Wii Remote With Built-In MotionPlus Coming From Nintendo

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Nintendo held a major press event today, announcing all sorts of things, including the pricing and release date for the Nintendo 3DS and unveiling the Mario 25th Anniversary DSi and DSi XL. Another thing that was confirmed by Nintendo’s president – Satoru Iwata? They’re coming out with the “Wii Remote Plus”, which includes the MotionPlus peripheral built-in.

For those who aren’t up to date on Wii-related technologies, here’s the crash course: The Nintendo Wii Remote doesn’t track 1:1 movements. It’s not that precise. The MotionPlus add-on is a little sleeve-thing with additional sensors that slips onto the bottom of the device. It does add 1:1 movements (theoretically) to the Wii. Some games require the add-on, but generally, it’s been ignored by developers.

Until now, Nintendo has only been selling the MotionPlus add-on as an add-on, without incorporating it into the Wii Remote, even with new consoles sold. It’s an odd move, but now, per Iwata’s statements, they’re going to start shipping the “Wii Remote Plus”, which, as you can imagine, will be the Wii Remote with the MotionPlus tech built in. Just in time to compete with the PlayStation Move, which is 1:1 accurate.

Nintendo as also apparently miniaturized some of the sensors in the MotionPlus technology. While the original MotionPlus add-on added about an inch to the bottom of the Wii Remote when you attached it, IGN.com is reporting that the new Wii Remote Plus is the same size as the first Wii Remote. How’d they get it in there? Magic, obviously.

Nintendo says they’ll announce pricing, availablity and further details on the Wii Remote Plus at a later date.