According to "NPD Group" console sales for the Nintendo Wii beat out the Microsoft Xbox 360 almost by 2 to 1 in March 2009 with sales figures exceeding 600,000. The second-hand market is also booming with many a discount wii console available in the classifieds and on places like eBay. It's no wonder Microsoft have been scratching their heads trying to come up with an answer to this problem which has been plaguing them for a while.



Enter the Xbox 360 video camera unit... Microsoft's attempt to tap into the casual player market which has done so well for Nintendo. The video camera will allow players to control games simply by moving their bodies. As far as concepts go it's nothing new but the big difference with this system is there is no need to hold the controller in one's hand. The video camera analyses bodily movements and translate that into gaming motion. No one is denying that this is Microsoft's attempt to get one over on Nintendo's ever popular Wii game console.

As the popular saying goes, "if you can't beat them join them" and this is exactly what Microsoft appear to be doing. I hate to say it but could they be playing catch up once again? If history has taught us anything it is that innovation usually trumps the copycats and the company who successfully introduces new technology into the arena will more often than not end up as the successful one. With so many Wii systems for sale in the second-hand market as well as new consoles this just confirms how popular these units are.

However, this doesn't mean to say that Microsoft's efforts may be the exception to the rule in this case. Many commentators in the gaming arena are saying that this controller innovation could be a deciding moment for Microsoft and has the potential to reposition Microsoft as real competition for the Nintendo Wii. Keep your eyes open! You're going to see these controllers on the shelves in the not too distant future and many diehard Microsoft gamers are waiting with bated breath!

Although I will make a prediction now that these controllers will probably give Microsoft a temporary blip but it is highly likely that Nintendo will release something similar in order to consolidate their market share. I wouldn't expect to see a glut of discount wii systems any time soon because of this development but keep your eyes peeled because there could be big changes on the way. We'll have to wait until next year though before we see if Microsoft's new gizmo makes the grade.