The one thing that sets the Wii apart from the Xbox 360 and PS3 is its unique wireless motion-sensing controller - but it looks increasingly likely that Sony could be developing an answer to Nintendo's controller that, erm, breaks in two.

If the rumours prove to be true, the new PlayStation controller can be used in much the same way as a Wiimote. According to Gamesindustry.biz, it can 'break apart' into two separate units, each of which contains an accelerometer for 'Wiimote-like' motion-sensing functionality.

The report said that no official launch date has been touted, but working models have been shipped to key games developers in order to create games that use the new controller. The smart money is on the Wiimote rival being unveiled at E3 in Santa Monica in July. We can predict with almost certainty that phoning Sony's PR will result in them saying "no comment".

Accoringto the website's roving reporter Phil Elliot; "Sony Computer Entertainment will therefore hope that, with the ongoing development of the PlayStation Network, the success of Blu-ray as the de facto next generation standard of video, the gradual roll-out of Home later in the year and the release of additional high-definition titles over time, it will be able to overwhelmingly position the PS3 as the best all-round home entertainment unit on the market," he said.