Next Zelda only playable if you have Wii MotionPlus

Want to play the next Zelda game on Wii whenever the hell it comes out, but haven’t got a Wii MotionPlus yet? Then tough titties, you’ll need to invest in a MotionPlus dongle before you even take your first step in Hyrule.

According to the latest issue of Japanese gaming mag Famitsu, the game will only be playable with a Wii MotionPlus attached to your Wii Remote. Nintendo producer Eiji Aonuma reckons that using MotionPlus to control hero Link’s sword “just feels so natural. Link’s sword and the controller that you’re holding become one.”

Which sounds great ‘n all, but I have a beef.

When I first heard about MotionPlus, I was annoyed, because Nintendo were selling a $25 add-on that granted the Wii Remote capabilities that we were promised in the first place. It’s great tech, but it should have been in the Wiimote from day one. After a bit of time passed, I stopped caring for a bit. And now, I’m annoyed all over again.

Why? Because although I don’t mind the odd Wii MotionPlus-exclusive game creeping out, this is freaking Zelda. Nintendo knows it will sell several million copies. And it knows that if Zelda shifts (say) ten million copies, it’ll probably be able to push another three million $25 MotionPlus dongles on people who just want to damn well play the $50 game they bought. Way to shit on the fans, Nintendo. Real nice.

The only way they can rescue this? Bundle a free MotionPlus dongle with the game. It’ll never happen, but we can pray.

[Via Andriasang]