GameCyte had its fair share of game demos this morning, but I personally saw nothing quite as intriguing as the Wii MotionPlus, the tiny gyroscope-based attachment that will ship with Wii Sports Resort this Spring. I’d long been dissatisfied with the Wiimote control scheme, due to the glaring disconnect between player input and on-screen action, and was skeptical as to whether a dongle would make a meaningful difference — but I’m happy to say that fifteen minutes of flinging frisbees turned me into a believer.
In even the very best first-party Wii titles, the Wiimote control scheme’s limitations are readily apparent — most times, you have to fully complete a motion with the Wiimote for it to register on screen. Actions always follow behind input, whether you’re swinging a golf club or throwing a punch, and that’s why my first moments with “Disc Dog” — a mode where you play fetch using a blue-and-white frisbee — left me speechless.
As I shifted the MotionPlus-equipped Wiimote in my hand, contemplating how exactly Nintendo wanted me to use the device to properly throw the disc to my waiting pup, the disc on-screen followed my every move with such precision that I could hardly believe my eyes. After the helpful Nintendo representative explained that there was no “proper” to be had, I threw that disc — just as I’ve done countless times with the real deal — and nearly landed on the target my first try. Time after time, virtual frisbees flew just as I threw them, whether off-target or on, intentional or not, lofted or thrown level with the ground.
While perhaps not quite as impressive a demonstration, Sports Resort’s “Power Cruising” jet-ski game was still quite fun, and plenty immersive. Holding the MotionPlus-equipped Wiimote/Nunchuk combo as a pair of handlebars, I powered over waves and around gates by holding the B button for thrust and leaning into each turn as shallow or steep as need be, the jet-ski mirroring my motions satisfactorily. While it’s easy enough to cheat by simply turning the Wiimote, I found myself immersed enough in the action that I actually added unnecessary motion, unconsciously bending my knees while riding over the crests of larger waves. Perhaps Nintendo might consider bringing the Balance Board into the equation as well?
A helpful Nintendo representative showed me that you can twist the handlebars for an added boost of speed, and/or to bring the watercraft’s nose up over jumps, features I abused over the course of my run for a total of 166 points — a good 37 points shy of the rep’s own lofty record.
If the first two-diversions were amusing, “Sword Fight” was practically everything I’d dreamed since I’d first heard that a game console would feature motion control. While it’s not entirely button-free (holding down B locks your Mii’s non-existent elbows at a 90-degree angle for blocking strikes) in every other way it appears to be exactly the 1:1 sword combat we’ve been waiting for developers to build into games featuring katana, fencing foil and lightsaber.
When I attempted to cleave through falling logs and pencils in the game’s practice round, the cuts precisely matched my every stroke; and when locked in combat with a real live opponent, I found the controls responsive enough that parrying my opponent’s blows was not a matter of luck (a la Wii Boxing) but actually an active, viable strategy for success.
While Nintendo could not confirm what other games Wii Sports Resort will feature, nor which other companies are currently considering the MotionPlus for their own games, a PR representative said that Nintendo is “definitely working with our third parties” to distribute the technology.
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July 18th, 2008 at 10:31 am
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July 21st, 2008 at 11:29 am
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July 28th, 2008 at 10:40 am
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August 5th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
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