Abstract: A game play device includes a gesture detection system that utilizes a single inertial measurement unit (IMU) and associated gesture detection software executing on a processor of the game play device. Unique gesture movements as detected by the game play device may be construed as menu navigation and control commands used to select audible, visible and tactile features relating to the game play device as well as game play modes executed by the game play device. The game play device immerses the user into an authentic game play experience using aesthetic qualities and multi-dimensional capabilities that are imagined to be those consistent with authentic magic wands used by actual wizards.