Joystiq tries out Wii Fit and Wii Balance Board

While we were only able to check out Wii Fit and the Wii Balance Board from a distance, our pals at Joystiq found some time to kick off their shoes and see just how much of a workout the game/device combo provides. As far as the peripheral goes, Joystiq found the Balance Board to be "a lot lighter and sturdier" than they had anticipated, and they feel that it should hold up to a lot of force. It also apparently proved to be quite responsive during the three demos they were able to try, which also provided ample opportunity for them to embarrass themselves in front of a crowd. They were slightly less impressed with the Wii Fit game itself though, finding it appealing in a Brain Age sort of way but somewhat lacking as an actual game.

[Craig @ Jul 13th 2007 1:14PM]

if nintendo wants to proliferate these new peripherals, it had better be willing to sell them at a relatively cheap price. but considering they're charging $20 for a piece of plastic, i'm not too optimistic.

[NHAnimator @ Jul 13th 2007 2:38PM]

It's not just a piece of plastic. If you look on the backside, there is a little blue light. So it's a piece of plastic AND a little blue light. NOW what would you pay?

But seriously, Nintendo is starting to look like it hit an inside-the-parker with the Wii.

[laughallway2bank @ Jul 13th 2007 4:54PM]

the fact that you need a game to get off your butt and exercise.... sad... very sad...

[Solomon @ Jul 14th 2007 10:51AM]

IS IT a little blue light? Or, is it FOUR little blue lights, for multiplayer?

[blackfeather @ Jul 13th 2007 1:23PM]

maybe it's a snowboard simulator?

[Steve @ Jul 13th 2007 3:23PM]

That guy needs some shorter pants.

[Emceay @ Jul 13th 2007 4:49PM]

Maybe he's like me and they need to stock stores with more 32's!

[Craig @ Jul 13th 2007 6:51PM]

or maybe he's like me and happy he found a pair of 36's

[Josh Halvorson @ Jul 13th 2007 1:50PM]

This right here is one of the reason nintendo is going to win this round. So right now the game selection is kind of so so, and you cant find a Wii to save your life.

But if you think about what is going on here it's kind of ingenious. Nintendo has older people buying there console, parents are buying Wiis for themselves to play and not for their kids. Now you got a work out device, which should sell well, if it works, to those Soccer moms, and others, that want to stay in shape.

SO you get these in millions of house holds across the world, soon the kids start asking for games for their system, well as long as there are similar titles on the Wii as other consoles, parents will go for the $10 cheaper game. And this in all theory should lead to Nintendo's redemption of the top spot.

..............................................

Reggie Fils-Aime: Gee, Mr. Iwata. What are we going to do tonight?

Satoru Iwata: The same thing we do every night, Reggie. Try to take over the world.

[Alan Partridge @ Jul 13th 2007 1:50PM]

"...finding it appealing in a Brain Age sort of way but..."

Is that not a good thing? Didn't Brain Age sell millions and millions of copies and DS consoles too?

[Josef F @ Jul 13th 2007 2:13PM]

Hopefully, game developers will create a few titles for it. Then you're buying the controller (which happens to include a so-so game) and using it for SSX-Wii, or whatever.

[Emceay @ Jul 13th 2007 1:53PM]

It's a lot of things, probably extra buttons for any game that decides to incorporate it. It could be an optional jump or run (think nes track & field). Airplane, Car pedals and dancing are a few uses off the top of my head. You could probably make a crazy mech/tank game using this and the wiimote combo. Balance board + Mario Kart wheel. Fighting Simulations, or more immersing MMOs. It's just a new controller - I hope they make more.
It's just another step into virtual reality.

[Jon @ Jul 13th 2007 2:13PM]

Ok here is what they should do with this , Tonk Hawk ( or Skate ) .. You simulate skating motions such as pushing off the ground , an olie, etc ... and use the Wiimote and nunchuck for Spins etc ... wiimote up and nunchuck down for a kick flip , make it as realistic as possible .. it deff seems as if the board will recognize those motions .. Oh lordy i hope they steal this idea , all i want in return is Beer

[Endee @ Jul 13th 2007 2:19PM]

1080 Wii?!

[Eikern @ Jul 13th 2007 2:47PM]

Oh, I just thought of something. This could be used as bassdrum and hi-hat for Wii Music! I'm a drummer myself so that would just be awesome!

[boodaman @ Jul 13th 2007 2:47PM]

I kinda do.

[XSportSeeker @ Jul 13th 2007 10:13PM]

I won't judge this without testing it myself... but just for trying to make something new, Nintendo already has my approval.
I just bought Nintendo DS, loved it for just bringing something different on portables... next step is probably WII (too many lattes).
What's next now? WIIBike? WIITreadmill? Actually, those would be nice too...

[SoccerFreak8 @ Jul 20th 2007 7:26AM]

U know how their making all these attachments for the wii (apper this and so on...) imagine their a video game console with a camera which puts u insided the game sweet (take that runescape and world of warcraft nerds) lmao

[Ian @ Sep 5th 2007 7:22AM]

That is NOT a "Wii Balance Board"! It's ME standing on my bathroom scale!