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Nintendo's Wii Fit gets official, set to launch in just two days
If for some reason you've been so far outside of the natural world that you were unaware of Nintendo's impending Wii Fit firestorm, this should get you back in the swing of things. Today the big N has made the forthcoming release of the exercise / gaming sensation officially official in the States. The device is available exclusively at the Nintendo World store in New York City starting today, but will hit other shelves on May 21st, will run you a thrifty $89.99, and launches with software containing more than 40 activities. Of course, you'll never get to experience any of those activities, as there's already a run on stock, and if you haven't pre-ordered then you're pretty much left to the whim of eBay sellers and their inflated prices. Thanks Nintendo!
Obesity experts frown on Wii Fit's fatty-labeling, Nintendo apologizes
Video games can occasionally be the source of some pretty disheartening self-realizations -- like the time Rock Band revealed that you've been lied to your entire life about your angelic singing voice, or when Vampire Rain made you realize that you have incredibly poor taste in video games. However, something tells us these revelations are a bit less heartbreaking than those about to be unleashed by Nintendo's latest best-seller, Wii Fit -- especially when the heart in question is the fragile, butter-soaked heart of an overweight child.Or an average-weighted child, for that matter. You see, Wii Fit measures the user's Body Mass Index (BMI), a weight/height ratio commonly calculated by physicians, though the use of BMI measurements in children is criticized by many dietitians for its frequent inaccuracy. Nintendo recently issued an apology following an incident involving the hurtful labeling of a "solidly built" 10-year-old girl. So, it's like an electronic, $90 version of our fifth-grade gym teacher? We're sold!
Wii Fit: the 30 day test starts today
Since about 20,000 people -- the overwhelming majority of voters in yesterday's poll -- apparently want to see me in pain trying to get in shape with Wii Fit, it looks like it's time to suck it up and do this thing. Although I'd like to start by disclaiming that I've never really worked out with any regularity, I'm not exactly known for my physical coordination, and in school I always came pretty close to flunking PE -- so really, I'm kind of Nintendo's ideal customer.Methodology I'll be working with Wii Fit out about 20 game-minutes a day, 7 days a week. My program will consist of five minutes each of routines and games from the four fitness categories: strength training, aerobics, yoga, and balance games. As a control, I won't be dramatically changing up my eating habits. I'm already a reasonably healthy eater, so any physical changes will be more easily attributable to the Wii Fit regimen. I have about a week of travel scheduled this month, so for whatever days I miss on Wii Fit I'll be extending the trial. I'll chart my changes in weight, BMI, coordination, etc. and thoughts on the experience in a weekly update for the next five weeks. Current statsHeight: 6-feetWeight: 174.5 poundsFrame: small-to-mediumBMI according to Wii Fit: 23.65 (upper cusp of normal)Wii Fit "Body age": 36Wii Fit goal (you have to set a goal for yourself)Target weight: 169.5 poundsTarget BMI: 22.96Target date: 6/12
Wii Fit feet-on: feeling the burn, inadequate
So Nintendo showed up at our place today with a Wii Fit -- and an accompanying personal trainer to crack the whip and make sure our half hour of intro exercises and fitness games burned a sufficient amount of calories. Things we learned: our BMI is on the upper end of the "normal" bracket (shocking, considering how sedentary we are blogging 12 hours a day), our balance is kind of crappy, our "body age" is 39 -- over a decade more than our real age -- and no, not even Nintendo can make a fitness game that doesn't feel at least vaguely like PE. And now the 64k question:%Poll-13872%%Gallery-22433%
Walmart pushing Wii Fit pre-order for Mother's Day
Wal-Mart is saying straight-up that mom could stand to lose a few pounds. Reuters reports that the mega-retailer's online division is pushing pre-orders of Wii Fit as a Mother's Day gift. Wii Fit doesn't release until May 19 in North America, but those who order the pressure-sensitive sweat-board before Mother's Day (May 11) will receive a $10 online gift card to use at Walmart.com in the future.Kelly Thompson, Walmart.com's chief merchant, says the initial sales have been "extremely strong." Due to the fact that the system doesn't come out until a week after the holiday, Thompson recommends giving the $10 online gift card as a present. That's a great idea! We can see it now: "Hey mom, the passive-aggressive gift telling you that you're a fatty mcfat doesn't come for another week. Oh, in the meantime, here's a $10 gift card to Walmart.com." Somehow a nice brunch and flowers sounds like a better option.
Man stages Wii Fit experiment to lose weight, gain fame
About a year ago, one morbidly obese (er, a tiny bit chubby) man began a quest to find out what happens when you stop being polite and try to exercise via Wii Sports (see above). Apparently after losing 9 pounds, dropping two points from his BMI, and 3-inches from his waist, he's ready to go again, this time with the Wii Fit. Sure, it sounds like a second-rate Super Size Me publicity stunt -- and it probably is -- but who doesn't want to see just how lean the Wii's newest accessory can get you? Now, the tubby 191 pound man will run himself through a rigorous Wii Fit program for five shocking weeks. The stunt has already scored him an early Fit from Nintendo, so there's no telling where this could go. We expect to see an Adonis or skeleton when it's all over, pal -- either will do.
GameStop offering free Wii Fit promo DVDs
For those of you who like to collect promotional DVDs, know that GameStop is giving away free DVDs that show off Wii Fit. Our best guess is that the footage on the DVD is things you've already seen (here at Wii Fanboy, we hope), so if you're intending on picking it up and catching something new to watch to hold you over until the bundle is released, then perhaps that might not be the best plan in the world.Instead, we suggest you approach this as an opportunity to show it off to someone in your life who doesn't know what the 411 is. Show the game off to your mom, your English teacher or simply get a bunch of the DVDs and throw them around like ninja stars. That used to be fun with those AOL 3.0 CDs back in the day.%Gallery-4745%
Don't sweat Nintendo, Wii Fit rules UK sales charts
The UK's Chart-Track has told GI.biz that Wii Fit debuted atop the sales charts with 16.3 million in sales. Some basic mathimicating tells us that means some 232,890 units were sold and Chart-Track estimates that 1 in 10 UK Wii console owners purchased the board.The sales eclipsed the record-breaking launch of Mario Kart Wii, which saw a 62% drop in sales but still managed to stay in second place on the sales chart. In terms of money, the Wii Fit launch is the third biggest in UK history, behind GTA: San Andreas and Halo 3 (in fairness, it is £70, instead of £45 or less like many games). We can only imagine how the exercise system did in the rest of Europe ... or how it'll do next month in the glorious land of fat: America.
Wii fit is selling like gangbusters in Europe
Nobody really expected Wii Fit to be a flop, and obviously the rampant success in Japan should've tipped us off, but it looks like the little exercise-centric peripheral is really doing alright for itself over in Europe. Dixons.co.uk says it sold a Wii Fit every four seconds on Friday, and Amazon.co.uk says they sold out within 24 hours. No word on overall sales yet -- they've sold over 1.8 million units in Japan since the December launch -- but we'd recommend you get yourself a preorder or a nice spot in line if you plan on working that flab off anywhere near the May 21st launch date in the US.
Wii Fit now available in Europe
Attention out of shape Europeans: you can now whip your body into a pristine temple of hotness thanks to the Wii Fit. Nintendo's next pile of money has launched all over the UK and EU, so if you've been hankering for a good workout -- but you've been too lazy to actually work out -- now is your chance to shine. The exercise board and accompanying software will cost you £69.99 (around $142) in Britain, or €89.99 for the rest of the Union. If you're waiting for it Stateside, it drops May 19th, and will run you a thrifty $89.99.
Pachter: Wii Fit to raise Wii demand, keep shortages going
Aside from his prediction that he thinks Wii Fit will sell 3-4 million this year, Michael Pachter has grabbed another estimation out from within his bag of tricks: Wii Fit will keep Wii shortages going as it will increase demand for the console. Pachter cited Nintendo's plan to market the crap out of Wii Fit, stating "the increased buzz will drive increased demand for the already difficult to find Wii hardware." Well, we know the UK is crazy over Wii Fit, but Nintendo shouldn't have as hard a time filling demand over there as they have had here in the states. On Pachter's part, this is a pretty safe play to make. The preorders at Amazon are going through the roof and with Wii Fit being on Good Morning, America recently, we're sure the public is very receptive to the product. We're still not sure about that price tag, though.%Gallery-4745%
Wii Warm Up: The price of fitness
We were thinking about the confirmation yesterday that Wii Fit would be setting you back $90. That's a pretty hefty sum, if you ask us. Is it too hefty for you all, though? We've made a poll here for you to weigh in.%Poll-12789%%Gallery-4745%
Separated at birth: Wii Fit Balance Board and Aperture Science turret
Is Nintendo an ancestor of Aperture Science? A dummy corporation? We recently recorded the North American voice of the Wii Fit Balance Board, and it bears an uncanny resemblance to Portal's happy little turrets. Even the hierarchy of henchmen follows Portal. Aperture science has GLaDOS, and Wii Fit has a male- or female-voiced personal trainer.Yes, there are still a few differences. The Balance Board voice -- and we presume nefarious AI -- comes through the Wii and out a TV, while the turrets are all self-contained. Plus the balance board might not be trying to kill us. The verdict is still uncertain, but be warned.Aperture Science turret
Pachter: Wii Fit could keep Wii shortage going
Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pacter states that after attending a recent Nintendo event that he now believes in the sales power of Wii Fit. He thinks Nintendo's fun for the fatties system could "cause a new boom in demand for the Wii." Adding that Nintendo's marketing campaign will aim directly at casual players and make the already scarce system even more difficult to find. Pachter retains a "Buy" rating for Nintendo's stock and maintains the company's profit guidance is conservative. He believes Nintendo's momentum isn't stopping anytime soon. Wii Fit is available in North America beginning May 19 for $90.
Amazon opens preorders for Wii Fit
Following today's confirmation that the path to a more fit and healthy you with Nintendo's Wii Fit will cost you the hefty sum of $90 comes news that Amazon has opened up preorders for the bundle. When? Like, right now. So for those of you who find the idea of parting with such a large amount of money irrelevant compared to the exercise the title will offer, then you might want to head on over and check out the page on Amazon. If you don't want to get it there, let us know where you plan on picking it up!%Gallery-4745%[Thanks, Justin!]
It's pricey to be Wii Fit
Nintendo just sent us a press release confirming our darkest fears: Wii Fit is going to cost almost 1/3rd the price of a Wii at $90. Ouch, our wallets!Of course, we all pretty much knew this was coming, but it's one thing to think something and another to have it told to you. That sound you hear? It's our wallets breathing a sigh of relief, for they know that us lowly bloggers cannot afford such a costly package.With the bundle costing so much, we wonder if it'll do as well as some think it will?%Gallery-4745%
Nintendo confirms: May-bound Wii Fit priced at $89.99
Nothing like a little reassurance on tax day, right? We already knew that GameStop was gearing up to offer Nintendo's Wii Fit for $89.99, but now the Big N has stepped in to affirm said price point. Beginning on May 19th here in the US, Wii Fit, along with the bundled Wii Balance Board, will be sold together for a penny under $90. And for those located near New York City, you can score a sweat rag, er, Wii Fit t-shirt if you're one of the first 1,000 to lay down a $5 deposit at the Nintendo World store between April 18 - 20. Bonus points if you run there, we swear.[Via Joystiq]
Joystiq impressions: Wii Fit mini-games
Sure, Wii Fit is about health and lifestyle, but I'm looking forward to the games; I sampled some of the lesser-known modes at the recent Nintendo Media Summit. We've already played with the hula-hoop, soccer, ski-jump, and other basics, so I jumped straight to tightrope walking, floating in a bubble, and other later unlockables. But first, I warmed up with jogging. %Gallery-4815%
Pachter says 3-4 million for Wii Fit in 2008
Apparently, there's a lot of folks out there looking to tone up their life with Wii Fit. That's what Michael Pachter thinks, as he predicts a whopping 3-4 million copies of Wii Fit being sold in this year alone. That's a $90 package that he expects between 3 and 4 million folks to buy. Wow."Wii Fit will sell 3 million to 4 million in the US if they market aggressively," Pachter said. Well, if Pachter read Wii Fanboy, he'd know that they are putting a lot into their marketing of the game. And, if Pachter's lack of reading game blogs are any indication, the man is woefully under-prepared to make any kind of prediction.%Gallery-4745%[Via Gamespot]
Wii Fit to cost $89.99 at GameStop
Ready to work off those pounds you've put on during the miserable winter? According to a blurry screenshot (as well as a few rounds of independent confirmation), Nintendo's forthcoming Wii Fit will set you back a cool $89.99, and pre-orderers will be asked to hand over ten whole US bucks (up from five) to reserve their copy. Run along now kiddies and get your reservation on -- no really, run.[Via Joystiq]
