PS2 does motion-sensitive gaming

This Christmas, PS2 gamers will be able to play motion-sensitive games. We may not be talking Wii Sports here, but this is a commendable step in the right direction. Having played three different titles, each available for %26pound;29.99 with a motion-sensitive controller, we can say that it works. Not quite as well as a Wii-mote, but it still works.

The three games in question are Realplay Puzzlesphere, Realplay Pool and Realplay Racing. Take a look at the video and then we'll have a look at each one in turn.

Realplay Puzzlesphere
This gives you a wireless orb which senses how far you tip it and in which direction. This allows you to roll a ball around a maze - very much like a sort of futuristic sans-simian Super Monkey Ball. You must get to the exit as quickly as possible, before making a choice of path before heading to the next round. If you think of OutRun, with the track map at the end, you'll get a good idea of how this works.

The motion-sensitivity is solid and we were able to roll the ball pretty much wherever we wanted, although there does seem to be quite a big dead zone in the middle, so fine control is difficult. You can hold a button down to slow your Puzzlesphere, which helps. It's not bad, but we're not sure how fun the game would be after extended play.

Above: Realplay Puzzlesphere has a balance sensor that knows which way you're tilting your hand

Justin Towell

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.