A game apparatus includes a touch panel on which at least two pointing positions are simultaneously detectable. In response to an operation of the touch panel by a player, coordinates values of the detected two points are detected, and at least one of a distance between the two points and an angle of the line connecting the two points is calculated. Furthermore, change amounts of the distance and angle between the two points are calculated. A movement parameter such as a travel speed and a turning angle is set on the basis of at least one of the calculated distance and angle, and the movement of the character such as travel and turning is controlled on the basis of the movement parameter. In addition, when a pointing state of the two points is changed, the movement parameter is changed on the basis of a change amount, and the movement of the character is controlled on the basis of the movement parameter.