this in mind or a update would have to be releaced. Force Unleashed will not support this

[9bit Posted Jul 14th 2008 12:43PM]

So far, the Wii has not lived up to the high expectations I had when its controller was first announced. It has very frustrating, expecting one to one motion detection and only having acceleration support. The limitation has been in the controller, which simply does not have the technology for the level of motion support I wanted. If this add-on is really as good as it claims to be, it could make the Wii what we all imagined. I hope this finally enables a Star Wars game where the wiimote acts as a lightsaber and other cool games the Wii has just not been able to support.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 12:47PM]

Thank god! I've always thought the Wii didn't have enough accessories or attachments or expansion/extensions/covers. Now I can buy one of these so I can rest easily knowing my Wii is fully 'pimped out' with the latest 'kit'.

*rolls eyes*

[jpxdude Posted Jul 14th 2008 12:50PM]

Maybe a proper Wii Lightsabre game now?

[majortom1981 Posted Jul 14th 2008 12:59PM]

Guys al lof you bashing this thing better not praise microsofts motion controller. microsofts motion controller will be something you have to buy. An accessory also. This just makes the controller more precise for the companies who where complaining that it wasnt precise enough.

Come on dont be hypocrites.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 12:55PM]

Does this mean I need new condoms for my Wiimotes?

[Apreche Posted Jul 14th 2008 12:57PM]

Duck Hunt, here we come.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 2:33PM]

Don't you think the additional size is going to keep this from fitting into existing zappers/perfect shots and mario kart wheels?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 1:03PM]

I can finally do the wave with the Wiimote!

[BluSam Posted Jul 14th 2008 1:03PM]

it would be awesome as dual swords... but how the hell can I move the character while only I could slicing??

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 1:39PM]

You could use the balance board to simulate wielding two swords while on a Segway.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 1:50PM]

You have thumbs, right? Said thumbs could easily mash on the conveniently placed D-Pad.

[DWells55 Posted Jul 14th 2008 1:06PM]

I'm so sick of the iPhone-hater hyprocrites. If you don't like the iPhone, good for you - it's not for everyone. But it doesn't make any sense to whine about how Engadget is covering it too much and then come into topics which are unrelated and start talking about the iPhone. I just don't see the logic - "omg i r hate ifone so i r gonna spend all my tiem talking about it."

On-topic, this looks pretty cool. Hopefully pricing is reasonable or perhaps they can bundle it with the first games that require it a la the Star Fox 64/Rumble Pak bundle. Hopefully this can be used for some much better FPS games than the current offerings.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 1:34PM]

I'm seeing right through nintendo right now.

£30 Wii remote
£15 NunChuck
£10 Wiimotionplus

£55 for a fucking single full remote?

Tbh nintendo can fuck off.

I was a nintendo fanboy, pc gamer now. for 55 smacks I could buy 11 keyboards.

[Destian Posted Jul 14th 2008 2:01PM]

Advanced motion sensing in video games: Priceless.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 15th 2008 5:37AM]

And how much less than that does a decent gaming mouse cost?

[leisenstein Posted Jul 14th 2008 1:35PM]

I thought this was going to be in the Wii2. Maybe, by the time the Wii2 comes out they'll actually have 1:1 done right?

Then, we can listen to more lies about how great the widgets will be and how there will be lots of stuff out there for WiiWare.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 1:38PM]

Crap, does this mean I have to send away for another freakin' silicone skin?

- W
http://5dollarmusic.com

[RedGhost Posted Jul 14th 2008 1:38PM]

I am looking forward to this. It is unfortunate that they could not have had this since the start, but I am excited to see 1-1 even if down the line. I imagine that Nintendo will have the accessory for old remotes and build it into the new ones coming out. There are so many games that could use this type of input. I can't believe the amount of hate being spewed here. One the of the major complaints from fanboys of the other systems was that the Wii was never truly 1-1 motion sensing. I guess they are just disappointed they have one less bullet point on their list of complaints.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 1:50PM]

Dig the passthrough accessory port...

But in any case it seems this thing is just a 2 or 3 axis gyro -- I'm surprised nobody has mentioned that already. If I had to guess, I'd say that they were much too expensive at the time of the Wii design for Nintendo to have included them - not to mention Nintendo's inability at the time to commit to enough volume to drive pricing down when it obviously wasn't an absolutely necessary feature.

Honestly gyros are still pretty expensive, so making it a peripheral does make sense, but one might assume that at some point a future rev of the remote will include this internally.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 1:54PM]

Did anyone notice that BoomBlox uses the picture of the MotionPlus controller when showing you how to tie the wrist strap? I was wondering what sort of protective covering it had on it until I saw the pic on this story.

[o29 Posted Jul 14th 2008 2:08PM]

You do realize that his iPhone comment was intentionally inflammatory, right? By taking the bait you're just encouraging it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:01PM]

I have a feeling that there might be a wireless "upgraded" nunchuck to come with this as well.

It only makes sense since:
1) the wire between the two is really frustrating and other companies have realized this making money on Nintendo's missgivings,
2) This is the chance for Nintendo to release its own wireless nunchuck and sell it as an upgrade so now you have to replace two parts.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 2:45PM]

I think this would be a great opportunity to add in a small mic or something.

[enbadesign Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:00PM]

1:1 motion doesn't mean a thing unless the game is programmed well enough to use it properly. Top Spin 3 for the Wii is the perfect example. The controls should have been: Move your player with the nunchuck analog stick, swign with the Wiimote and thats it. Instead the controls are so cumbersome that the game is just better played on the PS3 or Xbox.

At this point to get full Wii functionality you are going to spend far more on a Wii than a PS3 or 360. This is going to lead to the downfall of the Wii system.

$250 system
$40 extra remote
$20 nunchuck
$20 classic controller
$90 Wii Balance Board
$40 2 Wii motion plus units
---------
$500 with tax

It is a lot to pay for a system with a handlful of good games that really don't even need motion controls, a mountain of shovelware, and barely enough storage space for any type of media library.

The Wii was supposed to bring a baseball game that played like baseball, a tennis game that played like tennis, and a multitude of games that used real interactions. Instead we have waggle supprt and broken motion controls. It is sad that the most true to like motion controls are found in the dart game of Game Party. It really feels like throwing darts, fun eh not really but realistic, yes.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 5:12PM]

I see your point about the wii being expensive...but it will not lead to a downfall.

Nintendo understands the consumer mind is looking at the console by itself as a purchase. Then they know once you have their console, they can "nickel and dime" you for a couple hundred more dollars. The average consumer does not figure all of this into his/her decision to purchase the console.

For example, the 360 was always closely priced to the PS3. They charge you $100 for a wireless adapter (which is required for most people) while it is included in the PS3.

I don't really like what they're doing either, but I must admit it is a smart business decision.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 10:09PM]

ya 500 for the wii. But...

Xbox 360:

Premium: $350 for the new 60gb
extra wireless controller: $40
extra play and charge kit: $20
intercooler: $20
wireless adapter: $100
Xbox live 1 year: $50
wireless headset: $50
quick charge kit: $30

$680 with tax

[iansilv Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:23PM]

Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber! Lightsaber!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 10:12PM]

...lightsaber

[M C Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:32PM]

Not to be picky (we all make typos), but proved should be provide. I'm surprised nobody else noticed.

[TheDigeratiDude Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:35PM]

They should release these in batches of 20s. I should be able to tape them to all my body parts and play the most true to life fighting game ever!!! If I had boobs and they bounced true to gravity, my character's would as well!

[linuxiswin Posted Jul 14th 2008 5:13PM]

if yall didn't know the ps3 has a controller called the split fish

its a gaming mouse with cross square triangle and circle on the left
and a wii nunchaku with 3 buttons on the ends and full sixaxis
its the shit

[PhoenixFox Posted Jul 14th 2008 6:44PM]

...No it doesn't

[linuxiswin Posted Jul 14th 2008 5:15PM]

oh and if you look at the end of the expansion there is a slot for the other stuff so you don't lose your nunchaku

its ok all you little fanboys. nintendo isn't that crazy

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 8:25PM]

Alas, too late for me to stop killing small animals after putting trouble in wii sports golf...

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 15th 2008 11:18AM]

there are 2 new star wars games comin out for the wii. star wars: the force unleashed and star wars: clone wars lightsaber duels. i am defenetly lookin forward to both of those games

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 23rd 2008 5:36AM]

Umm........i don't know if any of you watched E3 but when i watched it they said it would come included with Wii Sports 2 (i dont know how much of a great game it is to buy it for the wiimotionplus..but well see -.-)
=D

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 25th 2008 4:17PM]

No nunchuck huh..? Interesting. I think they should rebuild it, and make a connection slot inside of it, and then LATER when they decide they can make motion sensing better, they make the MotionPlus Plus! That way it'll have 1:1:1 blah blah blah, and then, later, a MotionMultiply, that will make it a 2:2:2 motion, and then another motion Plusplusplus thingthing to make even BETTER motion sensory! And then it all continues intil it's a giant sword, and then... THEN... They work on the motion sensory jyros for the Nunchucks.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 25th 2008 7:49AM]

Wii Music looks pretty good. I saw someone doing some awesome drumming with it on the BBC website.

Hobo.
--
http://www.nintendowiigameconsole.co.uk

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 10th 2008 6:51AM]

Well, yes, common people are just like this ;)

http://www.love-vs-hate.com