Nintendo has finally announced the official release date and pricing of its newest accessory, Wii MotionPlus. But is a new accessory enough to help prevent the console losing appeal in the mainstream gaming community?
The Wii is often criticised for being too ‘gimmicky’ and various research reports prove that despite its immense popularity, gamers tend to play Nintendo’s console the least compared to its competitors, the XBOX 360 and Playstation 3.
The Wii prides itself on innovative technology and in order for Nintendo to prevent its console losing popularity it must continually be on top of new and exciting hardware and software releases. Nintendo is hoping the Wii MotionPlus will do just that.
The Wii MotionPlus accessory will be available from 11 June 2009 and will sell for a RRP of $29.95. The accessory connects to the base of the Wii Remote and Nintendo claims it will offer consumers “new levels of precision and performance”.
The Wii MotionPlus promises to track players’ movements in finer detail and with greater accuracy.
Nintendo commented that even the slightest twist of the wrist or turn of the body is replicated exactly on the screen, creating more immersion for Wii users.
To further entice Wii gamers to purchase this new accessory, Nintendo announced that it will come bundled free with its new release title, Wii Sports Resort, for a RRP of $99.95.
Wii Sports Resort is one of the first tiles compatible with the new accessory; Nintendo also claimed it will be supported by other new releases like Virtua Tennis 2009, Grand Slam Tennis and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10.
The question still remains whether or not a slight modification to the Wii’s controller can spark greater interest in the console and help retain gamers interest. Nintendo think it will, we will have to wait and see.