Needing only a mouse to make broad movements, the OCZ Neural Impulse Actuator (NIA) was demonstarted at this years CeBIT to be able to control a player in Unreal Tournament without a keyboard or any other input. Reviewers were allowed to test the machine out at CeBIT, but sadly all the videos I have are not in English.

This thing could be even more impressive than the Wii controller if it really works. And it could be phenomenal if this were used in conjunction with the Wii controller. I really want to try this out. The brochure states that it should be out with a year, and that it will initially run around $300.

OCZ Neural Impulse Actuator PDF brochure

And here are some videos of it in action at CeBIT 2007.

Or, maybe just CliffyB is getting it. The Gamespy preview for Unreal Tournament 3 (for the Playstation 3) says that it will have keyboard and mouse functionality, along with the regular PS3 controller.

For those of you hardcore PC purists, mouse and keyboard controls will be available in the PS3 version through the USB ports on the front of the machine.

We’ve long waited for this to happen, us original players of the FPS, on the PC. Here’s hoping that this isn’t a one-time thing, or a one-developer thing. Playing first person shooters with thumb-based console controllers is like running through a battlefield with dislocated arms. The aftermarket options for playing Halo with mouse and keyboard didn’t quite cut it. Heck, they could even make a weird mouse and keypad contraption proprietary to the PS3, and I’d give it a go.

I wasn’t really considering getting a Playstation 3, mainly because of its exorbitant price. But if the shooters released for that console all follow suit, I’ll start saving my pennies.

Here’s a couple demos of the Wii shown recently. They show fishing in the Wii Zelda game. I love how the little satellite “nunchuk” controller works in harmony with the Wii Remote.

bonus! old NES commercial for the original Zelda: