Nintendo announces the Wii MotionPlus at E3

We knew this one was coming, but we didn't know the details. Nintendo busted out the new MotionPlus Wiimote add-on at its E3 keynote today. The device, which attaches to the rear of the controller, will be used to tighten up and refine motion sensing on the Wii, and its tweaks will be levied in a new game that the accessory comes paired with called Wii Sports Resort. The console-maker says the MotionPlus brings 1:1 sensing to the Wii, which will enable detailed control heretofore unseen on the system. We're getting more info (and hopefully a hands-on with the little guy at some point) so stay tuned.

[BB @ Jul 15th 2008 12:54PM]

I would hope that they will come out with an upgraded Wiimote with this tech built in, rather than requiring a box plugged in on the end.

Also, will these new games support the old tech with less accuracy? I would hate to see a segregation of the market into those who have MotionPlus and those who don't.

Hey Ninty how about a free upgrade for all the old controllers!!!

[Plothole @ Jul 15th 2008 1:10PM]

But if they did that, then it would mean an even more expensive upgrade for previous users. 40USD vs maybe 10-20USD. Of course it would be nice for them to bundle this with new controllers and systems from now on (just as they did with the glove).

[Freakin Ijit @ Jul 15th 2008 12:57PM]

Ya mean I'll actually be able to putt right now!?

Yay!

[ds @ Jul 15th 2008 12:59PM]

More Wii Sports -- sounds like a winner.

[imacmatt09 @ Jul 15th 2008 1:02PM]

What is 1:1 sensing anyways?

[Plothole @ Jul 15th 2008 1:06PM]

In theory it means that any motion you make is exactly mimicked by the game.

[Phoenix @ Jul 15th 2008 1:07PM]

You move your arm, the character moves their arm the same amount.

[boatboy @ Jul 15th 2008 5:57PM]

two words: light saber

[GaryZ @ Jul 15th 2008 1:16PM]

it'll be fun if someone can hack it to do some primitive motion capture on PC

[NxP3 @ Jul 15th 2008 1:22PM]

Great...do we have to get new wii jacket for that. I don't see an addon like that will have any impact on game sales, no one is going to purchase that seperately and game utilizing that will just not be purchased...unless it's optional.

[Phoenix @ Jul 15th 2008 1:32PM]

...it'll come with the game and the jacket will be bundled too. Read the Keynote post...

[Michael Flanagan @ Jul 15th 2008 1:47PM]

What about using the nunchuck with this thing plugged in? Will that work?

I see what could be another port at the bottom of the device but that could also be a button for detaching?

Will suck very much if there's no nunchuck while using this thing.

[Phoenix @ Jul 15th 2008 2:08PM]

Well in the demo, someone was playing a game from Sports Resort with a nunchuck, suggesting that you can...

[John B @ Jul 15th 2008 2:34PM]

If yo look closely at the picture, it looks like there's a door or flap and the bottom of the add-on. Most likely you lift that flap to plug in the nunchuck or classic controller.

[inteller @ Jul 15th 2008 1:59PM]

WTF? Make a crappy device and then sell an add on to make it perform correctly?

Just more proof that this technology wasn't ready out the door. When I watch my niece fiddle with her Wii remote on screen I'm like, WTF, are you handicapped or something? Put the dot on the icon!

[Phoenix @ Jul 15th 2008 2:10PM]

The wii remote is not "crappy". Some software for it is crappy, but on the whole motion sensing works very well.

Better to make it cheap at first than use expensive new technology, and then release said technology later on.

Look at the Dualshock 3. FAR worse than this.

And nobody is forcing you to buy this addon.

[Pochi @ Jul 15th 2008 3:15PM]

The Wiimote is a piece of crap. End of story. This makes it decent.

This should have been the way it was - and portrayed - in the first place.

[kevin @ Jul 15th 2008 5:19PM]

I completely disagree, I think the wiimote is amazingly accurate for what it is.

My parents(nearing 60) purchased and use a wii without any help from me. I can honestly say they would not tolerate using a gadget like this if it didn't function properly.

If you are having that hard of a time controlling things, I think maybe you need to think about getting a new wiimote???

[teej @ Jul 15th 2008 6:03PM]

damn you're niece sucks at wii.

[teej @ Jul 15th 2008 6:05PM]

your* niece sucks at wii. i suck at spelling.

[Plothole @ Jul 15th 2008 6:28PM]

" When I watch my niece fiddle with her Wii remote on screen I'm like, WTF, are you handicapped or something? Put the dot on the icon!"

The pointer sensor, which is completely independent from the motion sensor, has always been reliable for me. The only reason I can think that your niece would have trouble is if she's standing too close (you need to be at least two or three feet away from the bar) or her hand is shaking.

[Za @ Jul 16th 2008 1:13AM]

inteller, have you ever actually used it? It is surprisingly accurate and the system, due to these controls, is far more accessible than any other video game interface.

[Pochi @ Jul 16th 2008 10:55AM]

@kevin

Ah yes must be the Wiimote. Not the total absurdity of having to point it directly at some sensor bar to make it work, unlike the half-decent remot it is becoming with the Plus.

[Phoenix @ Jul 18th 2008 3:35PM]

You DO realise that the pointer functionality of the Sensor Bar and camera is not in ANY way affected by this? that'll remain the same. it's the motion sensing that's different.

They're independent systems.

[gumby @ Jul 15th 2008 2:02PM]

More accurate light-saber battles 1:1 sensing will lead to, yeeess.

[mackid105 @ Jul 15th 2008 4:20PM]

i'm with you on that one. Those lightsaber duels were going to be epic to begin with but this 1:1 sensing will make them Uber Epic I cant wait!

[Alan Partridge @ Jul 15th 2008 11:28PM]

agreed

[Allen @ Aug 25th 2008 3:35PM]

Why do you think this will work with the upcoming Star Wars game?

[Nouman @ Jul 15th 2008 2:22PM]

Shortly after, Microsoft announces the Xbox PlusMotion

[Amerist @ Jul 15th 2008 6:35PM]

WANT!! x2

[Kawaiipikachu @ Jul 15th 2008 7:22PM]

While the Wii Reomte works very well for what it does only certian games make crappy use of it im sure this enhancement would put even more innovative possibility's to gameplay .

But unfortunately i don't see too many people realising the true potential of the thing .
Nintendo could also make one for the nunchuck as well for it that would be reall great .

btw at least some you people know how to spell Wii Remote even thru some of you still misspell it as Wiimote which drives me mad .

[seb @ Jul 15th 2008 11:56PM]

The term "Wiimote" is not a misspelling. It's a common nickname for the Wii Remote. It's perfectly acceptable. However, I do understand where you're coming from. Neglecting punctuation and proof reading make me want to kill puppies.

[MrFusion @ Jul 16th 2008 1:59AM]

Yeah, sure, Mr. Perfect spelling... "While the Wii Reomte works [...]"

What is a "Reomte", anyway?? :-)

[dsx @ Jul 15th 2008 7:52PM]

talk about wii enlargement...