EA SPORTS Active is hardly the Wii Fit slayer we were hoping for

Our exercise-averse bones were certainly shaking at rumors of EA's supposed onslaught on the Wii Fit-dominated "video games don't have to be fun, they can also make you sore and grumpy" market, but we must admit we're a little disappointed in the end product. EA SPORTS Active for the Wii eschews Nintendo's Wii Fit peripheral entirely, instead opting for a leg strap to hold a nunchuck controller and track the movements of your rippling thigh, while an electronics-free resistance band is there to make everything harder. The good news is that Bob Greene, Oprah's personal trainer, was involved in Active's creation and the wide assortment exercises it will subject you to, so you know it's going to turn you into an eternally beautiful and endlessly influential TV talk show host in a few short weeks. Speaking of, did everybody see that 30 Rock episode with Oprah in it? Can we just give Tina Fey all the Emmys right now, or do we have to wait until next year? Video of EA's Active is after the break.

[Conceyted @ Nov 13th 2008 1:26PM]

EA makes the majority of its money off of sales pumped up from hype about their products. I am, like I should have long ago, beginning to lose faith in EA as a whole.

[trainwrecka @ Nov 13th 2008 1:33PM]

Give Tina Fey all of the Emmys now.

[htd @ Nov 13th 2008 1:28PM]

'isn't hardly'?

I dont see no grammar correctness...

I'd like to have a sequel of yourself!fitness.

[Freakin Ijit @ Nov 13th 2008 1:29PM]

WAIT A MINUTE!

"when you squat, see your on-screen something squat"...then the on-screen something stands up BEFORE the real person!

[yyan @ Nov 13th 2008 1:31PM]

Flabbo-nerds might disagree, but I think that exercising using the Wii is the most pointless thing ever. If you don't have the moxie to separate yourself from a video game console for 30minutes to 1hour a day and do a decent workout, then it's probably fate that you remain as a flabbo-nerd. I'm just teasing, but seriously, go do a real workout.

[Freakin Ijit @ Nov 13th 2008 2:05PM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CrossFit

[Valicore @ Nov 13th 2008 2:18PM]

This from the guy who said in the last post that showing your face means you have inflated self-esteem. As a flabo-nerd, I think you're either a fellow flabo-nerd or one of those guys at the gym who works out endlessly for a perfect body but you still have to put a bag over their head to consider them attractive.

[yyan @ Nov 13th 2008 1:32PM]

Flabbo-nerds might disagree, but I think that exercising using the Wii is the most pointless thing ever. If you don't have the moxie to separate yourself from a video game console for 30minutes to 1hour a day and do a decent workout, then it's probably fate that you remain as a flabbo-nerd. I'm just teasing, but seriously, go do a real workout.

[Ellianth @ Nov 13th 2008 1:33PM]

So barely lifting my leg so my on screen avatar runs will be as effective as going for a jog around the block? Interesting.

[ctbear @ Nov 13th 2008 1:42PM]

this will definitely make us all healthy and well again
Say good bye to obesity! In fact, say good bye to diabetes!
Nintendo is here to save the day.




-_-.....

[ctbear @ Nov 13th 2008 1:42PM]

EA/Nintendo

[Ridgecity @ Nov 13th 2008 6:43PM]

It really is tons better than most exercise equipment available for the same price. You can get a real workout with a Gym subscription or buying your equipment to do some indoor exercise, but any good stuff will run at least $700.

It's like playing Guitar Hero consumes more calories than playing a regular game. Any game that makes you more a little bit is good for the obesity in kids and gamers.

[Alex Padilla @ Nov 13th 2008 1:45PM]

A few things:

1. 90% of EA's software is garbage. The exceptions: NHL 09 and RA3.

2. 30 Rock is one of the best shows on TV, and my personal favorite (close behind are Seinfeld and Friday Night Lights).

3. 30 Rock is going to end up like Seinfeld. Mild following in the first few seasons, then it goes WHAM and gains huge popularity and becomes one of the most beloved shows ever. 3 straight Emmys for Best Comedy should turn people's heads.

[Paul Miller @ Nov 13th 2008 2:13PM]

I really hope so. My fear with every episode is "what if they run out?" But obviously they continually prove me wrong. Every show is so outlandish, you start to wonder where they *haven't* gone. The Oprah episode was a good example of finding a new way to examine familiar issues, but I don't want guest stars to become a "crutch."

I don't really know what I'm talking about.

[Alex Padilla @ Nov 13th 2008 3:45PM]

I'm just disappointed that so many people don't know about this show's brilliance.

[joe23521 @ Nov 13th 2008 1:47PM]

Needless to say, this is obviously not as effective as going to the gym, but sure as hell beats sitting on the couch and eating potato chips. It's designed for lazy people like me, where it's either this or not exercising at all.

[Ellianth @ Nov 13th 2008 2:05PM]

so now you'll eat potato chips while you stand? I guess I'm the only one who doesn't shove food down my throat while I play games. You won't lose a single pound playing this game. Go outside and get some real exercise. Walk to the store to buy your bag of chips instead of driving, fatty :p.

[Valicore @ Nov 13th 2008 2:23PM]

I agree Joe

To Ellianth: This is good for people who are disabled or who are recommencing physical activity after an accident or hospital stay or even being pregnant. Not everyone can do your "real exercise." I think another option for people to get fit is great. It's not a pill it's not a steroid it's not a fast, it's just a way to facilitate exercise. Try and not be so judgmental.

[Othello @ Nov 13th 2008 3:59PM]

I still don't understand how coupling actual exercises with a video game suddenly removes their effectiveness.

[phanbouy @ Nov 13th 2008 4:13PM]

only ryan block is allowed to say 'needless to say'

[Ethan @ Nov 13th 2008 1:57PM]

It will, however, 'slay' those flabby thighs.

You can exercise reasonably at home anyway with a large flat surface, something that'll keep your ankles to the floor doing sit-ups, and yourself.

[Nate @ Nov 13th 2008 2:02PM]

Did she even break a real sweat?

[Ellianth @ Nov 13th 2008 2:08PM]

of course, those studio lights are HOT! And the thought of being in a commercial that's telling lies to stupid fat people is bound to make anyone break into a nervous sweat. (One more) the thought of being eaten by said fat people when they get upset from not losing any weight and use you as comfort food is bound to.....

[AMiSH PiRATE @ Nov 13th 2008 2:05PM]

$60 for a ghetto hybrid of the wii sports/fit software and a fifty cent piece of plastic? Sign me up, EA!

[josh @ Nov 13th 2008 2:37PM]

E-A SPORTS....

It's REALLY lame!



:D

[teej @ Nov 13th 2008 2:44PM]

WTF WHY. i don't know why but this just pisses me off so much. oh, maybe it's the fact that, instead of support they're other products (i.e. games), they'd make the dumbest fucking thing i've ever seen. god, i wish i could play a smooth, patched Battlefield.

[teej @ Nov 13th 2008 2:45PM]

instead of supporting* their*. i'm an idiot.

[Stompntom @ Nov 13th 2008 2:48PM]

My wife just bought the Wii fit and I must admit some of the exercises and games are pretty neat but the software sucks.
- Why can't I play it in game mode and have me do a game, then my wife etc.. no I have to go back to the main menu and change Miis to do that
- Why can't I set up a series of exercise routines so I keep my heartrate going and not have to keep clicking through menus after 2-5 minutes

If someone uses the balance board peripheral to make a real exercise piece of software they would have a winner - yes lots of people will buy it and it will gather dust in the corner after 2 weeks of use but hey, you sold the software anyway.

[Elora HRanma @ Nov 13th 2008 3:01PM]

You've gotta be kiddin' EA. Please, release a statement next week saying this was a joke and you will release something not so ridiculous... Please? You're real games may not be good, but... No, this is goin' nowwhere. Go on, EA, go on doing whatever you think is right.

[Elora HRanma @ Nov 13th 2008 3:04PM]

Edit: "Your real games..."
Edit button, Engadget, please? Your commenting system may not be that great, but...
Just kidding! Just kidding!


NOOOOT!

[Chris Robinson @ Nov 13th 2008 3:10PM]

Dude, is it just me or did she say what I thought she said at 0:17 in the video?

[phanbouy @ Nov 13th 2008 5:12PM]

nice cheeks

[Galley @ Nov 14th 2008 9:51AM]

I'd like to take a bite out of that ass!

[tterb @ Nov 13th 2008 5:35PM]

Oprah is not very fit...

[Sean @ Nov 13th 2008 7:01PM]

There is absolutely nothing special about this. it gives you a pouch for the nunchuck, which we can all prolly make at home and you have to take it out for different exercises. It includes a strength band for resistance, um, ok..... With all the talk about being a WiiFit competitor I would have though some new fancy schmancy peripheral was in order. alas, EA shows it's true, bloated colors once again.

[Sean @ Nov 13th 2008 7:03PM]

Also, why do the make it sound all important and life changing? EA must be getting a little too full of itself

[etruscan @ Nov 13th 2008 8:12PM]

Wow. this article is so off base on so many points.. heres a real scoop http://au.gamespot.com/news/6201028.html

[amnigo @ Nov 13th 2008 9:15PM]

"...instead opting for a leg strap to hold a nunchuck controller and track the movements of your rippling thigh, while an electronics-free resistance band is there to make everything harder."

Everyone knows geeks hate resistance training. And obviously losing weight and getting in shape shouldn't be hard, right?

[huh @ Nov 15th 2008 5:52PM]

It is stupid that all these sports game aren't building on the same training regime, instead you now have two totally different systems on the same game console.