So much for control sticks and buttons. With a flick of the wrist, gamers playing the Nintendo Wii can slash a sword, hit a forehand, or cast a hook By pointing their arm at the screen, players can aim guns, line up a field goal, or browse the Internet.

Amidst all the talk surrounding the Xbox 360 and Sony PS3, Nintendo’s next gaming system hasn’t gotten much press. However, it may very well be the best option of the three. The Wii, (pronounced “Whee”), available for purchase on Sunday, costs only $249, and that includes a free game which would otherwise cost $50. (The PS3’s least expensive package costs $499; The Xbox 360’s basic package costs $299.) At the size of three DVD cases, the Wii won’t take up much space. Nor will it be an eyesore: the Wii’s sleek construction, defined by a blue light running along its insert, gives it a style that is both modern and easy on the eyes. Free online play, along with a “Virtual Console” feature that lets users play games from selected gaming systems of the past, are two more features of the Nintendo Wii.

Still, most would agree that the most exciting feature of the system is its controller. The Wii’s controller is held in one hand and resembles a TV remote, meaning that its unorthodox design will still look and feel familiar to gamers. What makes it so special, however, is the motion-sensing technology inside it that allows it to recognize (deep breath): upwards tilting, downwards tilting, clockwise twisting, counterclockwise twisting, tilting to the left, and tilting to the right. What does this all mean? Players don’t need to memorize lists of buttons in order to play games. The Wii lets gamers control a fighter jet simply by tilting the controller in the direction they want the plane to go. In a driving game, by holding the controller on its sides like a steering wheel, players can control the car. New gamers, much to the chagrin of their friends, tend to lean from side to side when playing racing games. Now, those movements are actually recognized by the controller.

Shooting games are also new experiences with the Wii controller; characters in shooting games will aim their guns at the location of the screen that the player points his or her controller to. This is excellent news for those who are tired of aiming by tilting a button one way or another. Games such as Ubisoft’s “Red Steel” and Nintendo’s “Metroid Prime 3” are two examples of this feature.

“Wii Sports,” included with the console and developed by Nintendo, is a collection of sport games such as tennis, baseball, and golf. The controls are self-explanatory: players swing the Wii controller to hit tennis balls, smack baseballs, and drive golf balls. Still, gamers shouldn’t assume that the Nintendo Wii is only about simple games. In fact, when one adds up all the motions possible with the Wii controller, as well as a few buttons that are also included, the number is higher than systems such as the Xbox 360. In other words, games can be deeper, yet are more natural to play.

In short, the Nintendo Wii is a great system at an equally great price. Gamers don’t have to pay big bucks for systems that offer little new besides improved graphics. Instead, for a smaller price, they can purchase a system with a unique controller that allows every game-- be it sports, shooting, or driving-based-- to feel new again. Add in free online play and a compact package, and the Wii is a system worth checking out.