MotionPlus

Evolution of the console: Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii

Six years. That's nearly how long it's been since the Xbox 360 first debuted back in the fall of 2005. The next year, the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3 followed.

Typically, new consoles emerge no later than five years after the debut of the last iteration. This generation seems to be the exception. Perhaps that's because of the ripples of a recession, but we can also credit the Wii, PS3, and 360 for being hardy, versatile consoles. In fact, looking back at what these systems were compared with what they are now, it's hard not to … Read more

FlingSmash bundle: Best way to buy a new Wii Remote

Chances are, if you own a Wii, you're going to need an extra controller sooner or later. Now's an excellent time to get one, since Nintendo has revamped its lineup of Wii Remotes to integrate MotionPlus inside. The new controllers, called Wii Remote Plus, look exactly like the old Wii remotes (check the box to make sure it's the new version), doing away with the annoying plastic plug-on that MotionPlus used to require.

The Wii Remote Plus comes in two retail packages: on its own in four different colors for $39.99, or packed with the game … Read more

Motion control shoot-out: Xbox 360 Kinect vs. PlayStation Move vs. Nintendo Wii Remote Plus

Clearly Nintendo did something right: years after incorporating motion controls into the Wii, the competition is finally following suit. With the Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect, Sony PlayStation Move, and even the Nintendo Wii Remote Plus controller all landing during the same holiday season, it's only natural to compare and contrast these three similar-yet-different systems.

Does evolution equal fun? Motion control might be the future, but the present three options all have their ups and downs. Check out our debate below and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.

Who is it for?

Dan: Breaking it down into cliches of which audience goes for each console, the PlayStation Move feels like it's aimed at self-identified gamers--those who are into shooting, racing, and, well, more shooting. You get that vibe through everything from the Kevin Butler TV commercials to the console's information design, which at times seems almost joyfully counterintuitive.

The Xbox 360 Kinect is courting in equal parts the home theater enthusiast and the novelty seeker. Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus, at the same time, has quietly caught up by incorporating its ill-conceived external dongle into a regular-size Wiimote, but will the casual Wii audience go back and buy new control sticks?

Scott: The Move is for "hard-core gamers," according to Sony, and the button-covered design may come off as a bit intimidating for the Wii crowd. The Kinect is controller-free, and the motion-heavy gaming is perfect for fitness nuts, families, and casual players with luxurious living rooms. The Wii is still for nearly anyone, but mainly kids, casual gamers, and those without HDTVs.

Setup and space requirements

Dan: Finding a place to stick a Wii sensor bar used to seem like such a hassle; if we only knew how good we had things back then. The simplicity of that nearly passive Wii sensor bar seems positively nostalgic now; not only do the Kinect and PlayStation Move require bulky external Webcams, but both cameras are hard-wired and sure to drive the cord-conscious crazy.

The PlayStation Move is actually fairly forgiving in its space requirements, at least compared with the Kinect. Maybe the tens of millions of people living in New York aren't Microsoft's target market, because we have yet to speak to an NYC apartment dweller who has not had to clamber over their sofa to set up the Kinect (and you can forget about playing many of the multiplayer games). Not to overemphasize this point, but the rigid space requirements for setting up and using the Kinect are incredibly annoying. … Read more

Wii Motion Plus bundle

As of May 9, 2010, Nintendo began offering an updated Nintendo Wii bundle. That bundle included the Wii console (available in black or white), a Wii Remote controller, a matching MotionPlus accessory, nunchuk controller, Wii Sports, and Wii Sports Resort--all for $199.

As of November 2010, this bundle will be replaced by an even newer one. The fall 2010 bundle will include the Wii console (available in black or white), a Wii Remote Plus controller (which includes Motion Plus support built-in), nunchuk controller, Wii Sports, and Wii Sports Resort--all for $199. Anybody looking to purchase a new Wii … Read more

Wii Remote Plus official, MotionPlus onboard

While most of last night's Nintendo Conference 2010 news was aimed at the 3DS and its release date, and Game Boy Virtual Console, we also learned about a new controller for the Wii.

Just after we finished reviewing the Nyko Wand+--the first Wii remote to pack in MotionPlus hardware onboard--Nintendo has announced plans to release its own all-in-one MotionPlus controller. We had speculated about such a device last week when a leaked photo of box art surfaced, but now Nintendo has officially confirmed the details. We imagine that the Wii Remote Plus will eventually replace the current Wii … Read more

Nyko ships Wand+ with Wii MotionPlus built in

When Nintendo released its MotionPlus attachment last summer, we really liked the additional degree of control it offered, but didn't love the fact that it required a bulky add-on to the standard Wii remote.

Sure, we figured Nintendo would have addressed such a thing with a Wii remote redesign, but instead Nyko has beaten them to the punch.

Today, Nyko begins shipping the Wand+ Wii remote. We first got our hands on the Wand+ at CES 2010 and really liked the new soft-feel rubberized surface that coats the entire remote. It appears identical to the original Wand controller, save … Read more

BlackBerry Torch on the horizon

Links from Tuesday's episode of Loaded:

Research in Motion unveils the Torch Android overtakes iPhone in smartphone market CBS content finally coming to Hulu? Connecticut Attorney General warns Amazon, Apple over e-book prices Mac Office 2011 gets a release date

So now the iPhone has MotionPlus

Among the list of new iPhone features was the announcement of an included gyroscope in addition to the accelerometer that's already packed inside the device. Steve Jobs sounded pretty confident that this will improve the overall gaming experience on the iPhone. That sounds great on paper, but did it help the Wii when Nintendo debuted Wii MotionPlus a year ago?

Sure, Wii Sports Resort is still the best example of a game that takes advantage of the added precision that MotionPlus offers, but only a handful of titles released since really show major enhancements the extra accuracy is capable … Read more

Get a Wii MotionPlus add-on for $12.99

Want to upgrade your Wii controllers with the coveted MotionPlus accessory? Walk into any Best Buy or Target and you'll pay $20 for the privilege. If you have four controllers, well, that's an $80 bill (plus sales tax) you could probably live without.

If you're willing to go the knockoff route, Meritline has unbranded Wii MotionPlus add-ons for $12.99 shipped. At least, I think they're unbranded. Nowhere on the product page does the word Nintendo appear.

On the other hand, they sure look just like the real deal, with the replacement silicone case and everything. … Read more