Motion Gaming Systems - A GameSmith Buyers Guide

THE HARDWARE

Nintendo Wii: You've probably heard of it. Nintendo's popular gaming system has sold many millions over the last four years. The Wii comes with a small sensor bar used to detect the movements of gamers who swing so-called Wii-Motes and Nunchuk controllers.

Sony Move: Released in late September, the Move is an add-on to the PS3 that utilizes an "Eye" camera and a motion controller that resembles a black Wii-mote with a brightly colored, snow cone-shaped rubber ball. The Navigation Controller is utilized for some games, but remains completely optional at this point.

Microsoft Kinect: Unlike its competitors, the Xbox 360's motion control system drops the idea of a physical controller all together and relies solely on a single camera and infrared sensor system to capture and mirror a player's body movements. A set of microphones allow players to bark voice commands.

Winner: Kinect

TARGET AUDIENCE

Wii: The Wii has been the video game version of the Trojan Horse--bringing consoles into the homes of a whole new demographic of people turned off by the overly complicated and ultra violent nature of videos games such as "Halo" and "Call of Duty."

Move: Move tries to straddle the line between the casual-friendly Wii and the usual PS3 audience. Games such as the cutesy "Eye Pet" and minigame-based "Start the Party!" would feel right at home on the Wii, yet many developers are adding Move support to regular PS3 titles like "NBA 2K11." That way you can choose whether you want to use your old controller or the new motion controls.

Kinect: Microsoft didn't just steal a page out of Nintendo's handbook for Kinect. It practically ripped off Microsoft's entire manual on how to appeal to non-gamers, kids and females.

WINNER: Move.

FEEL OF CONTROLS

Wii: The controls once felt revolutionary, but even with the "Motion Control Plus" accessory added last year to make it more accurate, Wii now feels positively creaky in comparison to Move.

Move: It not only looks like a Wii on steroids, it functions like one. Move features an accelerometer and other sensors to capture the velocity and angle of the controller. It feels both more responsive and intuitive than the Wii.

Kinect: The accuracy of the controls isn't as razor sharp as on the Move, but let's face it--the ability to control a video game using only your hands, feet and body is simply amazing.

WINNER: TIE--Kinect and Move.

THE GAMES

Wii: With its four-year head start, Nintendo has piled up a huge library of Wii games with representatives from every genre imaginable: action, strategy, sports and ones that feature Nintendo's signature characters like Mario and Zelda. There's plenty of shovelware, but titles such as "Super Mario Galaxy 2" are among the best games ever made.

Move: Of the launch titles, only "Sports Champions" stands out and it's little more than a souped-up "Wii Sports." Thankfully, Move support has been added to quality titles such as "Heavy Rain" and "Tiger Woods."

Kinect: The launch titles mostly consist of weak "Wii-lite" fare, but the Kinect may have it's ace-in-the-hole with "Dance Central." From the makers of "Rock Band," "Dance Central" has been pimped by Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres. Players literally bust-a-move in front of the camera to several dozen hip-hop and pop songs. Finally, a real dance dance revolution.

Winner: Wii

PRICE

Wii: The full Wii system with sensor bar and a single Wii Remote Plus, Nunchuk, Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort comes in at $199.

Move: Sony is selling a bundle that includes a Move controller, the Eye camera and "Sports Champions" game for $99, which is probably the best value if you already have a PS3. For PlayStation newcomers, a new system with the Move bundle will set you back $399.

Kinect: Playstation 360 owners can purchase a package that includes Kinect and the game "Kinect Adventures" for $149. There are two system bundles: a 4GB Xbox 360 system with Kinect and "Adventures" for $299, and a 250-gig HD Xbox bundle for $399. Kinect does have one price advantage: It doesn't require you to buy any extra controllers.

Winner: TIE--Kinect and Wii

VERDICT

It's difficult to pick a clear winner in the motion control war. At the current time each system has its strengths and weaknesses.

>> Kinect makes you feel like Marty McFly in "Back to the Future II" as he marvels at the sight of futuristic gadgets. It's definitely the "sexy" motion control system. Excluding the fun "Dance Central," games for the system don't measure up.

>> If you're risk averse, Wii is a fairly safe call for motion gaming because it's relatively inexpensive and already boasts a huge number of games.

>> Because it's basically an improved Wii, the Move should appeal to hardcore gamers.

(Note: A pretty version of this article appears in today's (Thursday) RedEye