Sometimes, using a remote control requires more than just your thumb.

Lots of people – from grade schoolers in gym class to senior citizens in nursing homes – are relying on the Nintendo Wii to play a virtual game and get a real workout.

In the Wall Street Journal’s Mossberg Solution, Katherine Boehret reports that after three years of astounding success, Wii sales are finally on the decline. In an effort to turn to counteract that trend, the company has introduced a new module to make playing Wii games more lifelike and realistic.

The Wii MotionPlus includes a gyroscope that detects the player’s slightest twists and motions and translates them to the screen. It costs $20 by itself or $50 when bundled with the Wii Sports Resorts game, a bundle of 12 different sports tailored for the MotionPlus.

Boehret reports that the MotionPlus “adds a much more satisfying, realistic element to Wii games” and says that “if you’re hoping to give your tired Wii a boost, you’ll like what the relatively inexpensive Wii MotionPlus accessory brings to your game – though you’ll also need to buy new games that work with it.”

Here’s Katie’s video review:

Our take? It’s pretty amazing how many sensors companies are building into products these days. For example, the original iPhone had 5 sensors: proximity (to turn off the display when the phone was close to your ear), 3-axis accelerometer (for motion sensing), 2 photosensors (one for brightness control, and the other to take pictures – yes, the camera), and of course the famous capacitive touchscreen. Then the 3G added GPS, and the count was 6. The new iPhone 3GS went to 7 with the inclusion of a magnetometer (compass). To keep up with the Wii, will Apple need to add a gyroscope (to sense orientation) as well?