Wii Fit Video Game Preview
Lose Weight with Nintendo's New Wii Exercise Game and Balance Board
As the old stereotype goes, people who sit in front of the computer all day, or who spend countless hours per week holding a video game controller, are often lazy and overweight. With its upcoming game, Wii Fit, though, Nintendo is hoping not only to put an end to this stereotype, but to turn the stereotype completely around by making video gamers some of the fittest people in society.
Introducing the Wii Balance Board
Nintendo's ambitious plans start with the pressure-sensitive Wii Balance Board, a gadget that will bring Wii Fit's price up to almost $100 but is essential to the functioning of the game. Basically, when gamers first purchase Wii Fit, they will be asked to stand on the Balance Board so that the game can calculate both their Body Mass Index (based on their height and weight) and their Wii Fit Age (based on their ability to balance on their left and right). The ultimate goal of the game will be to reduce the gamers' BMI and Wii Fit Age through over 40 different exercises that make use of the Balance Board.
Exercises from Yoga to Snowboarding
The 40-plus exercises are organized into 4 categories: Strength Training, Aerobics, Yoga, and Balance Games. Only certain exercises will be available at first, but once gamers earn Wii Fit points, they can slowly purchase all the exercises and activities in the game. The exercises and activities, as provided by Nintendo, are as follows:
- Strength Training: Single Leg Extension, Sideways Leg Lift, Arm and Leg Lift, Single-Arm Stand, Torso Twists, Rowing Squat, Single Leg Twist, Lunge, Push-Up and Side Plank, Jackknife, Plank and Tricep Extension; also, challenges include Push-Up Challenge, Plank Challenge and Jackknife Challenge.
- Aerobics: Hula Hoop®, Basic Step, Basic Run, Super Hula Hoop, Advanced Step, 2-P Run, Rhythm Boxing, Free Step and Free Run.
- Yoga: Deep Breathing, Half-Moon, Dance, Cobra, Bridge, Spinal Twist, Shoulder Stand, Warrior, Tree, Sun Salutation, Standing Knee, Palm Tree, Chair, Triangle and Downward-Facing Dog.
- Balance Games: Soccer Heading, Ski Slalom, Ski Jump, Table Tilt, Tightrope Walk, Balance Bubble, Penguin Slide, Snowboard Slalom and Lotus Focus.
Improvement by Competition
Of course, as any current or past member of Weight Watchers can attest to, it can be hard to lose weight without accountability. Thus, Nintendo has introduced an element of competition in the game by allowing up to 8 family members or friends to create profiles in the game and compare their progress in losing weight with others. The game will feature graphs and charts updated daily that will show just how much progress each person is making.
Early Reviews
Though Wii Fit is not due out until May 19th, 2008, in the United States, and April 25th, 2008, in Europe, the game was released last December in Japan. A review by one English language site, NTSC-UK, has mostly positive things to say about the game. According to the review, the Balance Board is very well put together and well worth the price. Also, most of the 40 games are very fun (which is a relief -- Nintendo's Wii Play, which featured 10 mini-games, was mostly full of duds).
One should note, though, that even with a price of $100, Wii Fit features mostly primitive graphics and sound. And though another skiing game has been released in Japan making use of the Balance Board (see the We Ski preview), Nintendo has a knack for not making many games compatible with some of its more "unique" accessories.
Only time will tell, but early reports indicate that Wii Fit could prove to be an interesting and innovative game for the growing Wii library. Gamers may also be interested in a similar upcoming DS game, My Weight Loss Coach.
