Personal Trainer: Walking bringing pedometers to Nintendo DSi

Nintendo's DSi may have just launched, but if you figured your wallet would be safe from buying any other related hardware in the near future, you clearly aren't in tune with the rabid peripheral market. Our best buds over at Joystiq sat down with David Young, the assistant PR manager for Nintendo of America, in order to talk shop and get a glimpse into the DSi's future. Of note, Mr. Young stated that DSi interaction with the Wii was "certainly a possibility," but he failed to elaborate much beyond that. What he did confess, however, was that the DSi will soon be interacting with a pair of pedometers (or "activity meters"), which will ship with the Personal Trainer: Walking title. We're told that the devices will connect wirelessly with the console, and the game itself will be the first where you can import a Mii character from the Wii. Heck, users can even affix one of the meters to their dog in order to log Fido's exercise habits. Consider us (and our pets) highly intrigued.

[Rixon @ Apr 6th 2009 5:53PM]

What a great idea! Lets walk/run around with a slick, thin object in our pockets! Almost as good as a Wrist strap for a apple product"Look what I can do mommy!*Snap*

[lols @ Apr 6th 2009 5:57PM]

pedo-meter? *giggles*

[Josh @ Apr 6th 2009 6:31PM]

This is sadly what happens when you mix American-English and Latin word structure. The American word for a kiddie fiddler - Pedophile - in latin literally means a benign foot fetishist (and hence pedo- is feet and we have pedometer). In Britain, we have Paedophile which makes more sense as paedo- in Latin is the affix for kids (paediatrics for instance).

So, nice try but no cigar.

[adelossa @ Apr 6th 2009 5:58PM]

So, does pedobear endorse this?

[Jordi Bruin @ Apr 6th 2009 6:01PM]

I'm part of the Nintendo promotion team in the Netherlands, and we've been promoting this game over the last few months.
You can kinda compare it to WiiFit, only with waaaaaaay less options.

You basically set goals for yourself, and if you walk/run/do enough each day you can light up your house or walk through famous locations in the game.

[Rixon @ Apr 6th 2009 6:05PM]

Will it punish you if you don't make a goal?

[Thunda Chunky @ Apr 6th 2009 6:06PM]

I'm sorry, I'm sure you and your people work hard as all hell over there, but, that just sounds stupid. Just my opinion.

[Jordi Bruin @ Apr 6th 2009 6:51PM]

@ Rixon, allthough your probably joking, the answer is no. The game doesn't give a crap. You choose how many steps you want to make each day, and when you reach your goal the ''pedometer'' will notify you by turning the little LED on.

@ Thunda Chunky, you understand that me and my colleagues are not the ones making these games right?

[Deputy Doffoos @ Apr 6th 2009 7:17PM]

When you reach your goal, Pedobear touches you

[Uchiha Sasuke @ Apr 6th 2009 6:14PM]

Jordi, do you have a hot sister I can take a walk with?

But seriously, Nintendo's target audience gets wider and wider. First the kids, then the elderly with the Wii, the teenage girls with the DS and now your pets with DSi.

[Anthony @ Apr 6th 2009 6:14PM]

I am curious, this new DSi, it will let you have wireless accessories...

Maybe a wireless guitar hero guitar attachment could be possible, making the last two games compatible...

Just saying...


There are many applications to having wireless accessories.

[Jordi Bruin @ Apr 6th 2009 6:48PM]

A Guitarhero game for the DSi is actually in the works...

[LocalToast @ Apr 6th 2009 6:52PM]

Well I guess it's counting out My Weight Loss Coach, considering it used a Slot-2 device. It was a pretty cool device, though.

Doesn't Nintendo have a wireless pedometer for sale in Japan? (Rhetorical question; they do)

[LocalToast @ Apr 6th 2009 6:53PM]

/facepalm

How did I miss that enormous picture? >_>

It's a Monday

[Phoenix @ Apr 6th 2009 7:15PM]

They changed the picture. it used to be a stock DSi one

[Brianjoy77 @ Apr 6th 2009 6:56PM]

Looks cool, but do you need to have WiFi or your DSi on you when you use it? It would be cool if it stores the data on the device and wirelessly syncs itself when it gets back in contact with the DSi....

Sell the accessory separately and I will by it, I don't need the crappy game with it (or maybe they should release the game in the DSi store).

Just my thoughts

[chaos123x @ Apr 6th 2009 7:18PM]

Man the more Nintendo has success the more crappy there games are.

I hate the new Nintendo.

I think this fanboy is gonna burn his super mario boxers.




BTW does the Pedometer work with the Megan's Law registrations to track sex offenders in the area? I'm guessing it is using GPS too?

[Son @ Apr 6th 2009 8:30PM]

Ahh, another "innovate" Nintendo product. Seriously though, I hate all this gimmicky crap Nintendo's been releasing ever since the the Wii released, what's next? Are they going to stick a force sensor in a basketball so we can have virtual slam dunk contests?

[Plothole @ Apr 7th 2009 3:32AM]

@Son

Ahm....R.O.B., the Power Pad, GB Camera & Printer, e-Reader, DK Bongos...

This didn't start with the WIi.

[Mark @ Apr 6th 2009 7:46PM]

hmm this actually sounds interesting. I'm guessing it stores on the pedometer how many steps you've taken and then syncs with the DSi? If so I know tons of people who would love this app. Keep it coming Nintendo, it's awesome having all the great titles(final fantasy, GTA:chinatown wars, guitar hero) and these really useful/innovative apps and games.

[iBalla @ Apr 6th 2009 8:29PM]

These seem like some sick gps for kids designed by pedobear. bet you he keeps track of their daily routines.

[htd @ Apr 6th 2009 7:50PM]

it looks like a DS game, not DSi specific, maybe only the mii part is.

[LocalToast @ Apr 6th 2009 8:28PM]

No, the Japanese version works for all DS systems, including DSi. I'm pretty sure you make the Miis in the game, but you can probably import them to your DS/DSi from your Wii.

[FILA @ Apr 6th 2009 9:15PM]

I saw this months ago, like last year, you should and theres not limitations why you shouldnt be able to use this on the regular lite. and as everyone else talking about doing a wireless guitar grip for the i, that will be one of two ways how they will make it, I said this last year also. There either gonna make the grip wireless, but that will require constant batteries or make it plug into the DS cart slot leaving an open slot like a pass thru on the grip so you can plug in any game in the grip DS slot.

[Shank @ Apr 6th 2009 10:22PM]

Cool I bought 2 dsi's.,

[kal326 @ Apr 6th 2009 11:24PM]

And here I though I was cool for the free pedometer that came in a box of Apple Jacks, now Nintendos gotta make a wireless one that requires a portable game system and a game.

[Rob Bourne @ Apr 7th 2009 7:19AM]

I still don't know if it's worth buying a DSi.

My old-skool DS is wearing out now, I don't like the reflective-ness(?) of the screens compared to the DSL.

I often think I'd be better off getting another DSL as it's much cheaper, but then I'd probably miss out on some cool DSi-only thing 5 minutes later.

If I do get a DSi though, I'll be importing - I'm not pissing my money away on UK prices.

[Rob Bourne @ Apr 7th 2009 7:22AM]

That had absolutely nothing to do with the article, sorry :)

[Plothole @ Apr 7th 2009 7:49AM]

Careful. DSi content is apparently going to be region locked. (in seeming define to handheld tradition)

[Rob Bourne @ Apr 7th 2009 7:59AM]

Really? That's a bit crappy.

I'll probably still import though, games are usually cheaper to import too, even including shipping.

[TheHoldSteady @ Apr 7th 2009 7:08PM]

I'll wait for the David Lynch version, Fire: Walk With Me.

[[bLeEd_BlAqK] @ May 25th 2009 10:23AM]

This game sounds very productive -- almost as much as Wii Fit. Just like what Mark asked, I would like to know if the "activity meters" can work without constantly being connected with the DS, because this game would be really useful for me to use when I walk home from school, but I already carry around a cell phone and an iPod; I don't want to have to take the DS with me too. Sorry for rambling on, but do you know if I can use the "activity meter" and then sync it up with the DS when I get home? Thanks.