Nintendo moves 15 million Wii Fit units in a year, 4 remain in use

Oh c'mon, just admit it -- you rationalized that Wii Fit purchase like so: "Oh, I can't afford this, but it's totally something to make me exercise! So, I'll buy it!" Fast forward two months later, and you're struggling to find space to hide the case. All kidding aside (sort of...), you can't deny the facts, and the facts are that the Big N managed to ship 15 million Wii Fits units in just 13 months. For comparison, it took right around 2.5 years to move 50 million Wii units, so it seems this here title is well on its way to hitting the same milestone in around the same amount of time. Unfortunately, you can't lose weight by simply handing over wads of cash to Satoru Iwata -- feel free to try, though.

[zfurie @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:03PM]

I am a G.A.E!!!

[broli @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:09PM]

did he died?

[Menos @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:22PM]

you look more like bart simpson to me...

[pat1202003 @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:48PM]

In case you don't know zfurie is making a reference to this http://u.nu/2k39

[Ryan @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:03PM]

wii fit does not look cool unnless you are a middle-aged mother who wants to lose a couple pounds...

[Mehdi Cheddadi @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:14PM]

HERE COMES WIIFIT PLUS TO SAVE THE DAY!

[JimboJones @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:32PM]

remember that half naked chick on google video? she did not look middle age to me

[glenn s @ Jun 2nd 2009 11:55PM]

My wife resembles that remark...but will kill me if she sees this post.

[kjb434 @ Jun 3rd 2009 9:11AM]

Hey,

And the Wii is the most used console of adults over 30.

Even my grandparents use Wii Fit and play some of the Wii Sports.

[Rudy @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:06PM]

i play my wii maybe once every other month. but i play by 360 on a weekly basis. i fell into the hype but it just ended up being a gimmicky toy and today's keynote proved that. i should have used the money to buy a blu-ray player or something.

[mr nimblewick @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:35PM]

Fascinating. Tell me more.

[pika2000 @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:08PM]

Isn't that the same family doing the 360 project natal?

[gouken85 @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:12PM]

This is Microsoft.
Do you really expect them to do something original?

[m3tric @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:21PM]

@ gouken85

Wait...don't you mean Apple?

"Good artists copy...great artists steal"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0DUg63lqU

[Locke @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:09PM]

I don't know about the rest of you... but after 6 months of use, I can shift my weight like a pro... Now if construction companies started installing stairs that were only 2 inches in height I'd be in business!

[glenn s @ Jun 3rd 2009 12:00AM]

Not to dispute the harsh reality of the wii fit (mine gets used about once a month), but I did see real 3 inch step risers for the balance board at best buy yesterday. They were branded "everlast", and cost about $24. It would turn it into a real exercise step.

[gouken85 @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:10PM]

Stop trolling engadget!!!
We all know you are an Xbox360 fanboy.

[Mark @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:17PM]

Woah, all of engadget is a single fanboy. Of course, all the editors fit together to form one mighty fighting robot. Nilay Patel is the head.

[giuliop @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:23PM]

I would've assumed he was some other part. You know, "lower".

[r3loaded @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:31PM]

"all the editors fit together to form one mighty fighting robot"

First thought that came to my mind:
"Go go Fanboy Rangers!! Mighty Bloggin' Fanboy Rangers!!!"

[CJ @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:11PM]

Well... I like the pink shorts

[B3astofthe3ast @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:13PM]

15 million idiots...

[Uchiha Sasuke @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:21PM]

Yeah, 15 million idiots that both Microsoft and Sony are willing to have on their side.

[Alpha Terminus @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:30AM]

I challenge you to try Shaun White Snowboarding for the Wii using the balance board. If you aren't sweating profusely after 30 minutes, I'd give you a medal.

[Tony Montana @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:13PM]

This argument is bs considering the same "active gameplay" ideas were propose by both Microsoft and Sony at E3.

Nintendo are just using the same model as their opponents but more effectively.

[Adam Erickson @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:13PM]

Oddly enough, WiiFit is the only thing I use my Wii for now. Well that and the occasional Super Mario Galaxy. I've been on the Subway diet lately and find that the WiiFit has been good for me to track my weight loss with. That and I find that the freestyle step is a great motivation to make use of it if I'm reading or watching a movie. That way I can get in a good 30-60 mins around three times a week.

It's not flawless, but hey, if it takes that $80 to get me working out then it's worth it to me.

[Wii60 @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:18PM]

+1

I'm down 35 pounds thanks to wii fit. You won't grab that extra slice of pizza if you know you will see the half pound it adds the next day. I never do the exercises on it, but it's the first thing I do in the morning. If you want real exercise you have to look elsewhere though.

[oghowie @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:19PM]

If you're watching a movie how do you use the WiiFit?

[James @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:20PM]

Go outside and play a real sport, go jogging, ride a bike, join a gym, all of those are going to make you lose more weight than playing wii fit.

[Adam Erickson @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:32PM]

Oghowie - I start up the 30 minute free step and just change channels to my movie. I've also played the 360 while doing the stepping...that was confusing but still got me moving.

James - I am going outside. I'm walking 2 miles roundtrip each day to a Subway. I am currently working full time, in Grad School, own my own business and have a wife - I don't typically have time to work out much more during the day. That's where the Wii Fit helps me - I can get some exercise later at night while still winding down for the night. I've lost quite a bit of weight while doing it so it's worked well for me.

[acmorton @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:10PM]

James: I've dropped 75 lbs in just under a year. No, it hasn't all been with the Wii Fit -- I've taken to biking to work, for one thing -- but it was the kick I needed to get started and it remains the tool I use to track my progress (though EA Sports Active is now pushing things to another level). So don't be such a smug, condescending jackass about it. Some of us have actual experience to support our claims, rather than unfounded opinions.

[RobertT @ Jun 2nd 2009 11:05PM]

Pssshh! I have you all beat. I've lost a whopping 150lbs. using this breakthrough product called CRACK!! Heck, it's even endorsed by Whitney Houston!

[To: Hell @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:16PM]

In these trying economic times i'd look for inexpensive ways to entertain my family, like sneaking up behind my long-haired son in the middle of Wii Soccer and hoofing him into the television.

[James @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:21PM]

you sound like a great dad

[Backlin @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:51PM]

Your username is definitely appropriate for that comment. That is a pretty funny idea though.

[Quix @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:16PM]

Here come the Microsoft fanboys! Pre-emptive strike:

Microsoft moves 15 million Xbox 360 units in a year, 10 million go RROD.

[James @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:23PM]

and microsoft fixes them for free!!!

[boot2skull @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:32PM]

I never thought I'd hear "Microsoft" and "fanboys" in the same sentence. That's like hearing "Linux" and "going out on a date" in the same sentence.

[Quix @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:34PM]

"I never thought I'd hear "Microsoft" and "fanboys" in the same sentence."

Have you been reading the Engadget comments section the past 6 months? THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!

Try saying something bad about Microsoft and see what happens. :)

[trevor @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:20PM]

get some socks on!

[strider_mt2k @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:20PM]

I like how the writer pusses out and assumes everyone else has too.

[giuliop @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:21PM]

Didn't you read the instructions?

"NOT SUITABLE FOR CONEHEADS"

[Pena47 @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:26PM]

"Unfortunately, you can't lose weight by simply handing over wads of cash to Satoru Iwata -- feel free to try, though."

Well, you can if that is your grocery money.

[Billy @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:29PM]

I don't know about you guys, but I want to punch every person in that photo in the face. Especially the boy. They are so artificially happy it makes me sick.

[Agent .25i @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:50PM]

The mother doesn't look too happy. Perhaps she's thinking to herself that she should have stayed a lesbian.

[superhobo @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:04AM]

Yep, I know what you mean.

[Shelbz @ Jun 2nd 2009 7:44PM]

I do about 2 hours a week on my Wii Fit, in fact I even bought my ex one because she never has time to hit the gym anymore because of the kids running around.

And before anyone say "go to the gym or work out" I spend about 3 hours a week in the gym and I play soccer but thanks to the Wii Fit showing your weight daily it helps keep you focused.

The Wii Fit is an original and great idea, that's why Sony, Microsoft, and EA are entering the market as well, funny that the people that are flaming this game the most are more than likely the ones who could use getting off their asses and playing a real sport the most.

[bebop @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:17PM]

So if I read your comment correctly -- and some of the others above -- people are using this mainly as a set of bathroom scales, but with the advantage of data logging built in.

I can see it ... but it still seems weird.

[Matt @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:26PM]

No I use the free step, rhythm boxing, and yoga.

The scale is a good addition and keeps you focused on what you are doing. I don't *need* the Wii Fit at all, I have been going to the gym for years but it's just a nice addition to the workout I currently do.

There are those that do see it as a way to drop some pounds without having to feel embarrassed by going to a gym, I can relate. At one point I was nearly 300 pounds and felt like I would stick out like a sore thumb at the gym. Those people will receive a great morale boost from Wii Fit but I do agree in no way would it ever replace a real workout or a personal trainer.

No one on this site or anywhere should be throwing insults at the people who see Wii Fit as a blessing, for them it is a chance to help themselves without assholes laughing at them or snickering.

Until you walk in their shoes you don't know how they feel.

[Alpha Terminus @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:40AM]

I don't like the Wii Fit software, but love the balance board, primarily for snowboarding and skating games. They are actually pretty good core exercise and you don't know you're working. I've lost about 10 lbs not really doing anything else different but playing these games about 5 hours per week. I still walk about a mile a day with my dog and family and do the bowflex about 3 times per week, as I did before Wii balance board. But I can honestly attribute 10 lbs weight loss in 3 months to virtual boarding alone... and that's well worth a hundred bucks or so.