Today's sweatiest video: Wii Fit

by Zack Stern { Jul 18th 2007 at 12:00AM }

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.

Tags: balance, exercise, exergaming, fitness, hottestvid, nintendo, skiing, wiifit

Related From Joystiq

GfK-ChartTrack analyzes 2009's global software and hardware sales trends
6 days ago
December NPD: Nintendo ends 2009 on a high note
25 days ago
ELSPA/Chart-Track reveal top 10 UK sellers of 2009
27 days ago

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

A @ Jul 18th 2007 12:07AM

wiibored

a totally unappealing peripheral

Ian Von Porter @ Jul 18th 2007 12:07AM

Fock WiiFit.. i just came back from a 17k run.. time to sit my ass in front of my 1080p XBR2 and play some NGS.

waves @ Jul 18th 2007 12:36AM

Please use more acronyms.

Rubang B @ Jul 18th 2007 1:14AM

PUMA.

faceless coward @ Jul 18th 2007 12:09AM

Looks cool.

3cubedminus3squared @ Jul 18th 2007 1:11AM

Yeah. I liked the last game.
It really shows you that if they tried, they could use this for a lot of things.

samfish @ Jul 18th 2007 12:10AM

Thighmaster commercials were awesome back when I was a kid.

But the best thing about the Thighmaster was that you could fire it clear across a room if you put it on the ground, pulled down and released.

REUYL @ Jul 18th 2007 12:15AM

And you got way more exercise by chasing it across your basement as opposed to actually using the thing.

Benny @ Jul 18th 2007 12:18AM

If this is a success I'm going give up on gaming.

Rubang B @ Jul 18th 2007 1:15AM

Please do! The gaming world needs fewer close-minded whiners that don't want their hobby of choice to evolve.

Visionz08 @ Jul 31st 2007 12:28AM

WTF was that?!

waves @ Jul 18th 2007 12:35AM

Segway simlulator!

KenshinSlayer @ Jul 18th 2007 12:40AM

Unfortunately, this isn't for gamers. Nintendo's going for that whole casual gamers look, so good luck with it not being popular.

KenshinSlayer @ Jul 18th 2007 12:40AM

excuse me hard core gamers.

Tony @ Jul 18th 2007 12:59AM

I'm not entirely sure what will happen. Part of Wii Sports's appeal was that it was still a game and people could play it in a group. I really can't imagine people coming over to my house and wanting to inform every one that their BMI puts them at "overweight".

I don't know, maybe it'll be a major success, but I guess it a far different way than might normally be expected for games. I honestly don't find it that much more interesting than the Power Pad, though.

Ian Von Porter @ Jul 18th 2007 1:28AM

This is for soccer moms, anorexic teenyboppers, fat-ass teenyboppers, trophy wives, etc... its being marketed as a hip and trendy way to get fit.. "we fit"... you dont... get it? They are playing to the snob/elitist appeal.. just take a look at the trailers for this, IKEA living rooms and perfect people.

Anyways, I cant imagine any heterosexual man using this.. wtf, go play football, some b-ball, or hit the gym.

3cubedminus3squared @ Jul 18th 2007 1:31AM

IVP your insecurities are showing again.

Lewis @ Jul 18th 2007 1:04AM

WiiFit: The fatass gamer's way to a social life!

"Hey guys, Let's play with my Wii! Check it out, it can like measure your weight!"

15 minutes later....

"Dude...Pop in Gears Of War and pass me some doritos."

Tuatara @ Jul 18th 2007 1:08AM

"Or is Nintendo is"
???
Perhaps a typo? Clean it up, sloppy Joystiquers! ;P

[[on-topic]]
I'm pretty excited about this. It looks kinda fun, and I've been wanting to do a more interactive kind of fitness thing. Picking a piece of metal and doing sit ups/push ups for an hour everyday is kinda dull. Ski Jumping sounds more fun. ^_^

chamelean75 @ Jul 18th 2007 1:13AM

I think it will do well. I don't think it will be a must have item but I think it will sell pretty well. I think stores will go out of stock with it but more slowly than the wii. At the supposed $70 price tag, it will make people think about the price first but with the wii games being an average of $50 a piece, it makes the board $20 so for most people, that wouldn't be a big deal. I think people who don't think that this will be popular should think again. The Wii is flying off the shelves because people like how it's different and Wii Sports is as simple as you are going to get. People like how you get a game with the system, you don't have to spend loads of money on games. The wiifit will come with 40 activities, for most people, that's a lot of games. Wii sports will get old in some families and the wiifit will help add to the "family" activities.

Evan @ Jul 18th 2007 9:08AM

$70 is cheaper than most exercise gear or a gym membership. Heck, a Wii + WiiFit is cheaper than most exercise equipment! In the context of the fitness market, WiiFit is a bargain. Considering how much money consumers spend on exercise videos, gear, and gimmicks, Nintendo should have no trouble moving WiiFit at $70.

Vidikron @ Jul 18th 2007 10:05AM

@Evan

But you would have to be delusional to think that thing is even going to be remotely comparable to a gym membership or as good as most home equipment. It's kind of sad how many people are actually deluding themselves into thinking the Wii is actually real exercise... this will only make that worse.

samfish @ Jul 18th 2007 1:18AM

It's still incredibly foolish not to have Wii Fit on the shelves for Christmas.

shoop008 @ Jul 18th 2007 1:22AM

My wife wants this. She will probably use it for a week and then it will never be seen again, just like everyone else that buys this or any other late night workout gizmo.

Martez @ Jul 18th 2007 1:22AM

With the news coverage this is gonna get before and after it comes out, it will sell, and it will sell systems. Parents will be all about a videogame system that their kids can enjoy and that they can get some use out of, as well. Plus, it's cheaper than all the other systems, to boot. If you want, you can also check news and weather and browse the web with it. From the perspective of someone with a family, it's practically a no-brainer purchase. Supposed health benefits will sway a lot of people.

I can appreciate the naysayers' position, but this thing is probably going to be a huge success.

Tuatara @ Jul 18th 2007 1:27AM

Seconded. The "OMG FAT KIDS LOSING WEIGHT WITH VIDEOGAMES" wave Wii Sports created will only get stronger with this, I expect local news specials about it, then syndicated coverage, then even more demand. Must be a bitch for anyone without a Wii already. Good luck finding one with SSBB, SMG, MP3, and this on the way. Christmas will be a bloody day.

3cubedminus3squared @ Jul 18th 2007 1:30AM

Sad but true. I don't think I'll ever find a Wii.
I should of bought one when I saw two at Target once.
Now I don't see them anywhere.

J.G.F. @ Jul 18th 2007 2:02AM

I'm fat, I have a Wii, I'm getting this "game".

My apologies to the hard-core audience.

kevolution @ Jul 18th 2007 2:41AM

"With the news coverage this is gonna get before and after it comes out, it will sell, and it will sell systems. Parents will be all about a videogame system that their kids can enjoy and that they can get some use out of, as well. Plus, it's cheaper than all the other systems, to boot. If you want, you can also check news and weather and browse the web with it. From the perspective of someone with a family, it's practically a no-brainer purchase. Supposed health benefits will sway a lot of people.

I can appreciate the naysayers' position, but this thing is probably going to be a huge success. "

-from Martez earlier

I co-sign that !! on the money.

Tom @ Jul 18th 2007 3:45AM

EBgames has WiiFit listed as $69.99 (http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=T000702)...Nintendo is going to be ripping a lot of people off with this "game". Nintendo knows how to sell stupid crap to people, and this will be the ultimate test to see how gullible people really are. To those people thinking of buying Wii fit- here are a bunch of healthier, cheaper and more effective ways to exercise: walking, running, jogging, swimming, play a sport (basketball, soccer, etc.), jump rope, go on a hike, do pushups and/or situps, lift weights...the list goes on and on. Why would anyone pay over $70 (with tax) to simulate a watered down/cheap version of real life activities that are so easily accessible. Save your money and buy real games for the Wii like Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3 and Super Smash Bros Brawl.

Martez @ Jul 18th 2007 6:25AM

I'd think Microsoft's $100 Wifi adapter is the real ultimate test to see how gullible people really are.

WedgeTalon @ Jul 18th 2007 8:16AM

Perhaps because a lot of people find those activities you listed boring? And maybe something like this might be more entertaining for them? And, as far as exercise devices go, $70 is really cheap if you've already got a Wii.

Evan @ Jul 18th 2007 8:30AM

@Tom "Why would anyone pay over $70 (with tax) to simulate a watered down/cheap version of real life activities that are so easily accessible."

1. Because many people don't have easy access to those activities. I don't have a swimming pool. I can't go running or jogging in the winter or bad weather. I'd have to buy a gym membership, which would cost a lot more than WiiFit!

2. Because many people aren't disciplined enough to do the activities on their own. WiiFit will supervise you, and make sure that you do all 20 reps!

Tom @ Jul 18th 2007 3:48AM

Edited link: http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=T000702

Dannybuoy @ Jul 18th 2007 4:23AM

Snowboarding games... thats all I can say.... 1080 anyone?

OHHHH YESSSSSS!

WedgeTalon @ Jul 18th 2007 8:17AM

I would be very surprised if I didn't at least see one snow/skateboarding game. And it would rule.

Evan @ Jul 18th 2007 8:20AM

A balance-board in a real game?

The problem is, many gamers are afraid of games that require learning new skills. Many kids think highly of their "skillz" and "pwning" other players. They have mastered the traditional controller, and will be discouraged by having to learn a new skill where they start off as a "n00b". Any new control scheme threatens their "1337" status.

Vandell @ Jul 18th 2007 2:52PM

Why do people still use the BMI? Apparently, I place as overweight, which - in actuality - is mostly in the muscle. However, I know of plenty of other people who weigh the same as me, but have no muscle whatsoever.

It's an outdated form of 'health measurement' (which in itself is bullshit).