MotionPlus Wii controllers: The most expensive in console gaming

Nintendo announced last summer that it would be updating its Wiimote controllers with an add-on called MotionPlus that promises "true 1:1 response in gameplay." Now, the peripheral has a price and a US launch date.

Similar to the way Wii Play was packaged with an additional Wiimote, the $49.99 Wii Sports Resort will include the MotionPlus controller add-on, and will ship on July 26. It will also be available individually for $19.99. The unit, which plugs into the bottom port on the Wiimote, will not enhance the control of all games. Rather, it will only affect MotionPlus-compatible titles, which with the exception of Red Steel 2 by UbiSoft, will likely all be sports games.

MotionPlus adds an additional rotational sensor to the Wiimote to allow finer-tuned movements on screen. While many have praised the add-on for making the Wii's controller even more accurate, just as many have criticized Nintendo for creating the potential for the most expensive four-player controller setup out of all the consoles.

Based upon Amazon's prices, for example, a single Wii remote with MotionPlus and Nunchuck would cost $73.92. Even without the Nunchuck portion, the controller would still retail for $55.96. By comparison, a new PlayStation 3 Dualshock 3 Wireless controller costs $42.99, and an Xbox 360 wireless controller costs $36.99.