Nintendo's Wii Fit 'to make you healthier'

vashivihan · 04-01-2008, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Harry Wallop explains why Wii Fit is expected to be a sure-fire hit for Nintendo

For years computer game developers have claimed that consoles help to train brains.
# Fat risk even if you are healthy weight

Now Nintendo, the company behind the Wii console, is launching a game that it says gets users fit.

The Wii Fit goes on sale on April 25 and the company hopes it will match its success in Japan, where one million units sold in 10 days at the end of last year.

The £70 game comes with a balance board - about twice the size of a set of bathroom balance scales - which links to the Wii console wirelessly.

Players will need to already own a Wii console to play the game.

Players can stand, sit or lie on the board and undertake a range of exercises such as yoga and press-ups, as well as simulate to slalom skiing or hula hooping - all with the guidance of an on-screen fitness expert.

A study by John Moores University has suggested that Wii Sports, an earlier and more sedentary version of the game, could help children lose 27lb over a year if they played the game for 12.2 hours a week.

However, experts think that this game could help people lose weight, as well as get toned.

Professor Andy Jones at the University of East Anglia, who has tested the board, said: "We were looking to see how much energy people were burning using the Wii Fit. They did actually burn a significant number of calories - many times more than you would playing a traditional video game.

"Games like this make people more active without realising they are being active. There's no point in saying 'you have all got to go to the gym more', because it is not going to happen."

Even though the game does not launch until the end of this month, shops and websites, including Amazon, have already stopped taking pre-orders, because they are concerned they will not be able to fulfil customers' demands.

Shopping website Kelkoo calculates that pre-orders have risen tenfold in the past month.

Gaming specialists predict Nintendo will win over a new generation of people, who previously would have taken no interest in computer games, as it did with its Brain Training game.

Ellie Gibson, editor of GamesIndustry.biz, said: "It's going to be a massive hit, especially with mothers and older people."

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Pantalaimn · 04-01-2008, 12:49 PM

If people use Wiifit for a body monitoring devise ie. "interactive scale" to motivate them to do other activities to lose weight and enjoy the balance games and workouts then it can really work. If you see improvement you will be more likely to continue on that track. Checking the Bmi from the WiiFit channel was a good idea. I am in good shape but am still picking this up at launch.

GeezerGuy · 04-01-2008, 05:44 PM

My wife and I are really looking forward to this game!!

LevesqueIsKing · 04-01-2008, 05:46 PM

First of all, they mis-quoted Nintendo. Miyamoto specifically stated that he did not think WiiFit's intentions were to help people lose weight.

You won't get significant results from this game. period.

CantGetAWii · 04-01-2008, 08:00 PM

I am surprised this game is getting so many pre-orders, I figured I would be able to walk in and find a bunch in stores. I am sure I can still do that, but I just thought more people than me would be waiting.

You could lose weight sure, but your going to have to do more to change your lifestyles as people, (eat better, work out without video games etc.) Wii Fit won't be the cure for losing weight, but it could help no doubt.

FR. · 04-01-2008, 08:32 PM

This could get you to lose weight if you use it excessively, but I'm not sure people will take it to those boundries. However, I beleive it will remain as a family-oriented game that anyone can enjoy.

And yes, Levesque is right, Miyamoto clearly said that losing weght was not the intention of the game.

Frogger · 04-01-2008, 08:35 PM

Because Nintendo have already worked so many years making their customers fat anyway.

CocoSSBB · 04-01-2008, 08:51 PM

If you really want to get fit, then work out

goheat · 04-01-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CantGetAWii

I am surprised this game is getting so many pre-orders, I figured I would be able to walk in and find a bunch in stores. I am sure I can still do that, but I just thought more people than me would be waiting.

You could lose weight sure, but your going to have to do more to change your lifestyles as people, (eat better, work out without video games etc.) Wii Fit won't be the cure for losing weight, but it could help no doubt.

Agreed, it is not a panacea, but at least another helpful tool in the fitness arena. I preordered it from Toys 'R' Us with a $5 down payment 2 weeks ago; now they are not doing any more preorders. It will be interesting to see what happens on May 19-20th...