Are motion controllers all they're cracked up to be?

While the Nintendo Wii has rapidly become home to a, frankly shocking, ratio of great to awful games, you can't deny that the Wiimote and nunchuck control system is impressive. This fact hasn't escaped Sony's notice either, and with the decidedly lukewarm reception and shoehorned take up of the Sixaxis controller, Sony has already decided to take a few steps back in time for its next motion sensitive input idea, and has dug up the EyeToy once more, which is set to feature new games that will see player wave big foam swords around with gusto, all in the name of fun.

Microsoft, not wanting to buck the trend is also reportedly working on its own motion sensitive controller, with the upcoming 'fall' update supposedly including support for motion sensitive devices. We've already seen pics of the fishing rod-esque creation which, in anyone's book, looks a bit on the dodgy side of ergonomics (click on the thumbnail at the bottom to take a look).

Of course, Nintendo won't sit idly by and let the competition beat it at its own game, and the upcoming MotionPlus attachment for the WiiMote is due soon. This should improve the standard unit's sensitivity, making way for more fluid, and hopefully, less cringe worthy bargain bin fodder.

So, with the big three getting ready to rumble, what does this mean for us, the gamers? Well, if the Wii is anything to go by, it means that we can look forward to a bumper harvest of gimmicky motion controlled shovelware, churned out to cater for the so-called 'casual gamer'. Expect to see Cooking Mama in PS3 and 360 with photo- realistic pork chops, and get ready to ride your own digital steed in G1 Jockey Extreme, complete with day-glo jockey apparel downloadable content. Meh.

PS3 owners wanting to wave a big soft sword about should keep their EyeToys peeled, as EyeToy Hero has been slated for a possible Christmas release.

Personally, as much as I have a genuine soft spot for the Wii and Nintendo's approach (and there have been some genuine classics on the platform), I also equally despise what has happened to their share of the game's market, and sincerely hope that this doesn't spread to the competition. My fears may be even more justified with EA's announcement earlier this year that it's going to concentrate more on the Wii, stating that it believes that too much time is spent developing for the 360 and PS3. And, although EA is far from most gamer's favourite company, it does command an undisputable market-changing presence, which could greatly sway other developer's opinions.

I'm all for change and innovation, but when it comes at the cost of quality, and sacrifice of actual game play, I'd take good old fashioned joypad controlled titles any day.