The Wii Fit balance board is cloned, magically sprouts an LCD display

It looks like Nintendo will finally be getting some challengers to its balance board monopoly... or one at least. Cheapo Wii accessory-maker Njoy is set to introduce its own version of the Wii Fit's footboard come September 12th for the weirdly more-expensive price of £64.99 (or about $130). Of course, Njoy's model does have a built-in LCD display (presumably for checking your weight even when the console is off), though it won't come bundled with any software, virtual trainers, or the assurances of a thorough Mario and Luigi inspection process.

[Via Balance Board Blog]

[konshuss @ Aug 1st 2008 9:55AM]

what will count here is responsiveness. the higher price is already a no-go, but wouldn't you rather be inclined to trust motion-reliant hardware from the company puttnig out the console it's for? just a thought.

[Tinu @ Aug 1st 2008 9:59AM]

Whats the point of this if it doesn't come with a software? Buy Wii Fit first and then rather than plugging the board that comes with it, plug this one?

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Aug 1st 2008 10:20AM]

Will the people using this be able to see the LCD display to read the weight?

FUPA ftl

[j_g_puff @ Aug 1st 2008 10:55AM]

This product may well have one advantage over Wii Fit board: It might actually be possible to find a shop which has some in stock.

[eddy @ Aug 1st 2008 9:55AM]

Looks like there's a speaker in the center of it too. That'll be awkward when it comes time to do the single-leg balance test.

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Aug 1st 2008 10:20AM]

I hope it makes creaking sounds when people stand on it.

[tottenhamhotspur @ Aug 1st 2008 9:59AM]

£64.99 is actually cheaper than the £69.99 RRP on the official Wii balance board. Once converted to dollars it may be more expensive on your side on the pond, but that just illustrates how much more we pay for stuff over here.

[Chad @ Aug 1st 2008 10:07AM]

So you are saying that they are cheaper than the Wii Fit in the UK but if I purchased it in USA from a web site in the UK @ £64.99 it will convert to more in US $ than £69.99 would?

now my head hurts

[tottenhamhotspur @ Aug 1st 2008 10:33AM]

Original Wii Fit USA RRP = $90 (I think)

Original Wit Fit UK RRP = £70 which is $140

This third party board = £65 which is $130

So it's unfair to say it's more expensive than the original board because you're comparing an import price with a native price. No doubt if it's released direct to the american market it'll be much less than $130.

[Chad @ Aug 1st 2008 11:37AM]

but that's not what you said. Had you said that in the first place I would have agreed with you. Don't dump on me because I called you on your mistake.

[Ben @ Aug 1st 2008 1:00PM]

Chad what on earth are you talking about? There was no mistake; what Tottenham said makes perfect sense.

This copycat board is £5 cheaper than the official WiiFit board. It's more expensive than the US price, but then it's not aimed at your market (yet).

[Chad @ Aug 1st 2008 2:09PM]

Engadget is becoming more like digg every day. I refuse to even post on digg because of all the immature banter and now it is infecting this place more and more. I try and post a humorous retort to a poorly written comment and get lambasted. tottenhamhotspur's first comment does not make sense without the followup which makes perfect sense.

Basically here is what was said

NJoy board
UK£ 64.99 = $128.18 US$ (As of today's exchange rate)
Wii Fit
UK£ 69.99 = $138.04 US$

128.18 > 138.04

I know what he MEANT was the actual price of the Wii Fit as it is marketed in the US but that is not what his first post SAYS. Good God it's never funny when you have to explain the joke!

[Ben @ Aug 1st 2008 8:53PM]

Tell me about it.

[shanoboy @ Aug 1st 2008 10:07AM]

I always felt like a lack of an actual scale made the game funner for most. When I see an overweight friend or relative play Wii Fit, I always see them looking around for something to tell them and everyone else in the room just how over weight they are.

When they realize it doesn't actually do so, they breathe a sigh of relief.

[konshuss @ Aug 1st 2008 10:09AM]

i hope the speaker on thie Njoy thing is fitted with a laugh track to go along with a possible scale. shame the fatties!

[koolatron @ Aug 1st 2008 10:08AM]

Too bad about the LCD display. I have the same problem with my ATM machine. Maybe if I'd taken the SAT test I'd do better.

[Pavan @ Aug 1st 2008 1:17PM]

It's ATM....the M in ATM stands for Machine. Just like you don't enter your PIN Number...you enter your PIN (or, if you want, your PI Number).

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Aug 1st 2008 1:33PM]

Too bad "ATM Machine" or "PIN Number" have become almost socially acceptable these days.

[Xenoterranos @ Aug 1st 2008 1:57PM]

His comment flew so far above your heads iIm amazed you even saw it to begin with.

[avester @ Aug 1st 2008 10:17AM]

I thought that it said "KO" in the LCD screen...

But then I remembered that this was in the UK, not the USA.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Aug 1st 2008 10:25AM]

You know, the thing that gets me about the Wii Fit, is that it's only going to help the completely sedentary get fit.

And while that's admirable and good for the kiddies, adults who are completely sedentary and need the gimmick of a video game to get them exercising are probably going to be over the 250lb weight limit of the balance board.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Aug 1st 2008 10:26AM]

So my point being, make an aftermarket board that supports up to 400 lbs, and THAT would be useful. Nothing worse than being obese, buying the wii fit, only to crush the balance board like a box of Krispy Kremes.

[avester @ Aug 1st 2008 10:37AM]

You haven't played Wii Fit, have you?

A gimmick videogame > A gimmick TV-Shop abmusclenator 30000++

[Chad @ Aug 1st 2008 11:08AM]

Umm.....Actually the Wii Fit board supports up to 330 lbs. (150 kg) so unless you are morbidly obese or a linebacker you can use one. A Wii Fit isn't going to help much if you are morbidly obese anyway.

[M.Samba @ Aug 1st 2008 10:29AM]

Im just trying to figure out how they thought putting an LCD Screen onto a board that people stand on is a good idea. Oh and how they made it more expensive for something less? I mean sure you get a speaker and a screen but that doesn't really warrant an extra $40 imho.

[Salsa Shark @ Aug 1st 2008 11:16AM]

"Im just trying to figure out how they thought putting an LCD Screen onto a board that people stand on is a good idea."

Um, ever used a scale, fatty?

[Razor @ Aug 1st 2008 10:45PM]

That LCD screen has to be worth at least a buck or two...

[M.Samba @ Aug 1st 2008 10:31AM]

@Ryan
I have 2 questions First, are you speaking from personal experiance and Second Are their videos(doesn't have to be you)of a fat kid breaking the balance board. I'm really hoping that there are videos...

[Ryan Trevisol @ Aug 1st 2008 10:42AM]

Lol, no, I don't have a Wii, and I've never played. I'm going on what I've read about Wii Fit on Engadget (remember Ryan Block's 30 day test?).

And no, I wouldn't break a Wii Fit board if I got onto one. I'd just rather ride my bike to the gym.

[Greg @ Aug 1st 2008 11:22AM]

I'm selling my Wii Fit. Used it twice in 3 months. It's a nice idea but the software is dull, ponderous and frankly isn't very likely to get you fit.

[Jon Acheson @ Aug 1st 2008 12:56PM]

Yeah, I tried it at my brother's. I wasn't impressed at all. The software sucked, and the board itself was way too laggy to enjoy playing games with.

Just get a gym membership for a couple months instead. Same cost, much better results.

[phanbouy @ Aug 1st 2008 1:24PM]

HEY you short term memory general public... are we to forget Ryan Block weaseled out of his Wii fit challenge?

Good luck keeping Veronica interested now, bro!

i keed i keed

[Onouris @ Aug 1st 2008 7:09PM]

I really wish US websites would stop saying things are more expensive because they're comparing an exchange rate price.

Do your jobs and actually spend 30 seconds researching. It's just not that hard. Check the actual UK price of the Wii Fit, then if the price of this is less, low and behold this is cheaper than the official board. There was no mention of a US price, so don't invent one for story purposes.

[jimb @ Sep 24th 2008 2:01AM]

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