VR Gets Real  The Power Glove: "It's so Bad."  While the
Sensorama was ultimately brought down by its cost and the
novelty of the experience, video-game giant Nintendo's first
foray into virtual reality seemed poised for success. Already a
household name, the company introduced in 1989 a new must-have
accessory for the gaming enthusiast: the Nintendo Power Glove.
The Mattel-manufactured Power Glove promised players
unparalleled interactivity with their video games. It worked by
transmitting ultrasonic signals from a pair of speakers in the
glove to three microphones, placed around your television set.
Move your hand, and the microphones would (theoretically)
calculate the location in space of the glove's speakers,
translating that movement into in-game activity.  Despite an
infamous cameo appearance in 1989's "The Wizard," the Power
Glove failed to attain critical or commercial success. Although
the audience was already in place, the device itself was largely
impractical. Based on the VPL Dataglove, the Powe