The success of the Nintendo Wii has been undisputed. They have opened the door to motion controlled gaming with their Wii remote and the pack-in game, Wii Sports. They remain the leader in market share and console sales over competitors Microsoft and Sony. However, consumers and game developers alike have criticized the lack of precision, accuracy, and capability of the Wii’s controller to provide an immersive and unique game experience. Nintendo has introduced countless peripherals and accessories, but their new MotionPlus add-on plans to remedy this problem with improved motion control and better gameplay possibilities.
MotionPlus Breakdown
The Wii remote with the MotionPlus accessory attached at the bottom.
Courtesy of seth.fortuyn.
The MotionPlus accessory adds a gyroscope to the controller that helps improve motion precision and touts the ability to have 1:1 control. Unlike with the regular Wii remote, MotionPlus allows more exact replication of your movements and better translates them on the screen. They collaborated with company InvenSense to create this technology and solve the problem of poor gameplay and lack of accurate controls.
The product released this past summer and retails for a suggested retail price of $20 for a single add-on. It was also first released in a bundle with EA Sports’ Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 for $60. The recently released Wii Sports Resort is the sequel to the original Wii Sports and serves as Nintendo’s exhibition of what MotionPlus is capable of. The game retails for $50 but includes only a single MotionPlus.
One of the biggest missed opportunities is the fact that this new improved motion control will not work with older game titles. Game developers have not stated intentions of patching games to improve control and gameplay. Instead, MotionPlus will only work with future titles that provide support for the accessory. While some game developers have expressed interest in the product, game developer Ubisoft has announced that their upcoming shooter/sword-fighting title, Red Steel 2 will require MotionPlus to play. Thanks to brisk sales of the peripheral, close to a million units have been sold since early August.
How Well Does It Work?
I have spent some solid gameplay time using the add-on in both Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 and Wii Sports Resort, and I have come away impressed by the improved motion control. Golf was one of my favorite games in Wii Sports, and Tiger Woods highlights the improved gameplay nicely. There is much more control over your swing, with more precise movement required and the ability to detect your full backswing as well as subtle movements of your wrist to control the direction of the ball.
The European version of Wii Sports Resort with the attached MotionPlus.
Courtesy of dreamspower.
Wii Sports Resort represents a nice variety pack of mini-games that show off a multitude of gameplay types to both consumers and developers. Games include Sword Fighting, Basketball, Water Sports, Archery, Frisbee, the return of both Golf and Bowling, as well as many more. Many of these games are fun, but it can be harder to discern the impact of the MotionPlus in certain games. Sword Fighting is one of the best representations of the possible 1:1 control, but it can be harder to tell why games like Basketball couldn’t have been done with the stock Wii remote.
So Is It Worth It?
I applaud Nintendo for trying to improve their technology and allow both consumers and game developers a better experience with the Wii. Both Sony and Microsoft are working on their own motion controlled gaming experiences slated to release next year, so Nintendo’s proactive strategy is good for an overall improved motion gameplay experience. With the Wii reducing the barrier-to-entry to play video games, these steps should help the gaming industry as a whole and add even more legitimacy to this new controller type.
The games I’ve tried show that the MotionPlus does work as described, but it will be up to the developers to create interesting and fun game concepts. The fact that the peripheral costs $20 for each controller indicates quite a hefty investment for Wii owners. I don’t necessarily approve of Nintendo’s peripheral strategy, but the MotionPlus provides a lot of opportunity if both gamers and developers want to take a chance on it.
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