E3 2008: Wii Motion Plus 'precision' add-on intro'd

LOS ANGELES--As the latest NPD sales figures show, the Wii is far and away the most popular console in North America. However, that doesn't mean the platform is immune from criticism. One sore spot with many is the Wii Remote controller, which translates real-world motion into in-game action. Though revolutionary, the Remote has been accused of not being as precise as other systems' controllers or the venerable-but-surgical keyboard and mouse.

Though it's never admitted any problems with the Wii Remote, today Nintendo announced a new peripheral designed to enhance its "precision." Called the Wii Motion Plus, the add-on (pictured) snaps into the base of the Wii Remote, much like Nyko's litigiously challenged wireless Nunchuck attachment.

According to Nintendo, the Wii Motion Plus "allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player's arm position and orientation" making "every slight movement players make with their wrist or arm...rendered identically in real time on the screen."

Nintendo gave no reason as to why the Wii Remote would need fine-tuning, nor did it offer any details about the Wii MotionPlus' price or launch date. The company did promise more details at tomorrow's E3 Media & Business Summit press event, which GameSpot will be streaming and live-blogging starting at 9 a.m. PT.