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The evolution of MotionPlus's shape
Thanks to a set of European trademarks, we can get a rare look at the way a peripheral's design has evolved along its development cycle. NeoGAFfer Shiggy found three trademarks for different case designs of the MotionPlus attachment. They appear in chronological order above.It's basically the same throughout, except the bottom corners went from curving inward to curving outward! From the look of the final product, that "lip" is designed to help secure the new jacket in place. Alternate theory: the MotionPlus flares out to reduce the aerodynamic quality of the Wiimote, should it slip out of players' hands.
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10 lands in June, comes with MotionPlus
Say it with us now: "Phew!" When Nintendo announced that its Wii MotionPlus dongle would be hitting US shelves on June 8th, we all wondered why Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo's first MotionPlus-enabled title) was set to ship over a month later. Now, EA Sports has relieved worries that early adopters would have no software to use with their new toy by announcing that Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10 will hit North America on June 15th. Better still, the Wii version will be available with a MotionPlus add-on bundled in for just $10 more than the standalone title (which will run $49.99). As great as all this is, Europeans still come out better, as they'll also see Grand Slam Tennis ship in June with a MotionPlus packed in. Ah well -- it's just a peccadillo, we'll let it slide this time.
EA Sports MotionPlus bundles confirmed for North America and Europe
EA just sent out a press release confirming the rumored EA Sports Grand Slam Tennis and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 bundles for Europe. Both games will ship with included MotionPlus accessories this summer. "This exclusive and limited-time offer is exciting news for sports fans who want to enhance their Wii experience for a great value with the new Wii MotionPlus right at launch with both Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10 and EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis," Peter Moore said in the press release. The bundles will retail for £49.99.In addition, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 will include a MotionPlus in North America at launch -- over a month before Wii Sports Resort! GameStop has already posted a listing for the bundle (at $59.99) and a free overnight shipping offer (enter the coupon code EAGLE). No idea why Grand Slam Tennis isn't also going to have a bundle, but at least there's one more bundled game, so you can get a MotionPlus for your second controller.%Gallery-47656%
Pachter calls March Wii console sales 'somewhat disconcerting'
Michael Pachter, analyst for Wedbush Morgan, isn't freaking out, and he wants you to know that you shouldn't be either. He notes, while speaking on the subject of March NPD numbers, that even though the month saw hardware sales numbers drop across the board, that really has more to do with extraordinary sales for all comparable months. Speaking with GameSpot, Pachter said, "It's entirely possible that we were just up against an impossible comparison ... we're looking at a comparison to Grand Theft Auto IV in April, so it's likely that April will be down as well," referring to the release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl in March of 2008 and the subsequent month's GTAIV. What he does find worrisome, however, is declining Wii software sales after a year of strong console sales, reportedly doubling the system's installed-base. "Given that the installed base of Wii consoles has doubled in the past year, we find it remarkable (and somewhat disconcerting) that Wii software sales were actually down year-over-year in March, dropping by $72 million, or 26 percent." Pachter doesn't see the future as grim though, pointing out that this summer's release of Wii MotionPlus and Wii Sports Resort should put some wind back in Nintendo's sales sails. We'll just have to wait 'til August NPDs are released to find out!Source 1 - GameDailySource 2 - GameSpot
Nintendo not apt to add MotionPlus capabilities to older titles
Hey, you know what would be awesome? If you could actually use the MotionPlus dongle you're going to pick up on June 8th. You see, there's a 1.5 month gap between the US release date of the add-on and the first first-party title (Wii Sports Resort) designed to take advantage of it. 'Course, we fully expect a few third-party games (EA's Grand Slam Tennis, for one) to filter out beforehand, but what we were really hoping was for the Big N to provide patches for a few existing titles. Sadly, Mario has chimed in from the Mushroom Kingdom with this: "The Wii MotionPlus accessory is only for games that are designed to make use of its abilities." Translation? You can forget about seeing MotionPlus support added to Mario Kart Wii... or Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal, for that matter.[Via Joystiq]
Wii games unlikely to be patched with MotionPlus support
Trying to make sense of the month-and-a-half delay between the release of Nintendo's MotionPlus and the first Nintendo game to use it, Wii Sports Resort, GameDaily proposed a theory. Maybe there would be games to play at launch -- old games! "With a nearly two-month span of time between the accessory release and the game's arrival at retail," GameDaily's Micheal Mullen wrote, "we expect that Nintendo will release patches that will make the new accessory work with your already existing library." The first game to receive such treatment, of course, would be the original Wii Sports.Nintendo's response to GameDaily suggests that this won't be happening: "The Wii MotionPlus accessory is only for games that are designed to make use of its abilities." Nintendo isn't really much for patching games with updated functionality, unless you consider releasing the game again seven years later on a different disc a kind of "patching."
GameStop demonstrates 1:1 'gouging' motion for MotionPlus
Did you buy a Zapper from GameStop? Then you paid $5 over MSRP, just for the "privilege" of being able to visit GameStop (unless you bought it used, of course). It appears that the retailer will employ the same pricing scheme of "$5 more than" (what it's supposed to be) for the MotionPlus attachment.GameStop's website currently lists the peripheral at $24.99, five bucks over the price announced this morning. The retail listing uses an image matching the new appearance of the device (inside a new, larger Wii remote jacket), suggesting that GameStop has had time to update the price to match Nintendo's announcement -- but hasn't. Of course, there is a chance this isn't GameStop's final price.If you don't mind waiting, Gamestop is taking preorders of the Wii Sports Resort/MotionPlus bundle for the recommended $49.99 price. If you do mind waiting and you don't want Resort, then ... go pretty much anywhere else.[Via GoNintendo]
Wii MotionPlus shipping June 8, Wii Sports Resort following on July 26
Just in case Satoru Iwata's promise of a July release window for Wii Sports Resort wasn't good enough for you, Nintendo sent official word that the upcoming game will launch in the U.S. on July 26. As expected, the beach-themed sequel will come bundled with the MotionPlus peripheral for $50, which will be released by itself on June 8 for $20. Nintendo promises that "developers around the world" are working on titles to take advantage of MotionPlus. Purely by coincidence, wrists around the world have begun to cry out in fear.
Nintendo's $19.99 MotionPlus Wiimote add-on ships to US on June 8th
Alright, so maybe the rumors weren't that far off, but the Big N just did us a solid by establishing US availability of its MotionPlus Wiimote accessory a few weeks ahead of when we were expecting. Granted, it's downright baffling that these things still aren't out on the market, but we're fully anticipating perfection from something that has been in the Crock-Pot® for so long. Shortly after E3 2009 concludes (June 8th, to be precise), Nintendo will ship its MotionPlus add-on stateside. The device itself will run you $19.99, though you could wait until July 26th to pick up the totally attractive Wii Sports Resort for $49.99, which naturally comes bundled with one of the accessories.
Iwata: Wii Sports Resort out in Japan this June, overseas in July
Satoru Iwata has announced both Japanese and Western release windows for Wii Sports Resort, and thus we can assume for the required MotionPlus peripheral as well. The sequel to the Wii launch title will be out in Japan this June, with an "overseas" release the following month, according to Reuters' account of statements made at a lunch meeting. No pricing was announced. The July release is completely in line with the rumored European date called "rumor and speculation" by NoE.The Nintendo president named Wii Sports Resort as a measure to combat the Japanese Wii market's current slowdown (a situation he described as "the most unhealthy situation since its launch in Japan.") He denied that Nintendo would cut Wii prices in order to increase sales, saying, "If our products are not much different from competitors', price cuts would generate significant fresh demand. But video games are just not that kind of product."%Gallery-27741%
Nintendo of Europe calls MotionPlus release date 'rumor and speculation'
Nintendo of Europe reps have called the recent release list with MotionPlus dated on it "purely rumor and speculation," reports Eurogamer. This news comes after reports last week that July 10th would see not only the release of the MotionPlus add-on, but Nintendo's followup to Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, as well.The report also mentions Wii Fit Plus, a game/expansion/whozeewhatsit set to drop on November 19, though NoE makes no mention of the mystery title in the conversation. We've asked for comment from Nintendo of America and will update if and when we hear something from the perpetually tight-lipped publisher.
Wii MotionPlus can be oversensitive to your needs, say EA devs
The jury's still out on whether or not Nintendo follows our logic and is gonna release the Wii MotionPlus attachment before June 18th, the day Electronic Arts debuts the first compatible game Grand Slam Tennis. Regardless, the developers of that game want you to know that they had to actually to tone down the touted 1:1 responsiveness to make the game playable. We can't say that we blame them -- after all, the air resistance of a Wii remote is slightly different than that of a full tennis racket -- but we'd love to have the option to crank up that sensitivity and see just how unstable it really is. So when do we a chance to find out for ourselves, eh Nintendo?[Via Joystiq]
EA Grand Slam developer: MotionPlus is too sensitive
EA looks likely to be the first third party to ship games that support the Wii MotionPlus device with Grand Slam Tennis and Tiger Woods 10. The company may even beat Nintendo itself, unless Nintendo decides to announce a release date for Wii Sports Resort, and then ship it, before June. So, presumably, someone working on Grand Slam Tennis has had enough time with the attachment to know what's up.Thomas Singleton, producer for Grand Slam, said that the device is actually a little too good at registering one-to-one motion. He told TechRadar that "At times it's overly responsive. It had so much fidelity that at times we have limited that fidelity to make it a compelling experience and giving you full total control." So EA reduced the amount of control you have in order to give you "full total control?"%Gallery-47654%[Via CVG]
GDC09: Spring release for MotionPlus still possible
With all of the amazing stuff that Nintendo did show at GDC, we briefly forgot about what it didn't show: Wii Sports Resort and the MotionPlus device, both of which we'd expect to hear something about if they were still planned for "spring." MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo asked Reggie Fils-Aime about the missing game and peripheral, and Reggie suggested they could still make a spring release. "We haven't announced the full spring line-up ... And it feels like winter in Seattle right now."Reggie also mentioned that Wii Sports Resort's controls had been improved beyond the previous demo. "The level of full motion capability is far in excess of what we showed at E3."%Gallery-27741%
EA bundling Wii MotionPlus add-on with tennis game in Europe?
We'd already heard that Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus controller add-on was at least loosely tied to the launch of EA's Grand Slam Tennis game, but it now looks like the two may be even more closely linked than previously thought. According to a listing on Amazon.de, the add-on will actually be available in a bundle with the game (in Europe, at least), which will set you back €53.99, or just over $70, when it launches on July 2nd. As Joystiq speculates, however, this move could also be just the excuse Nintendo has been looking for to delay its own Wii Sports Resort game, which itself was supposed to come bundled with MotionPlus add-on but has been largely missing in action since its debut at E3 last year.[Via Joystiq]
Rumor: EA bundling MotionPlus with Grand Slam Tennis in Europe
NeoGAFfer CubeRevolution reported that EA was planning to release a version of Grand Slam Tennis for the Wii bundled with one of Nintendo's MotionPlus peripherals, for 59.99 Euros, just 10 Euros more than the standalone release.A listing on Amazon.de for "EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis + Wii Motion Plus" bears out CubeRevolution's claim. It appears that Nintendo really is allowing EA to bundle its first-party accessory with a third-party game in Europe this July. Amazon even took a few Euros off the price!While it's great news that people might be able to buy a MotionPlus in July, and with more bundle options, we can't help but entertain the theory that this option frees Nintendo up to delay Wii Sports Resort past the summer.%Gallery-47654%
Matsuura wants hardcore gamers to sit back and enjoy 'Major Minor'
Rhythm game pioneer Masaya Matsuura, known for popularizing the genre with titles like PaRappa the Rapper, told MTV Multiplayer that hardcore gamers should take a break and get ready to enjoy his upcoming game, Major Minor's Majestic March. "PaRappa was released about 12 or 13 years ago, and being a hardcore gamer the entire time since then must be kind of tiring," Matsuura jokingly answered when asked if the marching band game would appeal to PaRappa fans. Matsuura also fielded questions regarding Nintendo's upcoming peripheral, the Wii MotionPlus, saying Major Minor had been tested with the accessory but in the end it "didn't really make it any more fun." While the add-on could be added in the future, Matsuura hypothesizes that titles may "need to be planned" from the beginning for its use. Matsuura also throws kind words toward Harmonix, reminiscing about a time when he "implored" the team to create games and noting how proud he is of the success of Rock Band and Guitar Hero as though they were his own creations. But don't worry, Matsuura isn't prepping a frivolous lawsuit ... he was just being nice.
Nintendo of Europe stealth-announces Another Code R, Space Invaders Extreme Remix, dates Q2 titles
Nintendo of Europe released a massive list of Q2 releases for DS and Wii today. Of special interest on the Wii: New Play Control! Pikmin 2 is coming April 24, followed by Punch-Out!! in May and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat in June. Also of interest: as Kotaku points out, the MotionPlus and Wii Sports Resort are nowhere to be seen, just like in the North American schedule. But what's different from the North American schedule is the inclusion of Another Code R, Cing's Wii sequel to the DS adventure game Trace Memory/Another Code. The cel-shaded adventure game, previously rumored for European release, is now scheduled to hit stores in June.On the DS side, the biggest news is Square Enix's Space Invaders Extreme Remix on June 5. This is most likely Space Invaders Extreme 2, which has yet to be officially announced for anywhere other than Japan! Walk With Me has also been delayed to June. June is going to be crazy!%Gallery-33420%
John McEnroe headlines EA Sports Grand Slam Tennis
Electronic Arts is totally serious about including ill-tempered tennis legend John McEnroe in EA Sports' upcoming Wii release, Grand Slam Tennis. According to EA, McEnroe will be just one of several "all-time greats" in the upcoming title, which is expected to take to the court on June 16.Hopefully EA will package more than just McEnroe's likeness with the game. We can't think of a better use of the promised MotionPlus support than mirroring his juvenile antics on screen as we toss our Wii remote aside in disgust when calls don't go our way.
Joystiq hands-on: Tiger Woods 10 (Wii)
We actually got two hands firmly on a MotionPlus-sporting Wiimote for our demo of Tiger Woods 10, which, as it turned out, was a very good thing. Unlike EA's other 1:1 motion sensing sports offering, Grand Slam Tennis, we were able to more immediately appreciate what Nintendo's new tech brought to the game.Playing one hole at Bethpage Black, we first got into the swing of things (sorry) by seeing how accurately our on-screen club matched what we were doing in reality. The answer was "very accurately." Bringing the Wiimote slowly back and up, we watched as Tiger perfectly matched not only the angle we were holding it at, but the twist of the club as well. We took our first real swing and found that, yes, it was quite true-to-life: we sucked.We got better, though, and putting really seemed to benefit from the increased Wiimote precision. The slightest backward movement was shown via an on-screen meter, providing a really good sense of how much follow-through we'd want in order to sink the ball. All in all, our brief time with Mr. Woods' game was the most impressive implimentation of MotionPlus we've tried yet. You can get an even better idea of what we experienced in the above video. %Gallery-47656%
