Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Thursday, 15 May 2008 16:18
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 3
Although nothing will replace real, heart thumping, strenuous exercise,
Nintendo have managed to make a “game” that actually makes fitness
activity fun, in what is the latest must-have addition to the Nintendo
Wii.
With 40 exercises and fitness activities, from yoga to a range of games that require you to “balance” on the Wii Fit balance board, as well as the ability to discern your body mass index and track your progress over time, the Wii Fit is destined to be the next big hit for Nintendo.
A cross between a personal trainer, a personal “Wii Sports” game with activities like ski jumping and soccer ball “bouncing” (while avoiding soccer boots), a game where you are the “table” upon which you need to cause marbles to roll into their respective holes and plenty more, and a set of bathroom scales, the Wii Fit is surely the most unique “gaming” controller ever devised.
Totally wireless, the balance board requires that you be less than 150 kg (330 pounds) in weight, and takes you through a range of activities designed to make you, well, fitter.
Of course, it is possible to “cheat” the system, but given that the aim of Wii Fit is to enhance your personal fitness levels, cheating is pointless and gives you no actual satisfaction, unlike cheating in regular games which can be more fun, although also, in the long run, unsatisfying.
The activities include a range of balance games, muscle workouts, yoga and aerobic exercises.
The balance games include that soccer “heading” game, ski slalom, ski jump, table tilt, tightrope tension, the balance bubble, the penguin slide, snowboard slalom and “zazen”.
The aerobic exercises include hoop hoop to try and spin a virtual hoop around your waist, step basics, rhythm boxing, step plus, several types of jogging, free step, and super hula hoop.
What are the muscle workouts, the yoga activities, and my other thoughts on the Wii Fit? Please read onto page 2.
