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Wii Warm Up: Will you get fit?
We're getting closer to "early 2008," which means it's almost time for Wii Fit. Are you squirreling money away for the fitness program and balance board, or are you waiting? Time has dulled our excitement a little; after all, we've had a few months to get used to the idea, though once it gets closer to release, we may perk up again and start bouncing on our toes (or balancing, in preparation). Are you similarly on the fence, or have you made up your mind one way or another?I personally think it may be a fun (and quiet) way to help shed that baby weight in the coming months, but since I can't see my feet at the moment, we'll have to see how things go when we get there!
Japanese release of Wii Fit met by loooong queues
We may still lack solid numerical data when it comes to Japanese sales of Wii Fit, but all the early signs have been pointing to Nintendo scoring another major non-game hit.The scene to the right, for example, shows a queue of soon-to-be Wii Fit owners, patiently lining up in Akihibara. As the pictures after the jump and at the link below illustrate, this is far from a one-off; Wii Fit is shaping up to be big, in a way that poor old Super Mario Galaxy wasn't.Barring shortages of the Balance Board, or another miraculous performance from Dragon Quest IV (not that that should be completely ruled out), expect Wii Fit to be hogging top spot in Japan next week.
Hot Wii Fit unboxing action
Cheapy D over at CAG got his hands on one of the recently-released Wii Fit packages and did what any responsible gamer would do: filmed himself unpacking it. In opening the bad boy up, he reveals that the components are a lot smaller than we would have imagined. In all, though, it's a sweet video that should give all of you the look at the device you want and need.[Via Go Nintendo]
Wiimote inspires 'virtual exercise' contraption
When students in Queensland, Australia recently attempted to make exercise bikes interesting to use (surely an impossible feat if you ask us, but good luck to them), they turned to the Wii's unique controller for a helping hand. Their idea was straightforward enough: place a giant screen in front of the user which shows them merrily zipping through the countryside and other virtual vistas as they cycle.But for this to work effectively, two Wiimotes were required -- one strapped to the cyclist's helmet (so that turning the head would allow users to take in scenery around them), and one to the leg of the cyclist (meaning the device could detect what speed users were travelling at, and adjust the on-screen image accordingly).They're calling it "virtual exercise," and say the next step is to take the image from the screen and have it projected into a pair of goggles, before selling the idea to gyms. Presumably they'll have found an alternative to the Wiimote by then, but if this does show up in your local sweatshop in the future, know where the inspiration came from, eh?[Thanks, Maddles!]
Friday Video: Wii Fit in demos
GameTrailers has a ridiculous number of Wii Fit trailers and demos up right now. While they're all in Japanese, the videos still offer a great (if sedate) look at the fitness trainer and its different uses. We've put one up here in our weekly video spotlight, but if you have the urge to watch more, you'll have to head over there. We're not kidding when we say there's a lot.%Gallery-4745%
Wii Fit boxed, screened, and put in motion
It's been a while since we've seen anything on Wii Fit, but Dengeki Online has an update that includes several screens, a shot of the boxed set, and a video preview of the fitness title. The Japanese release date is getting closer and closer, and we can't wait to gauge public reaction to the title. Critically, of course, the nongame continues to be lauded; Popular Mechanics recently named it one of the top ten "gadgets" of 2007, and it's not even out yet!Jog on past the break to get a peek at the box -- but to see the video, you'll have to head over to the source. %Gallery-4745%
Wii Warm Up: Competition for Wii Fit
Wii Fit may encourage you to exercise, but this bad boy requires that you do it -- for real, none of this leaning crap -- in order to play your game of choice. Gamercize hooks into both the controller and a piece of real exercise equipment and unless you're actively working it, your controller won't function. That's one way to increase the difficulty on something. Metroid Prime 3 too easy? Throw in a little cycling while you're at it and see how many times you miss those jumps. We're not sure just how much the Wii Gamercize system will cost you, however; though they promise to start marketing their setup for the next-gen consoles this month, the site doesn't yet seem to be updated. Apparently Gamercize has been around for a while, but we missed hearing about it. Now that we have, we're honestly not sure if we should just laugh or actually be interested. It could be a neat idea, but there's something about it that inspires giggles. Whatcha think?
Today's don't-try-this-at-home video: Homemade Wii Fit
Don't want to wait until later this year try the latest spastic exergaming craze, Wii Fit? Are the Wii graphics just too high-res for you? Wish Wii Fit looked a touch more dangerous?Gametrailers user, "neadha," answers the call to all three challenges, showing a homebrew balance game grafted to an old version of Pong. Standing on a skateboard deck on a cylinder, the Pong paddle slides up or down with every tilt. Or at least that's the idea. The game is so hardcore that the ball wings across the screen too quickly to react.With a little tuning, the game might be cool. But clearly, a helmet is advised, lest this turn into Jackass. See the video after the break.
Canadian gym sets up Wii Sports in style
Vancouver's Studeo 55 is the latest to see the benefits of Wii Sports in action and they've decided to dedicate some space to the game -- and when we say space here, we mean it. They've set up a console in a 400 square foot theater-style room with a huge projection screen. The upscale gym, which caters to wealthier patrons willing to pay sizable membership fees each month, has been encouraging members to use Wii Sports as a warm-up or cooldown exercise, or as part of a circuit training regimen. Former Olympic swimmer Kim Bey gave the title a try despite some early reservations. "I'm not a video game person ... So at first, it was like, 'I don't get it,'" she said. But after playing with her personal trainer, she started to understand the benefits of a game as part of an exercise regimen. Not everyone was such an easy sell, however. Video games aren't very popular among most workout aficionados; in fact, owner Nathan Mellalieu reportedly faced a lot of criticism over the decision to include Wii Sports at first. Once patrons can be convinced to give it a try, however, reactions seem to change. Mellalieu cautions those who need to lose a lot of weight against depending solely on their Wiis, however -- a few games of Wii Sports is not enough for an overall lifestyle change, but the title can certainly be a part of that. We can't help but wonder if the addition of Wii Fit will spread the console's reputation as an exercise-helper even further. Maybe we'll start to see Wiis in gyms everywhere![Thanks, Alex!]
Today's sweatiest video: Wii Fit
With all the fun of balancing combined with the appeal of yoga in front of a TV, Wii Fit isn't aiming for a gamer demographic. But gamers may still have fun getting physical later this year. GameTrailers shows some of the more playful elements: rolling balls into holes, ski jumping, and hula-hooping.Brain Age meets body? Or is Nintendo working its way up to a seven intelligences title? See the latest from Wii Fit after the break.
Wii Fit pad similar to 25-year-old Atari accessory
While the mainstream press gets ready to crown Nintendo the innovator of fresh new gaming technology, Water Cooler Games points out the Wii Fit balance pad isn't as revolutionary as some may think. Way back in 1982 (yes, the same year Michael Jackson unleashed Thriller), Persuasive Games released a balance board accessory for the Atari VCS called the Joyboard. Only one game supported the peripheral: a ski jumping title called Mogul Maniac, and the technology wasn't nearly as advanced as the Wii Fit pad. The idea was there, however, Nintendo just came along with its magic touch and made it ten times better.[Thanks, Vlad]
Heart rate sensor controls games' difficulty
Throughout the history of mankind, our heart has been used for one thing: pumping blood. Now researchers at the University of Udine in Italy have come up with a better use: making videogames more challenging. Using a pulse oxymeter sensor worn around the upper body, players can control games by moving back and forth. As you move your heart pumps faster and the game responds by increasing the difficulty. The system is meant to be used to help maintain the right level of exertion during exercise. Being physically active is great, but if you ask us, we'd rather play with the intimate controller.[Via Engadget]
Exercise bike gets attachment for PSP
Exercise is boring, we all know it, otherwise we'd be out there jogging across the hills instead of playing Halo 2. A new kit for Trixter's Total Body X-Bike attempts to bridge the gap between über-fun gaming and extra-boring stationary biking, but only a little. The X-Bike Sony PSP Kit attaches to the front of the bike to hold a PSP for your viewing pleasure. You won't be able to play God of War: Chains of Olympus while biking (we encourage you to try, of course), but movies are a go, and if you're one of those cheery lads who have bought UMDs, consider yourself "hooked up".[Via PSP Fanboy]
In DS-land, playground comes to you
EA likes to swim against the tide. In the era of exer-gaming, they're making a game that's all about sitting on your ass while pretending you're at the playground for a fun-time experience. Obviously, it will sell ten million copies -- after all, it's on the DS, and we all know what that means: profit.Admittedly, EA Playground is a My Street-Wii Sports mashup, and since it's aimed at younger gamers, it's an easy target. The bold, bright visuals and odd character models don't do much for us, but maybe that's okay -- it's not for us. But a mini-game collection with a casual stab at story-telling doesn't sound nearly as engaging as most DS fare, and we can blow into the microphone in a million different ways if we are so inclined. We'll keep an eye on this one, but at first glance, we're not terribly impressed, and we like games largely aimed at younger players.[Via Joystiq]
NY Times: W. Virginia schools begin adding DDR to curriculum
Over a year ago, West Virginia announced plans to incorporate Dance Dance Revolution into the physical education curriculum in all of their 765 public schools. Today, the New York Times takes a look at their progress, with nearly all of the state's 185 middle schools already outfitted with the obesity-battling leg-shaking simulator and the remainder of the 765 due to receive theirs by next year. While the article goes over the regular praise for exergaming -- namely, getting sedentary kids off their do-nothing keisters -- it's a welcome update on one state's ambitious plans. Huge bonus points to the first state that requires kids to play Devil May Cry with that DDR pad.
Schools test edugaming in classroom
We've spoken ad infinitum on educational gaming, exercise gaming and serious games. It's an important cause and one that can prove mutually beneificial. (For the educators, a new way to teach and motivate children; for the game makers, a feeling of civic duty and another source of income.)Reuters has a rather lengthy piece (with an eye-catching headline) about current efforts to incorporate the interactivity of video games with schooling. Games requiring team effort are presented (Indiana University associate professor Sasha Barab's Quest Atlantis, pictured), as are proponents of using game-related technologies in grades six through 12. The latter, Katie Salen, is speaking at a Living Game Worlds symposium later this month.The article tackles the other side of the issue, that games have been linked (and just as often unlinked) to attention deficit disorder and aggressive behavior. Everything good comes with some consequence. We feel that aspects of the video game technology can outweigh consequences when incorporated with the bad. That, and we're hoping to rekindle our love with a new generation of Math Blasters and Mario Teaches Typing.
Wii wrist weights? Why?
OK, we know the whole Wii as window to weight loss fad is big right now, but we can't for the life of us figure out what would inspire someone to create these prototype Wii-branded exercise weights and then shop them around to investors for mass production. For one thing, similar wrist weights are already available in practically any sporting goods store for just a few bucks. You can even get them in a stylish white to match your Wii and remote. For another thing, we're pretty sure using the Wii logo like this on a marketed product without the explicit approval of Nintendo is just asking for a world of legal trouble. Still, the idea of using wrist weights while working out with your Wii isn't a bad one. Reminds us of those Dragon Ball characters who used weighted clothing to lower their power level as they took on their friends in Wii Sports boxing. Or something.
Mayo Clinic prescribes active games
The Wii has been getting a lot of attention lately, mainly because of its different control mechanism. However, movement in gaming isn't a new concept, which hearkens to days such as the NES Power Pad. Now, exergaming is getting a supporter. The Mayo Clinic has released a report on the results of an exergaming study. Using a sedentary base, games that use a camera (such as EyeToy) and using a treadmill while gaming burned triple the amount of calories as sitting (five times over for more obese children); dance games registered the greatest calorie burn at six times the sitting rate. With this new study, Nintendo is likely to jump on and further promote the health benefits of playing the Wii. Pulling children away from video games is a difficult task these days. While the Wii will unlikely burn the fat like Dance Dance Revolution would, they can add a bit to the marketing pamphlet to say the Wii requires exercise (if used right) for something their kid would otherwise be vegetating to do. As if we needed any more reasons to buy a Wii. [Thanks, Ben]
Fitness gaming moves beyond DDR
Gaming is frequently blamed for many of society's ills. One social problem, child obesity, is now being taken on by gaming. Gymkids, a UK manufacturer of children's fitness products, has released the Step2Play,seeks to tackle the problem of childhood obesity not by taking the games away, but turning every game played into a workout. The theory behind Step2Play is that outdoor activities aren't necessarily for everyone and that many kids simply won't put down the controller. The Step2Play system, which resembles a stair-stepper workout machine, plugs into the child's Playstation 2. If the child wishes to play the game, he must use the machine. If the child stops, the controller cuts off and the game cannot be played. Parents can even change the pace the child must keep up to develop a workout regimen. For £115.00, parents can buy a tool that could prove valuable in battling life-long illnesses that result from obesity. The site does not indicate if the product works in other markets, such as the United States, or if they will ship internationally. The product does have opponents who claim that Step2Play only highlights the problems with society; however, why should we undertake an impossible social re-engineering program when it's far easier to convince people to better themselves by playing on what they normally do every day? [Thanks Jose]
Serious Games Summit: ExerGaming + EduGaming = ExerLearning
It's a no-brainer that games like Dance Dance Revolution can do wonders in combating our country's growing youth obesity epidemic. But can rhythm-action games also help children improve cognitive skills like reading comprehension and concentration?Former Florida teacher Judy Shasek would likely answer that question with an emphatic yes. With the help of a $125,000 sponsorship from RedOctane, Shasek has integrated games like Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero and accessories like the X-Board into the curricula at three test schools around the country for the past three years. The results, Shasek said in a presentation at the Serious Games Summit, mirror the results of numerous academic studies that show 10 minutes of aerobic activity before a test can be more helpful than 20 minutes of tutoring, and that replacing four hours per week of class time with physical education helps standardized test scores go up.What's more, playing rhythm games leads to improved algebra skills, Shasek says, and reading fast-moving notes in games like DDR helps train children's eyes for reading text. No ones really sure why these games have the cognitive effects that they do, but the working theories involve increased oxygenation to the brain and hidden, unlocked power in the cerebellum, the brain's motion and balance center. Whatever the science, Shasek says introducing the games also has fringe benefits like decreased absenteeism and improved attentiveness among students.Shasek is hoping to expand her program to teachers and schools across the country through her web site, Generation Fit, which includes some great videos of students getting their dance on. She's also trying to expand the benefits to the adult workplace with Revive! Nation, a program focused on adding rhythm games to break/lunch rooms. With physical activity on the decline among kids and adults, we can only say more power to her.
