MotionPlus

MotionPlus is a Nintendo peripheral for the Nintendo Wii that expands the console’s motion sensing by adding a gyroscope to the Wii Remote. The accessory attaches to the end of the Wii Remote and provides three-axis rotational data (pitch, yaw, and roll) in addition to the remote’s built-in accelerometer. This enables more precise and fluid interpretation of player movements, particularly for swordplay, fencing, and other gesture-based inputs.

Technically, MotionPlus supplies gyroscopic data to the Wii and works in conjunction with compatible software. Games must be designed to read the gyroscope information in order to take advantage of the enhanced sensing. While many titles support MotionPlus, not all games do, and some players use it only with specific games that benefit from improved accuracy.

MotionPlus was announced and released during the Wii era as a separate add-on that could be purchased after buying a standard Wii Remote. It carried a retail price and was marketed as a way to improve control precision for certain genres. Later, Nintendo released the Wii Remote Plus, a version of the remote with MotionPlus functionality built in, making the separate accessory less necessary. As a result, standalone MotionPlus units saw reduced use in later years, though they remained compatible with compatible games and original remotes that supported the accessory. Notable games that leveraged MotionPlus include titles in action and adventure genres that require more precise motion input.