Wii MotionPlus

The Wii MotionPlus was announced by Nintendo in a press release on July 14, 2008,{{cite web| url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/eMMuRj_N6vntHPDycCJAKWhEO9zBvyPH|title=Introducing Wii MotionPlus, Nintendo's upcoming accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote|publisher=Nintendo|date=July 14, 2008|access-date=July 14, 2008}} and revealed the next day at a press conference at the E3 Media & Business Summit. It was released in June 2009. On May 3, 2010, Nintendo announced that starting May 9, 2010, the company would include its Wii Sports Resort game and MotionPlus controller with new consoles with no price increase.{{cite web| url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-10797_3-20003955-235.html|title=Wii to bundle Sports Resort, MotionPlus|publisher=CNET|date=May 3, 2010|access-date=May 3, 2010}}

The Wii MotionPlus was developed by Nintendo in collaboration with game development tool company AiLive.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/ailive-reveals-livemove2-for-wii-motionplus|title=AILive Reveals LiveMove2 For Wii MotionPlus|access-date=July 30, 2008|date=July 15, 2008|publisher=Gamasutra.com}} The sensor used is an InvenSense IDG-600{{cite web |url=http://invensense.com/mems/gyro/documents/articles/071508.html |title=InvenSense IDG-600 motion sensing solution showcased in Nintendo's new Wii MotionPlus accessory |access-date=July 15, 2008 |date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=InvenSense |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703002415/http://invensense.com/mems/gyro/documents/articles/071508.html |archive-date=July 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} or IDG-650 in later units, designed in accordance to Nintendo's specification;{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2008/08/wii-motion-sensor.ars |title=Of gyroscopes and gaming: the tech behind the Wii MotionPlus |access-date=August 26, 2008 |last=Caron |first=Frank |date=August 25, 2008 |work=Ars File: Technology and Culture |publisher=Ars Technica |page=2}}{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/893/893192p2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080727043515/http://wii.ign.com/articles/893/893192p2.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 27, 2008 |title=Interview: Wii Motion Creators |access-date=July 29, 2008 |last=Hatfield |first=Daemon |date=July 23, 2008 |work=IGN Wii |publisher=IGN Entertainment |page=2 }} with a high dynamic range, high mechanical shock tolerance, high temperature and humidity resistance, and small physical size.{{cite web |title=Combining Two Sensors |url=http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/wiimotionplus/vol1_page2.jsp |work=Iwata Asks: Wii MotionPlus |publisher=Nintendo |page=2 |access-date=June 4, 2009 }}

The Wii MotionPlus was conceived soon after the completion of the initial Wii Remote design, to address developer demand for more capable motion sensing, but was only announced after the sensors could be purchased in sufficient volume at a reasonable price.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/interview-satoru-iwata-talks-wii-motionplus-supplydemand--more/ |title=Interview: Satoru Iwata Talks Wii MotionPlus, Supply/Demand & More |access-date=July 22, 2008 |last=Brightman |first=James |date=July 22, 2008 |work=GameDaily BIZ |publisher=AOL |page=2}} During a developer round table discussion at E3 2008, Wii Sports Resort producer Katsuya Eguchi discussed the potential influence of the Wii MotionPlus on the Wii's existing market, stating that Nintendo was looking at whether the MotionPlus capability will be built into the Wii Remote in the future, or kept "as an attachment we only use for certain software."{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/next-wiimotes-could-have-motionplus-built-in |title=Next Wiimotes may integrate MotionPlus |access-date=July 17, 2008 |last=Gibson |first=Ellie |date=July 17, 2008 |work=Eurogamer.net |publisher=Eurogamer Network}} Nintendo ultimately chose the former by releasing the Wii Remote Plus in late 2010.

From June to August 2009, Club Nintendo in Japan held a contest wherein members who purchased and registered a copy of Wii Sports Resort would be entered into a draw to win a sky blue Wii MotionPlus in one of 5,000 blue controller sets.{{cite web|first=John|last=Tanaka|title=Nintendo Shares Summer Plans for Japan|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/991/991580p1.html|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment|date=June 4, 2009|access-date=June 4, 2009}}{{cite web|author=TheNintend0Channel |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eHPhWVPrYE |title=Club Nintendo Goodies Episode 4 |publisher=YouTube |date=January 12, 2010 |access-date=March 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218161843/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eHPhWVPrYE |archive-date=December 18, 2015 }} In November 2009, a black Wii MotionPlus was released to coincide with the release of the black Wii console. Bundles containing a black Wii Remote and MotionPlus attachment were also released. In North America, non-white Wii Remotes are bundled with a MotionPlus of matching color for black Wii Remotes and a white MotionPlus unit with a translucent jacket for blue and pink Wii Remotes. In a 2010 Nintendo Conference, the Wii Remote Plus was announced, which places the function of the MotionPlus into a regular sized Wii remote. It would be the same as the Wii Remote, but the curved text "Wii MotionPlus INSIDE" is added below the Wii logo.

The device incorporates a dual-axis{{cite web|url=http://invensense.com/mems/gyro/documents/articles/071508.html|title=INVENSENSE IDG-600 MOTION SENSING SOLUTION SHOWCASED IN NINTENDO'S NEW Wii MotionPlus ACCESSORY|access-date=March 25, 2010|publisher=InvenSense|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703002415/http://invensense.com/mems/gyro/documents/articles/071508.html|archive-date=July 3, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} tuning fork gyroscope,{{cite web|url= http://www.invensense.com/company/technology.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080416215417/http://www.invensense.com/company/technology.html|archive-date= April 16, 2008|title=MEMS Gyroscope Technology|access-date=July 17, 2008|publisher=InvenSense}} and a single-axis gyroscope which can determine rotational motion. The information captured by the angular rate sensor can then be used to distinguish true linear motion from the accelerometer readings.{{cite video|title=Gyroscopes and Accelerometers Compared |url=http://invensense.com/support/FLVPlayer_Progressive.swf?skinName=Halo_Skin_3&streamName=../Library/InvenSense5_VP6_512K |format=Flash Video |publisher=InvenSense |access-date=July 17, 2008 |time=00:00:37 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} This allows for the capture of more complex movements than possible with the Wii Remote alone.{{cite web |title=The Gyro Sensor: A New Sense Of Control |url=http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/wiimotionplus/vol1_page1.jsp |work=Iwata Asks: Wii MotionPlus |publisher=Nintendo |page=1 |access-date=June 4, 2009 |quote=No, the intention was to integrate the two from the very start. This is why when we use the term Wii MotionPlus, we are referring to the accessory with the Wii MotionPlus Jacket attached. }}{{cite video|date=July 28, 2008| title=Wii MotionPlus and AiLive's LiveMove 2|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acND4sO3pJs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/acND4sO3pJs |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|format=Flash Video|publisher= AiLive|access-date=July 31, 2008|time=00:04:13}}{{cbignore}} To ensure that it functions properly, the MotionPlus can be calibrated before or during gameplay by placing the Wii Remote facedown (so that the B Button is facing up) on a flat surface and keeping it motionless for at most 10 seconds until an on-screen notification indicates that calibration is complete.{{cite web |title=Nintendo Support: How to Recalibrate the Wii Remote Plus |url=https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2948/~/how-to-recalibrate-the-wii-remote-plus |website=Nintendo of America Support |publisher=Nintendo of America |access-date=6 September 2020}}

The Wii MotionPlus features a pass-through External Extension Connector, allowing other expansions such as the Nunchuk or Classic Controller to be used simultaneously with the device. Because the Wii MotionPlus extends the length of the Wii Remote, making it impossible to clip the Nunchuk's connector hook to the wrist strap, the MotionPlus dongle features a tethered socket cap that can be snapped onto the connector hook to secure it from abrupt movement should it be forcibly disconnected.{{cite book|title=Wii MotionPlus Operation Manual|publisher=Nintendo|page=3|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/Wii_Motion_Plus_Tri.pdf|access-date=27 December 2017}} The attachment has a color-coded mechanical slide switch for locking the clip release. When attached to the (original, non-MotionPlus) Wii Remote, the add-on unit extends the length of the controller body{{cite web |title=Easy To Hold With Both Hands |url=http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/wiimotionplus/vol1_page3.jsp |work=Iwata Asks: Wii MotionPlus |publisher=Nintendo |page=3 |access-date=June 4, 2009 }} by approximately {{convert|1.5|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6194443/index.html |title=Wii MotionPlus Hands-On |last=Yu |first=James |date=July 17, 2008 |work=GameSpot |publisher=CNET}}{{Update after|2010|11}} Each Wii MotionPlus includes a longer version of the Wii Remote Jacket to accommodate the added length, and according to Nintendo, the Wii MotionPlus is unsafe to use without it.{{cite book|title=Wii MotionPlus Operation Manual|publisher=Nintendo|location=Inside front cover|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/Wii_Motion_Plus_Tri.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310072159/https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/Wii_Motion_Plus_Tri.pdf|archive-date=10 March 2016|access-date=27 December 2017}} However, the newer Wii Remote Plus eliminates the need for such elongated jackets by integrating the MotionPlus technology into the Remote itself.

The device is only used by games that have been specifically developed to use its functionality. The title screens of these games also provide an option to access a series of instructional videos created by Nintendo to help players learn how to attach and remove the accessory, recalibrate it, connect external controllers to it or otherwise disconnect them. It can remain attached to the Wii Remote when playing games that do not support it without causing any problems, but it will not enhance gameplay. The add-on version of the device is incompatible with any Wii Remote accessories that snugly encase the Remote itself, such as the Wii Wheel, the Wii Zapper, guitar controllers for Guitar Hero and Rock Band games and NHL Slapshot's hockey stick accessory.

{{main article|Wii Remote#Wii Remote Plus}}

File:Wii Remote Plus and Wii MotionPlus comparison.jpg

In September 2010, rumors circulated of a Wii Remote being released with built-in Wii MotionPlus, after the upcoming FlingSmash was revealed to be bundled with "Wii Remote Plus".{{cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=September 24, 2010 |title=Wii Remote Plus spotted |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/wii-remote-plus-spotted |website=Eurogamer |access-date=June 14, 2024}}{{cite web |last=Leahy |first=Brian |date=September 24, 2010 |title=Rumor: New Wii Remote with Built-in MotionPlus |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/65731/rumor-new-wii-remote-with |website=Shacknews |access-date=June 14, 2024}} Nintendo initially declined to comment, but later announced the device on September 29, 2010, confirming it to be a Wii Remote with MotionPlus built in, allowing players to use peripherals like the Wii Zapper and Wii Wheel without having to remove Wii MotionPlus from the Wii Remote. It competes with the Kinect and the PlayStation Move with PlayStation Eye motion controllers for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 home consoles, respectively. Nintendo later announced that the remote would be available in white, black, blue and pink. It was released in Australia on October 28, 2010, in Europe on November 5, 2010, in North America on November 7, 2010, and in Japan on November 11, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=20349|title=Wii Remote Plus coming to Japan next month|author=Thomas East|publisher=Official Nintendo Magazine|access-date=October 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013001654/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=20349|archive-date=October 13, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} It was also released in red as part of a bundle containing Wii Sports, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, a red Wii console, and red Nunchuk.{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/red-wii-and-dsi-xl-bundles-wii-remote-plus-and-flingsmash-in-n|title=Red Wii and DSi XL bundles, Wii Remote Plus, and FlingSmash in North America Nov. 7|first=JC|last=Fletcher|publisher=Joystiq|access-date=October 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024192034/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/red-wii-and-dsi-xl-bundles-wii-remote-plus-and-flingsmash-in-n|archive-date=October 24, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

In 2011, it was announced that the European version of Wii Play: Motion would be bundled with the red Wii Remote Plus,{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/116/1161209p1.html |publisher=IGN |first=Lucas |last=Thomas |title=Wii Play Gets an Unexpected Sequel |date=April 12, 2011 |access-date=April 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416065547/http://wii.ign.com/articles/116/1161209p1.html |archive-date=April 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}} while the black Wii Remote Plus was also included with other versions of the game. All Wii Family Edition units contained a Wii Remote Plus. The first was released in North America on October 23, 2011, in black, along with a black Wii Family Edition console, black Nunchuk, New Super Mario Bros. Wii and a limited edition soundtrack for Super Mario Galaxy. The second was released in Europe on November 4, 2011, in white, along with a white Wii Family Edition console, white Nunchuk, Wii Party and Wii Sports. The third was also released in Europe on November 18, 2011, in blue, along with a blue Wii Family Edition console, blue Nunchuk and Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The fourth, which is a revision of the North American bundle, was released on October 28, 2012, along with the initial Wii Sports duology. A red Wii Remote Plus and red Nunchuk is also included with every Wii Mini unit.

At E3 2011, it was revealed that a gold Wii Remote Plus with the royal Hylian Crest superimposed over its speaker would be released alongside The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110611020451/http://www.esperino.com/e3-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-due-end-of-year-gold-tri-force-wii-remote-announced E3 2011: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Due End of Year; Gold Tri-Force Wii Remote Announced]}}. Esperino.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-23.[http://e3src.nintendo.com/presentation/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610125750/http://e3src.nintendo.com/presentation/|date=June 10, 2011}} It was available as part of a bundle with Skyward Sword for a limited time.[http://wii.ign.com/articles/119/1191301p1.html The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Box Art, Bundle Revealed - IGN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925035854/http://wii.ign.com/articles/119/1191301p1.html |date=September 25, 2011 }}. Wii.ign.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-23.

After the Wii U, the Wii's successor, was launched, Nintendo began releasing Wii Remote Plus controllers that are themed off of characters from the Mario universe, starting with Mario and Luigi on November 1, 2013,{{cite web|last1=King|first1=Kenny|title=Nintendo Announces Wii U Deluxe Set with Mario and Luigi Games Plus New Mario and Luigi Themed Controllers on the Way|url=http://www.biogamergirl.com/2013/10/nintendo-announces-wii-u-deluxe-set.html|website=BioGamer Girl|access-date=29 December 2017}} to accompany the release of the Wii U Deluxe set. Months later, Nintendo released a Princess Peach-themed Wii Remote Plus, on April 24, 2014.{{cite web|last1=Creegan|first1=Dermot|title=Princess Peach Wii Remote Plus Announced For Release|url=https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2014/04/18/princess-peach-wii-remote-plus-announced-for-release/81767/|website=HardcoreGamer|date=April 18, 2014 |access-date=29 December 2017}} Over a year later, Nintendo also released Wii Remote Plus controllers themed off of Bowser, a Toad and Yoshi in the fall of 2015 to accompany the releases of Super Mario Maker and Yoshi's Woolly World. These three Remotes were exclusively available at GameStop in North America.{{cite web|last1=Seedhouse|first1=Alex|title=Bowser, Toad and Yoshi Wii Remote Plus Swing Toward North American Release|url=https://www.nintendo-insider.com/bowser-toad-and-yoshi-wii-remote-plus-swing-toward-north-american-release/|website=Nintendo Insider|date=September 2015 |access-date=29 December 2017}}

Before Nintendo eventually released the Wii Remote Plus, third-party companies have expressed interest in designing and produced Wii Remotes with the MotionPlus technology integrated into them, eliminating the need for a separate add-on.

• Nyko revealed the Nyko Wand+ at CES 2009, a Wii Remote alternative with the MotionPlus functionality built into the device, saving players from having to change plugins.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5442745|title=Nyko's Wand+ Has Wii MotionPlus Built Right In|author=Mike Fahey|publisher=Kotaku}}
• In Europe, snakebyte launched its Premium Remote XL +, with built-in Wii MotionPlus,{{Cite web |url=http://www.snakebyte-europe.com/shop/product_info.php?language=en&info=p74_Wii-Premium-Remote-XL--.html |title=Snakebyte Direct – Wii Premium Remote XL + – white |access-date=November 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716095827/http://www.snakebyte-europe.com/shop/product_info.php?language=en&info=p74_Wii-Premium-Remote-XL--.html |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} and its Minimote, a smaller version of the Premium Remote, for children.[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Snakebyte-Minimote-Red-Wii/dp/B004071TMW Snakebyte Minimote – Red (Wii): Amazon.co.uk: PC & Video Games]
• Memorex launched a series of controllers in 2011 under the "Game Controller Plus" moniker. Available in black, pink and blue, the Game Controller Plus line has Wii MotionPlus functionality built in.{{cite web|url=http://www.memorex.com/en-us/Accessories/Gaming/Game-Controller-Plus-for-Wii1/|title=Memorex Wii Controller Plus product page|access-date=July 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718013943/http://www.memorex.com/en-us/Accessories/Gaming/Game-Controller-Plus-for-Wii1/|archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

Developers at Electronic Arts have noted that the fidelity of the device can be too sensitive{{cite web|url= http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/consoles/ea-nintendo-s-wii-motionplus-is-over-responsive--590232|title=EA: Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus is 'over responsive'|date=April 3, 2009 |access-date=April 3, 2009}} and at times inaccurate,{{Cite web |date=2009-04-04 |title=EA: Wii MotionPlus's super "fidelity" can cause it to be "overly responsive" |url=https://www.vg247.com/ea-wii-motionpluss-super-fidelity-can-cause-it-to-be-overly-responsive |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=VG247 |language=en}} although technology reviewers have likened the improved accuracy as to the leap from the fidelity of VHS to that of Blu-ray.{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/hands-on-nintendos-wii-motionplus-587634|title=Hands-on: Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus|access-date=April 3, 2009}}

Game reviewers at Official Nintendo Magazine have called the device "100% accurate" and stated that movements are "captured extremely accurately".{{cite web|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=9576|title=Official Nintendo Magazine answer E3-related questions|access-date=July 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620054921/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=9576|archive-date=June 20, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

In North America, approximately 374,000 Wii MotionPlus units were sold in June 2009 (including nearly 205,000 units sold as part of a bundle with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10), according to the NPD Group.{{cite web |title=Nintendo DS Franchise Sells More than All Home Consoles Combined in June |url=http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=19059 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806081915/http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=19059 |publisher=Nintendo of America |date=July 16, 2009 |archive-date=August 6, 2009 |access-date=July 29, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

In Japan, the Wii MotionPlus sold approximately 650,000 units in its opening week (including units sold as part of a bundle with Wii Sports Resort), with about 296,000 sold as standalone units.{{cite web |script-title=ja:週間ソフト＆ハードセルスルーランキング（2009年6月22日～6月28日） |url=http://www.m-create.com/ranking/|publisher=Media Create|language=ja|access-date=July 7, 2009}}{{cite web|first=Anoop|last=Gantayat|title=IGN: Wii Sports Resort Takes Over Japan|url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/100/1001557p1.html|work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date=July 7, 2009}}

• Motion capture
• PlayStation Move
• PlayStation Eye
• Razer Hydra
• Kinect

{{reflist|2}}

• [http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160518094136/http://www.wiimotionplus.co.uk/ Wii MotionPlus at Nintendo UK]

{{Wii}}

{{Wii U}}

{{Nintendo hardware}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wii Motionplus}}

Category:Products introduced in 2009

MotionPlus