Everybody is saying that the Wii is innovative due to its motion controls.

However, the type of motion controls available for the Wii are similar to toys and devices that have been on sale in malls and toy stores previously.

For example, there is a toy that was available (maybe still is) where you can play Ping Pong with "motion controlled" paddles. (I know because we have one in our home)

It can be argued that the Wii's innovation is more on marketing the Motion Controls and it's existing brand recognition - rather than the actual motion control itself.

Discuss.

I highly doubt these motion controls are as advanced as the wiis. Also this is the first time other than the power glove that they have been used in a gaming console.

The innovation aspect stems more from making it standard and integral to the console experience than from the technology itself. The marketing/visual design does play a big part in it as well, at least in terms of selling it to new/non-gamers.

I suppose. What I was pointing out is that "motion controls" in itself are not that new.
And for a child playing Wii Tennis, or this motion controlled Ping Pong - it does not make a difference to them.
For older children or adults, there is a difference.

Well, peanut butter was innovative on its own.  But, put that bad boy with grape jelly, and some bread.. and OOOooh yeah.. now your talkin'.

Nobody says nintendo made motion controls rather than they introduced them to home consoles.

Im pretty sure motion controls and home consoles have met a few times before. The orginial nintendo had duck hunt and they had that mat.

Those other games that use the motion control play one or two different games. The Wii takes a standard motion control system and the ability to make games using that in so many different ways. Play Zack and Wiki and tell me that it isn't innovative.

No one said that motion controls were new, therefore I don't understand the point of this thread.