My arm hurts. I woke up this morning and found that my arm is stiff from my shoulder down. This hasn’t happened since my first week with a Nintendo Wii. But now it’s Sony’s turn to agonise limbs with its PlayStation Move.

To add a new level of gaming to Sony’s aging super-horse of a console, the PlayStation 3, the boffins have come up with a motion controller much like Nintendo’s Wii controller. In fact, it’s very similar. So similar that I doubt Wii-owning families will pay it the slightest bit of attention.

But PS3 owners should really take note. It succeeds over the Wii in subtle, yet key, ways – it’s far more sensitive and responsive and its launch games are far more compelling with heaps more promise than the Wii’s first titles.

Even this embittered gamer couldn’t help but grin and laugh like a schoolboy at Start The Party, the PS Move’s crazy, zany family party game. Or get hooked with his non-gaming mates on Sports Champions – with its accurate Frisbee throwing, bocce and sword fighting. However, a quick look at upcoming titles reveals a mix of potential-oozing titles and silly Wii re-hashes.

The special factor with the Move is not just the less-than-innovative controller; it’s that plus Sony’s tremendously generous approach to the games it allows on its consoles.

Nintendo is restrictive and very fussy. Almost five years on and the Wii’s most compelling title for this gamer is still Wii Sports. That first glow of motion-controlled excitement had been dead and buried by the Wii’s lack of good games. In short, it’s not a gamers’ console.

Wii Sports Resort, Wii Sports anticipated sequel, lost the charm and simplicity of the original. It also incorporated a new bolt-on for the Wii controller to make it as sensitive as we were all led to believe it would be in the first place.

Party games, fitness titles, cheap TV show tie-ins; the Wii has them all. Amongst all that though, there are only a handful of compelling, modern games for the Wii, a poor average for Nintendo’s quality-gaming legacy.

By shifting over to the mainstream market, Nintendo has all but alienated keen gamers and expanded the elusive ‘casual’ gamers market. By this I mean; your mum will play a Wii. Hell, even my parents have one.

While you can bet good money the PS3’s new Move controller will garner equally banal games, it will also pick up more innovative ones. Move will have a lower crap-to-quality ratio than the Wii. So the PS3 will have the best of both worlds; it’ll offer people the choice of hardcore, traditional, lonely videogaming and modern, brightly-lit, granny and girlfriend-friendly video gaming.

Yes, the PS Move is a slight extension of the PS2’s EyeToy (released in 2002) and Xbox will have its motion controller in the form of Kinnect before the year’s out. And, on paper, the Wii appears to be the stronger form of motion control. But who gives a toss about all that. The PS Move works really well, it works as well as the Wii should have on its launch.

The PS Move should get better and better, according to my best theories. However, all this rekindled motion-controlled excitement is reminding me it’s early days for the PS Move and good opportunities have been wasted before (see Nintendo Wii).

It’s worth noting the PS Move is expensive. Each controller is £35 and you’ll need a special PS3 webcam to go with it, some games even favour two controllers. You can save money with packs selling these items together but you’ll still require a PlayStation 3 and an HD TV, and in some cases a 3D TV – if you don’t already have them.

The same Wii-loving parents, numbering in their millions, would probably love the PS Move, maybe even prefer it. Alas, they won’t be driven to replace their Wii, especially if they don’t already own a PS3 console. It may not even come down to cost, just convenience – the Wii and PS Move will just be too similar for most people.

Sod the masses, this is a gamer’s motion-controller. Pay attention PlayStation 3 owning, PS Move sceptics; I never thought I’d hear my tight-fisted, embittered Scottish self say this but, PS Move is fantastic fun. Just go and get it.

PS Move is out now. PS Move controller RRP £35, PS Eye (webcam) RRP £25 – £30, PlayStation 3 consoles from £250. Games start from £35.The PS Move Starter Pack contains a Move controller, the PS Eye and some demos RRP £50.