The Electronic Entertainment Expo, E3, at Los Angeles this year has had a motion-controller gaming console 'war' full on - with both Microsoft as well as Sony unveiling their prototype motion-control devices for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 respectively, to compete with the Nintendo Wii motion-detection controller!

While Microsoft introduced its motion-controlling device, codenamed "Project Natal," Sony unveiled its unnamed wand-shaped motion-control product.

The Microsoft Natal - an amalgamation of a camera, microphone, depth sensor, and processor - tracks the full body movement of the players, recognizes their face and voice, and reacts appropriately to their physical and vocal commands.

The Sony motion-control wand has a light-emitting sphere at one end, which 'catches' the PlayStation Eye camera. The singular software that Sony demonstrated with the wand transformed it on-screen into certain objects, including a sword, a gun or a flashlight.

Meanwhile, Nintendo used the E3 platform to showcase its last E3-announced Wii MotionPlus, which essentially is an attachment that makes use of sensors to mimic gamers' hand movements on screen. The only new device Nintendo introduced this year was the players' pulse checker - Wii Vitality Sensor!

Saying that Nintendo was "flattered" by Microsoft and Sony imitations, Cammie Dunaway - Nintendo America's Executive VP for sales and marketing - said: "It"s certainly nice for us to see other companies adopting the philosophy that Nintendo communicated back a few years ago."