Game system and storage medium storing game program

• US 20080132334A1
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Ito, Norihito, Tanaka, Kenta, Okada, Masayuki, Nishimura, Kentaro, Nonaka, Toyokazu, Izuno, Toshiharu
• Granted Patent: US 9,327,192 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8011 Ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors

Abstract

A movement vector of an object which appears in a virtual game world is determined in accordance with an operation of a direction instruction section which is provided in a housing. The movement vector is corrected in accordance with a change in an orientation of the housing from a reference orientation or acceleration generated in the housing. Then, movement of the object in the virtual game world is controlled based on the corrected movement vector.

Claims

1. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing,

the game controller including at least a direction instruction section which is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including:

movement vector control means for determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section;

correction means for correcting the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means, in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section; and

movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a predetermined axis.

3. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a forward direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a left-right axis of the housing.

4. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a left-right direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a front-rear axis of the housing.

5. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a predetermined axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the predetermined axis.

6. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a first axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the first axis, and

the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction, in accordance with rotation of a second axis of the housing, which is different from the first axis, about an axis perpendicular to the second axis.

7. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and

the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction.

8. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined so as to rotate about a predetermined axis of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in a direction to rotate about the predetermined axis, and

the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about the predetermined axis.

9. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to perform an input,

the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and determines the movement vector so as to the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction, and

the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction, and corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the second direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the perpendicular direction.

10. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction,

the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in the reference direction by changing a reference direction, in which the object moves in the virtual game world, in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section when the stick is inclined in the forward direction of the housing,

the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the reference direction in the virtual game world in accordance with inclination of the housing in the forward direction.

12. The game system according to claim 2, wherein

the movement vector control means determines a direction of the movement vector with a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world as a reference in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section, and the game apparatus further includes object direction control means for setting the direction of the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means and corrected by the correction means, as a new forward direction of the object, and changing a direction of the object in the virtual game world based on the new forward direction.

42. The game system according to claim 6, wherein

the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular to each other, and

the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other in the virtual game world.

44. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player.

45. The game system according to claim 44, wherein the direction instruction section is provided in the housing in such a position that when the player holds the housing at the side circumference thereof with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand.

11. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller,

the game controller including:

a housing formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player;

a direction instruction section provided in such a position that when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing an instruction input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing; and

movement detection means for detecting movement of the housing, and

the game apparatus including;

movement direction control means for determining a forward direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the instruction input in the forward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the backward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section;

correction means for correcting the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world when rotation of the housing in the forward direction of the housing is indicated based on detection of the movement detection means; and

movement control means for moving the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

13. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller,

the game controller including at least:

a housing capable of being held with one hand of the player;

acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and

a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including;

movement vector control means for determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section;

correction means for correcting the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means, in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means; and

movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

14. The game system according to claim 13, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a predetermined axial direction of the housing.

15. The game system according to claim 14, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a forward direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a forward direction of the housing.

16. The game system according to claim 14, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a leftward or rightward direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a leftward or rightward direction of the housing.

17. The game system according to claim 13, wherein

the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a first direction of the housing, and

the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction in the virtual game world, in accordance with acceleration generated in a second direction of the housing which is different from the first direction of the housing.

18. The game system according to claim 13, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and

the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing.

19. The game system according to claim 13, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to perform an input,

the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction, and

the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing, and corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the second direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the perpendicular direction of the housing.

20. The game system according to claim 13, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction,

the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in the reference direction by changing a reference direction, in which the object moves in the virtual game world, in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section when the stick is inclined in the forward direction of the housing, and

the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the reference direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the forward direction of the housing.

22. The game system according to claim 13, wherein

the movement vector control means determines a direction of the movement vector with a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world as a reference in accordance with a direction instructed by direction instruction section, and

the game apparatus further includes object direction control means for setting the direction of the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means and corrected by the correction means, as a new forward direction of the object, and changing a direction of the object in the virtual game world based on the new forward direction.

43. The game system according to claim 17, wherein

the first axis and the second axis of the housing are perpendicular to each other, and

the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other in the virtual game world.

21. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller,

the game controller including:

a housing formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player;

a direction instruction section provided in such a position that when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing an instruction input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing; and

acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated at least in the forward direction of the housing, and

the game apparatus including;

movement vector control means for determining a forward direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the instruction input in the forward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the backward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section;

correction means for correcting the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world based on detection of the acceleration detection means when the acceleration is generated in the forward direction of the housing; and

movement control means for moving the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

23. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing,

the game controller including at least a direction instruction section which is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including:

movement direction determination means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section;

movement amount determination means for determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section; and

movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement direction which is determined by the movement direction determination means and the movement amount which is determined by the movement amount determination means.

24. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller,

the game controller including at least:

a housing capable of being held with one hand of the player;

acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and

a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including;

movement direction determination means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section;

movement amount determination means for determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means; and

movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement direction which is determined by the movement direction determination means and the movement amount which is determined by the movement amount determination means.

25. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing,

the game controller including at least a direction instruction section which is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including:

position determination means for determining a position of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section;

displacement determination means for determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section; and

movement control means for changing the position of the object, which is determined by the position determination means, by the displacement amount which is determined by the displacement determination means, and controlling movement of the object.

26. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the displacement determination means determines a displacement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a predetermined axis.

27. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a left-right axis of the housing.

28. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a front-rear axis of the housing.

29. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a predetermined axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the predetermined axis.

30. The game system according to claim 25, wherein

the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a first axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the first axis, and

the displacement determination means determines the displacement so as to displace the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction, in accordance with rotation of a second axis of the housing, which is different from the first axis, about an axis perpendicular to the second axis.

31. The game system according to claim 25, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and

the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction.

32. The game system according to claim 25, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined so as to rotate about a predetermined axis of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in a direction to rotate about the predetermined axis, and

the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about the predetermined axis.

33. The game system according to claim 25, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to perform an input,

the position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and moves the position of the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction, and

the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction, and determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the second direction in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the perpendicular direction.

34. The game system according to claim 25, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction,

the position determination means moves the position of the object in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section when the stick is inclined in the forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing, and

the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with inclination of the housing in the leftward or rightward direction.

41. The game system according to claim 25, wherein

the position determination means determines a new position of the object with a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world as a reference in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section, and

the game apparatus further includes object direction control means for setting a direction in the virtual game world, in which the position of the object is moved by the position determination means, as a new forward direction of the object, and changing a direction of the object in the virtual game world based on the new forward direction.

35. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller,

the game controller including at least:

a housing capable of being held with one hand of the player;

acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and

a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including;

position determination means for determining a position of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section;

displacement determination means for determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means; and

movement control means for changing the position of the object, which is determined by the position determination means, by the displacement amount which is determined by the displacement determination means, and moving the object.

36. The game system according to claim 35, wherein the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a forward or backward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a forward or backward direction of the housing.

37. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a first direction of the housing, and

the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction in the virtual game world, in accordance with acceleration generated in a second direction of the housing which is different from the first direction of the housing.

38. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and

the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing.

39. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to perform an input,

the position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and moves the position of the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction, and

the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing, and determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the second direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the perpendicular direction of the housing.

40. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction,

the position determination means moves the position of the object in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object in accordance with a direction instructed by direction instruction section when the stick is inclined in the forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing, and

the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a leftward or rightward direction of the housing.

46. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus in a game system comprising:

a game controller which includes a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input;

the game apparatus connected to the game controller; and

a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing,

the game program causing the computer to function as;

movement vector control means for determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section;

correction means for correcting the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means, in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section; and

movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

47. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes:

a housing formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of a player;

a direction instruction section provided in such a position that when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing an instruction input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing; and

movement detection means for detecting movement of the housing,

the game program causing the computer to function as;

movement direction control means for determining a forward direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the instruction input in the forward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the backward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section;

correction means for correcting the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world when rotation of the housing in the forward direction of the housing is indicated based on detection of the movement detection means; and

movement control means for moving the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

48. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes:

a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player;

acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and

a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input,

the game program causing the computer to function as;

movement vector control means for determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section;

correction means for correcting the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means, in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means; and

movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

49. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes:

a housing formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of a player;

a direction instruction section provided in such a position that when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing an instruction input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing; and

acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated at least in the forward direction of the housing,

the game program causing the computer to function as;

movement vector control means for determining a forward direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the instruction input in the forward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the backward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section;

correction means for correcting the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world based on detection of the acceleration detection means when the acceleration is generated in the forward direction of the housing; and

movement control means for moving the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

50. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus in a game system comprising:

a game controller which includes a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input;

the game apparatus connected to the game controller; and

a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing,

the game program causing the computer to function as;

movement direction determination means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section;

movement amount determination means for determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section; and

movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement direction which is determined by the movement direction determination means and the movement amount which is determined by the movement amount determination means.

51. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes:

a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player;

acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and

a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input,

the game program causing the computer to function as;

movement direction determination means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section;

movement amount determination means for determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means; and

movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement direction which is determined by the movement direction determination means and the movement amount which is determined by the movement amount determination means.

52. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus in a game system comprising:

a game controller which includes a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input;

the game apparatus connected to the game controller; and

a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing,

the game program causing the computer to function as;

position determination means for determining a position of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section;

displacement determination means for determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section; and

movement control means for changing the position of the object, which is determined by the position determination means, by the displacement amount which is determined by the displacement determination means, and controlling movement of the object.

53. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes:

a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player;

acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and

a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input,

the game program causing the computer to function as;

position determination means for determining a position of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section;

displacement determination means for determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means; and

movement control means for changing the position of the object, which is determined by the position determination means, by the displacement amount which is determined by the displacement determination means, and moving the object.