It would be a mistake to think the Move brings motion-controlled gaming to the PlayStation 3, as Sony had previously built (albeit in limited fashion) this new 'gimmick' with the original Sixaxis controller, which offered a basic accelerometer on top of the original DualShock controller design - minus the shock, of course.  Likewise, the PlayStation Eye, an update to the original EyeToy video camera, offered slight object tracking and video capturing abilities for what Sony hoped would add a further layer of immersion to the PlayStation 3's powerful HD gaming experience.  That never happened, as neither option was ever truly adopted by the console's development communities and have largely been forgotten.

If the Sixaxis and Eye show us a Sony fumbling to keep up with the Joneses (Nintendo and Microsoft), then the PlayStation Move has them back in their comfort zone, and ready to join the motion-controlled gaming revolution. Expertly engineered and super-comfy, the Move - and secondary Navigational controller - offers up a true 1:1 motion-controlled experience with full single, dual, and even 'broken-plank' control with used together.  They may have the look and feel to succeed, but can Sony's offerings help revolutionize a gaming element they initially derided?

The Set-Up

Setting up the Move isn't unlike that of Nintendo's Wii console, meaning you'll have to say goodbye to the days of simply plugging your console into your display and pushing the power button.  The key difference is that the PS3 is an established platform, meaning that, depending on your current set-up, you'll have to make certain concessions in getting things to work correctly.  You'll want to first set-up and position the PlayStation Eye camera, as positioning it is key in getting the Move to function correctly. Pairing the Move (via Bluetooth) is as simple as plugging a mini-USB cable (which isn't included) into the PS3 console and then into the Move itself, then pressing the Home button on the controller.  The process is repeated if you have a Navicon controller, though a standard DualShock can be used in its place.

Another change will be your environment, as many of the Move's games have been designed to take advantage of space - namely yours.  Those of you with cluttered space between yourself and the display will probably want to clean house now, as some games will require wider berths (Sports Champions) while others open areas (EyePet) to function properly.

Because the Move is so fundamentally connected to the Eye camera, you'll want to be aware of your room's lighting levels, as the camera is used to track movements via the Move's rubber ball (see below).  Rooms that are lit too brightly or have reflective surfaces may cause problems with accuracy or tracking, and while the Move's ball changes color to compensate, this doesn't always help.  Another issue with lighting is related to the Eye's poor camera sensor, as room's without adequate lighting will result those with darker skin (myself included) not being recognized accurately.  While these issues are present, my experience with them were few and far between, but they're still definitely worth mentioning.

The Hardware

The Move controller itself is noticeably smaller than it looks in its publicity photos, and much lighter.  Its front is has many of the familiar PlayStation buttons (triangle, square, X, circle/home), with start/select regulated to the sides and out-of-sight. New buttons include the flat Move panel (replacing the d-pad) and pressure-sensitive "T" trigger on the underside.  It feels like a perfect compliment to the original DualShock and its obvious that Sony took great care in striking the right balance in size and weight, and the molded plastic feels of the highest-quality.

One of the Move's strangest innovations, its 'Jack in the Box'-style rubber ball, is actually used by the Eye camera to better track visual feedback, and routinely changes color to facilitate more accurate movements.  Just remember the ball is not a button; more than one person who happened by couldn't resist squeezing it during my testing, perhaps assuming this would offer some secondary function (like clicking the DualShock's analog sticks).  If you've got pets than you may want to keep the Move locked away, as the ball is prone to attracting hair (especially cat hair) and may require some grooming if you're not careful.

The Navicon attachment is designed to work in tandem with the standard Move controller, much like Nintendo's Nunchuk, only Sony's version is completely wireless (via Bluetooth) and acts more like a substitute DualShock controller.  The front is packed with familiar PlayStation buttons, including the original DualShock's d-pad and single analog stick (which can also be used when clicked), X/O buttons, and Home button.  On the back are two triggers (L1, L2), one of which is the same comfortable pressure-sensitive trigger seen on the Move itself.  It’s a bit smaller and lighter than the Move controller but still very comfortable in hand, properly offering a 'broken plank' set-up that rivals Nintendo’s own.  Check out the full review of the Navigation controller right HERE

Those already familiar with the PlayStation Eye know what to expect from Sony's camera, but considering its unpopularity, let's assume you're coming in blind (which is probably the case).  Connecting the camera to the PlayStation is as simple as plugging in the attached USB cable, then switching the lens to wide-angle mode by turning the lens dial clockwise.  You'll know everything is working properly when the light on the camera itself remains solid blue, and Sony recommends placing it below the center of your television for the best results.  Be warned that the USB cable itself is relatively short, and you may want to think about investing in a good extension cable if your console is further than two feet from your display.

Using The Move

To get you started, the Move comes with a Blu-ray disc absolutely stuffed with playable demos to help get you started.  Included are demos for Beat Sketcher, Echochrome II, EyePet, Kung Fu Rider, Sports Champions, Start the Party, The Shoot, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11, Time Crisis: Razing Storm, Tumble, and TV Superstars.  Unlike Nintendo's sports-only pack-in, these bite-sized trails help give a broader sense of how the Move will play with different genres.  Each demo has to be installed to the hard drive separately, so you'd better set aside a nice chunk of time if you plan to play them all for yourself.  Depending on the game you may be required to stand upright and even take some steps back to get the full experience.  This obviously isn't going to work for smaller bedrooms as the instance of being either “too near” or “too far” is dependent on the title played.

How each Move responded to my movements and motions depended entirely on the software itself and, much like we've seen with Nintendo's Wii remote (with MotionPlus), the accuracy seemed to have more to do with the actual software than with the controller itself.  When things worked, they REALLY worked, as titles like Sports Champions (demo version) and Kung Fu Rider were remarkably consistent and it was almost thrilling to see the level of immersion in Tumble.  Others, like Time Crisis, were fine after spending a considerable time in the game's mandatory calibration and sequencing, which is actually something most Move users will have to endure before playing.

EyePet was a giant mess, as when the video quality being captured by the Eye (640 x 480 VGA) looked like a giant blob of pixels and artifacts, and the game seldom was able to recognize my movements or gestures.  As the Eye was never that popular, it's understandable that Sony would marry it to the Move (if only to deplete inventory), but with higher-definition cameras coming down in price all the time, it's disappointing they went with such a low-grade substitute that not only looks horrible, but whose technology obviously hurts potential gameplay.  Surprisingly, the Tiger Woods 11 demo and its absurd decision to 'remove' left-handed gameplay felt out-of-place, and probably shouldn't have been included on the set.

Sony has also enabled the Move to let users literally 'move' through the PlayStation 3's XMB and internet browser by holding down the trigger (T) and tilting in whatever direction you'd like to flick through.  Unfortunately, this method is far from ideal, as you'll often find yourself aiming towards the floor as scrolling through the console's long menus simply isn't precise or that accurate using what was obviously a hasty last-minute inclusion.  The PS3's menu system wasn't designed for motion, and a quick trip through the PlayStation Store reveals this perfectly, as the Store's colorful boxes and panels would have been a much better starting point to add Move controls to the PS3's menu system.  Better keep a DualShock or Navicon handy, as you'll probably need them.

One thing facing potential Move users that simply can't be avoided is the price, and to fully get the most out of the Move experience you'll need to invest a sizable chunk of change, and as none of the current Move bundles offer everything 'out of the box'.  Sure, you could simply opt for the bare minimum for now, but as more titles begin to adopt Move controls, you'll have to complete the package on your own, which means adding a second Move controller ($49) and Navicon ($29), the cost will undoubtedly work to keep potential early adopters away.

Conclusion

There's no doubt that Sony has crafted a capable accessory with the Move controller, which clearly signals they're ready to join the motion-controlled revolution that Nintendo began four years ago. Slick engineering and quality design help make it extremely comfortable, and its easy to imagine spending an extended session with one (or two) without getting exhausted in the process.  Better motion-tracking and accuracy make it beat Nintendo at its own game, and only time will tell if users - and developers - will take the plunge and make the Move a fundamental part of the PlayStation 3 experience. Until that happens, the initial price and lack of compelling software can't make the Move anything more than an impulse buy for now.