Europeans gather - check out when you can get your hands on Wii MotionPlus...

Nintendo of Europe has officially announced a firm release date for MotionPlus. The device will release as a stand-alone peripheral on June 12th. Sega's compatible Virtua Tennis 2009 will be available by this point, and the date is also the same time EA's Grand Slam Tennis ships in Europe.

Intruigingly, Nintendo has opted to release it over a month before their own showcase title for the device. While it was expected MotionPlus would be bundled with Wii Sports Resort at first, the company confirmed that Resort would be hitting European shores on July 24th. With Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2009 releasing in July, there will be three major third party titles that will use MotionPlus before Nintendo gets their own game out the door.

There have been no price details announced for the accessory, nor is it known whether Nintendo still plans to release it as a bundle with Wii Sports Resort as well on July 24th.

Update: Plans have now also been confirmed for a US launch. MotionPlus will hit American shores on June 8th - just four days prior to Europe. Wii Sports Resort will launch on July 26th. US consumers will be able to buy the device on its own for $19.99 or as a bundle with Resort for $49.99.