What's the key to gaming success on Nintendo's upcoming Wii console? Keeping the curtains closed, it seems. According to a poster on the videogames pioneer's website, the new machine's sensor bar can't cope with sunlight.

Reporting on a Wii demo in the US last week, forum poster Ombrenoir17 wrote: "For about an hour or so, the sun shone right into the store... the Wii Sports Tennis and Shooting Game kiosks were unplayable since they were 'shrouded' in sunlight. Later the sun went behind a building, and everything was in working order again."

The Wii needs a large optical sensor to pick up signals from its wireless remote control-like game controller. It's been alleged in the past that bright halogen lights can cause erratic behaviour, but this is the first time sunlight's been named as a hindrance to gameplay. ®