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New Active Life screens leap, skip, and kayak our way
We found little in the latest batch of Active Life: Outdoor Challenge screens that was new to us, though they are the first English language shots (not that the game was packed with mountains of kanji in the first place). It's the usual mix of runaway minecarts, kayaking, and jumping over logs -- increasingly, this is looking less like an exercise game (and thus a competitor to Wii Fit) and more like a light-hearted selection of minigames bundled with a potentially fun peripheral; we could never imagine Active Life: Outdoor Challenge calling us fat, for example.More screens and (terribly lifestyle) boxart follow the break.
Wii Fit tagged with an expensive, undeserved bill
A poll from the UK insurance firm Sheilas' Wheels analyzed the exercise habits of women, and the potential disaster area that has become their homes. Despite the initial "ZOMG Wii Fit destruction!" outcry from the mass media, the details of the poll really don't have much to do with Nintendo at all.The general response criticizes massive damage caused by these women knocking over junk as they worked out on Wii Fit. On average, £6.55 per person was the estimated dollar (that is, pound) value of destruction, or a whopping £20 million worth total. Wii Fit, you've got some 'splaining to do!Or, not. Wii Fit isn't responsible for the damage at all, and the original release from Sheilas' Wheels merely mentions the popularity of Wii Fit and Nintendo in general -- then immediately states the most popular home exercise method is watching an instructional video or DVD. Sure, the Wii has been responsible for some breakages in the past, but tacking the £20 million sum anywhere near the Balance Board is just poor form. Read over the official Sheilas' Wheels news article before subscribing to the Wii Fit Angry Mob newsletter.Finally, the results explain that the survey was conducted to gather home damage estimates over the past year. Wii Fit has only been out in the UK for a month. The math doesn't add up, and a genuine attempt to gather information on home exercise routines has been misrepresented. Besides, if Wii Fit was solely to blame, what have the women been doing to smash up their stuff during the 11 months before it was released? If you guessed cleaning the kitchen, sewing and baking cookies for the men, you would be correct.%Gallery-4745%
Wii Fit already carving up bods, finding use in rehabilitation
From the get-go, Nintendo's latest console was seen as a dream come true for folks who'd love to lose a few pounds, yet would rather log a few hours on the couch rather than the track. Shortly after the Wii Fit's launch, we're already seeing another wave of dedicated users reporting weight loss, and the trend is even bleeding into the medical field. According to Sue Stanley-Green, a professor of athletic training at Florida Southern College, the Wii Fit and other fitness-related games have "great potential for core strengthening and rehabilitation and may boost compliance with rehabilitation exercises." She also noted that these games were "being used more and more in nursing homes," and particularly with youngsters, titles such as Wii Fit are the only ones that stand a chance at getting them active. We can't decide if that's a positive thing or just downright depressing.[Thanks, Juergen]Read - Wii Fit in rehabRead - Wii Fit weight loss
How would you change Wii Fit?
Okay, so you've had ample time now to shed a few pounds courtesy of Wii Fit. Whether or not you've been diligent enough to stick with it is another thing. Regardless of your level of dedication, we're certain there's a few things Nintendo could have done differently to make the entire experience a bit better. Heck, our own Ryan Block has already chimed in with a few things that he would like to see tweaked, so what's stopping you? Post up your comments while training for bonus points.
Majesco and Jillian Michaels to issue 'Fitness Ultimatum' for Wii
All right, this is the last straw. We in the greater video game industry have watched silently while you claimed you just "didn't have the rhythm" for Dance Dance Revolution. We bit our tongues when you said that Wii Fit was "just a fad." Well, say goodbye to Mr. Nice Industry. We're tired of tip-toeing around your feelings. You have to get fit, and we're issuing a fitness ultimatum to make sure that you do! Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009, to be exact.We're sorry it's come to this ... we really are ... but if a Majesco-published game featuring fitness celebrity Jillian Michaels and Wii Balance Board support is what it takes to break you out of your cycle of unfit living, then damn it, we're willing to release that game in time for the upcoming holiday season. Let's be perfectly clear though ... this 'ultimatum' truly is our last warning that you need to get fit using a video game. If you let this opportunity pass you by, that's it, we're done, you're on your own. Good luck getting fit without the video game industry's help if you drop the ball this time!Aw, who are we kidding? When you get tired of this game we'll try again with another gimmicky fitness simulator. Who could say no to that precious disposable income? Here, have another Halo 3 Mountain Dew.
Tanita works out the Ironman segmental body composition monitor
Getting the low-down on your body fat percentages can involve a scale, calipers, calculator, spreadsheet, and lots of math. Enter the Tanita Ironman Segmental and Full Body Composition monitor. This torture device comes with retractable hand-grip electrodes that measure each body quadrant's water, muscle mass, bone mass, BMR, visceral fat, metabolic age, and physique rating. Engadget Fitness Club (EFC) public service note: keep in mind that electrodes of this sort can be a bit inaccurate based on your water weight. Most fitness experts consider calipers to be the most accurate way to get body composition data even though they're a bear to use. That said, this could be a great long-term monitoring tool if the $299 price tag doesn't scare you off and Wii Fit just isn't doing it for you.[Via ChipChick]
CNN talks gaming for health
CNN is all over the Wii Fit thing. First, they had Mario Armstrong come in and demo the package for them, now Dr. Sanjay Gupta is taking time out to discuss the benefits of using games as a health tool, namely in the rehabilitation sector. We've heard stories about places using Wii to help rehabilitate their patients, but it's now gaining more ground, as Dr. Gupta mentions the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is funding 12 different studies that will specifically see if games can be used as a means for making us healthier individuals.If all the serious medical talk bores you, then laugh at the CNN employees doing the hula hoop minigame while one the Balance Board. They really get into it. %Gallery-4745%[Via Go Nintendo]
Nintendo snubs gamers over 330 lbs.
People all over the world know that many Americans suffer from obesity issues, some more than others. Quite a few folks are even too heavy to play Wii Fit, as the weight limit for the game is 330 pounds (150 kg). Since we don't have any medical experience, we're not sure if Wii Fit would even be the best way for people in that weight class to ease into an exercise regimen (maybe it is, maybe it isn't). But either way, Nintendo doesn't seem to care.For people who bought the game only to find that they're too fat for it, Jill Callahan of NoA recently said, "If this is a product that can not currently be used in your home, you may wish to investigate a possible return of the product to the retailer where you purchased it. Or perhaps you would like to give it as a gift to someone you know who would enjoy it. I hope you find these suggestions helpful." Yikes, can you imagine the humiliation of returning Wii Fit because you're too fat? And the only other alternative Nintendo has to offer is giving someone a $90 gift? Gee, we're sure that helpful advice is really appreciated. We're not blaming Nintendo for their inability to have the Balance Board support over 330 lbs., and labeling the box to say so makes it the consumer's own fault for buying it. But Callahan's response? That's just cold, especially in light of the philosophy behind Wii Fit. Instead, why not tell these gamers to use Wii Fit's weight limit as motivation to reach the game's supported weight level? Anything's better than the "tough luck, we don't care" line.[Via GoNintendo]
Wii Fit: the Balance Smorgasboard
Since Wii Fit finally hit the US market, Wii Fanboy has been teetering all over the Balance Board in an effort to work out the best (and worst) aspects of Nintendo's latest. Check out some of that featured coverage, and jog on over to put your name in the hat to win a copy of the game, as well. The basics Five quick Wii Fit factoids Early impressions, neatly packaged in a single bullet-point list. Wii Fanboy Review: Wii Fit Wherein we break it down -- the good and the bad. Wii Fit vs. Let's Yoga How does Wii Fit stack up against another recent exergaming title available for a Nintendo system? The extras Point/Counterpoint: Wii Fit Awesome title or gaming's death knell? Wii Fit measures JC's apartment Balance board vs. stuff. Ready ... fight! Er, test. Finding space for Wii Fit Sure, the Balance Board is small by itself, but you need space to work out. Let us help you figure out how much. Old school Peripherals that paved the way for the Balance Board A trip through Nintendo's peripheral-littered past. Revolutionary: Balance Boarder Long before the real thing hit, we were making our own thing.
Nintendo pledges more Wii Fit stock to UK
Last month's reassurances over UK shortages of Wii Fit did nothing! Far from "coming in all the time on a weekly basis," stock of the fitness title seems to have dwindled down to an all-time low, leaving an entire nation starved of Wii Fitness and the streets awash with angry stay-at-home mums and overturned cars. This week's UK charts tell the whole story -- Wii Fit sank from third spot to outside the Top 40, and to fifteenth in the Wii's own chart. That's below Game Party.Anyway, this dramatic fall from grace has led to Nintendo having to make further reassurances about the situation, with the company promising that supplies will be replenished as quickly as possible. "There are pockets of stock shortages in areas of the UK", a Ninty spokesman remarked to GamesIndustry.biz. By "areas of the UK," we trust he means "the whole damn country."%Gallery-23454%
Mario Armstrong demonstrates Wii Fit for CNN
Just the fact that a major news outlet is covering Nintendo's Wii Fit isn't enough to be featured on this blog. Oh no, you have to present us with something we want. Here, CNN has succeeded, as the linked video showcases the title's hula hoop minigame. Then again, you're not us, so perhaps you could care less about the hula hooping? If that's the case, then know that they tackle the subject of Wii Fit versus a traditional gym membership or workout regimen in the segment. The individual demonstrating the title for CNN, Mario Armstrong, sees this more as a game and less of a substitute for traditional exercise. He does make a valid point, however, in that Wii Fit could be a good motivator to ease people into a healthier lifestyle, as the physical activity in the game would make it easier for individuals to transition into a more intense routine.%Gallery-4745%[Via Go Nintendo]
Counterpoint: Wii Fit rocks
Wii Fit is dumb? Puh-lease. If anything, Wii Fit and the Balance Board easily rank amongst Nintendo's smartest creations yet.For a start, it's simply a breath of fresh air, a title that genuinely alters the way we play videogames. If that sounds a little too close to PR speak for comfort, consider this: whereas once we would operate games through marginal twitches of our thumbs, Wii Fit demands that we use our whole bodies. It's a wildly original concept. Despite their undoubted quality, the steady stream of Mario and Zelda titles from Kyoto actually attracts criticism from some fans, who carp about Nintendo's lack of innovation. Will those same individuals moan about the introduction of Wii Fit to the marketplace? If so, they're hypocrites.Obviously, originality means little if an idea isn't executed well, yet Wii Fit (typically for a Nintendo game) possesses a fine sheen from top to bottom. The Balance Board is a commendably sturdy and stylish piece of kit (unlike another first-party peripheral I could mention), while the in-game presentation is superb, from the implementation of Miis to the more serious visual styles used in the yoga and aerobics sections.It's certainly not bad for you, either. The actual health benefits of Wii Fit have already been debated over a tiresome number of column inches, and although it's probably not as beneficial as regular gym sessions, the fact that this debate even exists is a good thing. Miyamoto has said that he'd like Wii Fit to make people "aware of their bodies," and his creation has achieved precisely that -- some people are finally leaving the couch. Or, to put it another way: some exercise, or no exercise? Which is dumber?Heck, it even works well as a game. Tried Table Tilt yet? Hella fun. Watching someone else play the Hula Hoop game is frequently hilarious (rubbishing claims that Wii Fit is only worthwhile as a solo experience), while some of the other balance-based games -- Ski jumping and Balance Bubble come to mind -- are excellent distractions in their own right. And then there's the cost. Judging by the sales figures, I wasn't alone in thinking that $90 is an irresistible price point for a game and an accessory as downright sophisticated as the Balance Board (and it won't be suffering from a shortage of software, either).So that's Wii Fit: innovative, clever, involving, and brilliantly executed, all of which are quite the opposite of "dumb." It's set to make Nintendo an absolute stack of cash, and in my opinion it's thoroughly well-deserved. Roll on Wii Fit 2. Wii Fit is dumb Your turn to weigh in %Gallery-23454%
Point/Counterpoint: Wii Fit
Click for larger image With Wii Fit finally hitting store shelves, it's time for us to weigh in with our Point/Counterpoint feature. Within, we tackle the issue at hand both positively and negatively. Sometimes we're serious, sometimes we're silly. Hopefully, you'll find something inside to your liking. Without further ado, let's get this shindig on the road. So, go ahead and click that Wiimote in the bottom right-hand corner to get started. What's the deal, Wii Fit? %Gallery-4745%
Wii Fit: You decide!
Click for larger image There's every chance you'll already have made your mind up on Wii Fit, but hopefully one of our perspectives will have influenced those of you who are undecided. So what's it going to be, folks? You decide!%Poll-14730% Lovin' Wii Fit Back placeholdertextthisis
Point: Wii Fit is dumb
Click for larger image Okay, so I'm immature. Sue me.From a business standpoint, Wii Fit is an obviously excellent decision. For me, though, I wonder about what kind of effect the successful venture will have on the future of the Wii. Sure, Wii Fit follows Nintendo's goal of extracting money from the wallet of every person on the planet, but think about this: what big titles have we seen from Nintendo since the introduction of Wii Fit? Actually, what have we seen period from Nintendo since the unveiling of Wii Fit? Any big first-party titles planned? Reggie hinted, but we honestly have no idea!Aside from that, Wii Fit helps Nintendo distance themselves from the model of actually making games for their games console. Wii Fit is selling like some kind of made-up word, proving to the company that they're less relied on to innovate in the games space and instead should put more focus on expanding the market, luring in non-gamers with a barebones fitness experience and other similar products going forward. This could put a damper on Nintendo dishing out new titles for their longtime fans who actually crave nothing more than installments in the company's key franchises. Sure, we've all played the Super Mario games, but one thing that keeps us coming back, despite the supposed lack of innovation in each installment (as some say) is that each entry does innovate, if only a tad sometimes. We don't keep playing these games out of some nostalgic loyalty to the characters. We play because the games are good.Finally, people, the thing is way too expensive. You're talking about a $90 bundle, which is more than a third the cost of the console (given that you can find one), for nothing more than a plastic board and an introductory fitness application. We're not talking Brain Age here, where Nintendo is offering a mass market experience at a mass market price. We're talking the kind of price you see on a monthly electric bill. Introductions Wii Fit = great %Gallery-23307%
Wii Fanboy Review: Wii Fit
Nintendo has finally accomplished some things they've wanted for a long time: expansion of the gaming market and a few successful peripherals. They've been trying to convince us that add-ons are the way since the beginning. The problem was that the games didn't really hold up their end of the bargain.Now, however, Nintendo has achieved the kind of universal appeal in their simpler games that allows them to expand into all sorts of oddities, and Wii Fit is just one example. Half game, half lifestyle tool, Wii Fit rides on the coattails of the success of both the Wii and the DS (and its popular Brain Age) into living rooms around the world. But once there, how's the experience?%Gallery-4745%
Aussie gamers prefer smashing their guns over getting shot
Speaking with the local paper merchants, Nintendo Australia's Rose Lappin seemed to like Wii Fit's chances against the current everywhere-but-Wii juggernaut Grand Theft Auto. After starting out with standard banter concerning the Wii and DS dominating Aussie sales charts, Lappin confidently talked up the ability of Wii Fit to snag the majority interest of gamers over the long-term.A bunch of sweaty Australian fitness fanatics have already been doing push-ups (read: smashing guns) for almost three weeks now using Wii Fit. During that time, the Balance Board of Justice stole the top sales spot away from GTA IV (irony is funny), and it hasn't been able to reclaim its crown. Lappin reassures us that Wii Fit will be supported for a long time, and is also pleased to see some physical education programs in local schools using the package to transform John Q Kid into Lil' Rambo. We're sure this is music to the ears of many parents in Australia, who would love to keep their chil'n away from Niko Bellic and his array of misadventures.%Gallery-4745%[Via Aussie-Nintendo]
Miyamoto 'stressed' by Wii Fit
According to Time's latest interview with Shigeru Miyamoto, there may have been some genuine upending of tea tables during the making of Wii Fit, as opposed to the metaphorical kind that Shiggy prefers.Chatting to the publication to promote the game, Miyamoto confessed that the he and his team felt "a lot of nervousness" while developing the title, and that the lofty expectations of other people caused some stress. The article also mentions that the game's development "nearly led his 15-person development team to quit in frustration," though we've no idea whether that's Time slightly embellishing a story, or what Miyamoto actually said.All this talk of feeling stressed, Shiggy, and yet our letters offering slow, sensual shoulder rubs still go unanswered. He can't complain.%Gallery-23307%[Via Go Nintendo]
Tracking Wii Fit's online availability
Did you neglect to preorder Wii Fit or pick it up on launch day, yet still want to buy Nintendo's much hyped fitness title? Then you might have noticed that it's pretty hard to find, depending on where you live. If eBay is any indication of the market's general trends, though, supply is currently not meeting the game's demand.Should you want to avoid the hassle of calling all your local stores and waiting on lines, you might want to utilize zooLert. The website updates every two minutes, checking all the major online retailers that are selling Wii Fit. You can have the site email you when the game is in stock online, or even add the feed to your RSS so that you don't have to constantly watch the page.Procrastinators, this one's for you.[Via CAG]
WRUP: Feeling the burn edition
This week's big release is none other than Wii Fit. It's not only something many of you diehard Wii fans have been looking forward to, but also the mainstream public. Mothers and kids, grandparents and siblings, people from all walks of life have raised an eyebrow and perked their ears up after hearing about it. People are down with the fitness bundle.Are you? Did you get your copy of Wii Fit yet? Are you planning on getting in some quality workout time this weekend? Are you playing something else? What are you playing?%Gallery-23454%
