Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/JoystiqThe Joystiq Podcast combines insightful commentary on the week's video game news and culture with several disembodied, often spooky, voices. Voices may or may not belong to Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann, Joystiq.com editors, or their guests. Spookiness not guaranteed where prohibited, please check local laws. More information available at www.joystiq.comEA Sports working on sweaty Wii Fithttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/ea-sports-working-on-sweaty-wii-fit/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/ea-sports-working-on-sweaty-wii-fit/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/ea-sports-working-on-sweaty-wii-fit/#commentsFiled under: ,


EA Sports president Peter Moore tells Eurogamer that the division is working on a Wii fitness game utilizing the pressure-balancy-board thing. The game will release under the new casual-oriented Freestyle label and will focus on "western" cardio workouts instead of Wii Fit's "eastern holistic fitness."

EA's version of Wii Fit is intended to make the user sweat while still having fun. Although Moore wouldn't get into specifics of the game, he would say that the key is to distract the user and make them have fun without realizing they're having a good workout. Hopefully, EA's exercise game will come with a Shamwow and some disinfectant spray for the board. Yes, we've now come to fear the fungal side of Wii Fit.
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]]>ea-sportseasportsmoorepeter-moorewii-fit2008-05-08T15:00:00+00:00Wii Fit sells out on Amazon, 2.5 units sold every minutehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/wii-fit-sells-out-on-amazon-2-5-units-sold-every-minute/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/wii-fit-sells-out-on-amazon-2-5-units-sold-every-minute/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/wii-fit-sells-out-on-amazon-2-5-units-sold-every-minute/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Amazon.com has sold out of its Wii Fit pre-orders. We spoke with an Amazon representative who told us that the online retailer depleted its pre-order stock this past Sunday and had been selling approximately 2.5 units per minute since reserves began April 15. Amazon could not discuss how many units sold, but if we assume the selling rate remained steady from April 15 until the end of May 3, we're looking at 68,400 balance boards (check us, mathemagicians!).

Expect the mainstream hype train for Wii Fit to only gain steam leading up to the May 19 US launch. The "game" is already conquering the UK and Europe, it's being added to Westin Hotel exercise rooms and Wal-Mart's pushing the thing for Mother's Day. We're just waiting for Oprah to give one to everyone in her studio audience or Ellen to goof around with it on her show. You know it's got to happen.
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]]>amazonwii-fit2008-05-06T16:00:00+00:00Westin Hotels add Wii, Wii Fit to their exercise roomshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/westin-hotels-add-wii-wii-fit-to-their-exercise-rooms/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/westin-hotels-add-wii-wii-fit-to-their-exercise-rooms/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/westin-hotels-add-wii-wii-fit-to-their-exercise-rooms/#commentsFiled under: ,


In Nintendo's tireless pursuit to reach every single demographic ever, they've partnered up with Westin Hotels to stick Wii Sports and Wii Fit setups in the hotel chain's exercise rooms. Why is this particular outreach unique? Think about it: they're targeting people who exercise when they're not even home! We hate to repeat hurtful stereotypes but, while the gamers we know may not be as sedentary as some would have you believe (read: our advertisers), they're not really the type to pack a pair of running shoes next to their PSP for their next business trip. Result: new demographic.

Just in case you are the type to excercise while staying at a hotel and you accidentally stumbled here while looking for the Runner's World magazine website, we've included a list of the first 10 participating Westin hotels after the break.

Continue reading Westin Hotels add Wii, Wii Fit to their exercise rooms

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]]>NintendoWestinWii-FitWii-Sports2008-05-02T17:30:00+00:00Walmart pushing Wii Fit pre-order for Mother's Dayhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/walmart-pushing-wii-fit-pre-order-for-mothers-day/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/walmart-pushing-wii-fit-pre-order-for-mothers-day/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/walmart-pushing-wii-fit-pre-order-for-mothers-day/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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.
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]]>mothers-daymothers-day-giftmothers-day-giftswal-martwalmartwii-fitwiifit2008-05-02T10:30:00+00:00Raving Rabbids + Wii Fit balance board = YOGAAAAAAAAAH?http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/29/raving-rabbids-wii-fit-balance-board-yogaaaaaaaaah/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/29/raving-rabbids-wii-fit-balance-board-yogaaaaaaaaah/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/29/raving-rabbids-wii-fit-balance-board-yogaaaaaaaaah/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In the above teaser video, which Gametrailers has labeled "Rayman Raving Rabbids 3," you'll note the appearance of one of Ubisoft's lovable and inherently demented hoppy things. While that is often amusing in its own right, this particular Rabbid appears to be figuring out how to properly operate a Wii Fit balance board. While his time with it ultimately results in weight gain, we get the feeling he's trying to tell us about some new use for the peripheral in his next mini-game miasma ...

[Thanks, StarFoxA]
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]]>Balance-BoardDAAAAAAAAAAAAAHMinigamesRaving-RabbidsRayman-Raving-RabbidsUbisoftWii-Fit2008-04-29T17:00:00+00:00Another analyst says Wii Fit will push Wii shortageshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/another-analyst-says-wii-fit-will-push-wii-shortages/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/another-analyst-says-wii-fit-will-push-wii-shortages/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/another-analyst-says-wii-fit-will-push-wii-shortages/#commentsFiled under: ,

While it's hard to get game industry analysts to agree on something as simple as whether the PS3 will be the best-selling or worst-selling console of this generation, it seems they are largely in agreement about one thing: Wii Fit is gonna be absolutely ha-yuuuge for Nintendo and the Wii. Lazard Capital Markets Analyst Colin Sebastian told GameDaily today that Wii Fit "could also exacerbate the supply constraints of the Wii console itself," echoing similar comments made yesterday by Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter.

In addition to foreseeing supply problems for the Wii Fit game-and-balance-board combo pack itself, Sebastian predicted Nintendo would soon start producing over 2 million Wii units per month (up from 1.8 million currently) in a desperate attempt to meet demand for the system. A great idea, and one we'll recommend to Nintendo one-and-a-half years ago, as soon as our time machine is finished.
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]]>analystcolin-sebastianshortagewii-fit2008-04-17T02:00:00+00:00Pachter: Wii Fit could keep Wii shortage goinghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/pachter-wii-fit-could-keep-wii-shortage-going/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/pachter-wii-fit-could-keep-wii-shortage-going/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/pachter-wii-fit-could-keep-wii-shortage-going/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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.

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]]>casualpachtersupplywii-fitwiifit2008-04-16T06:00:00+00:00Joystiq impressions: Wii Fit mini-gameshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/joystiq-impressions-wii-fit-mini-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/joystiq-impressions-wii-fit-mini-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/joystiq-impressions-wii-fit-mini-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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.
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Continue reading Joystiq impressions: Wii Fit mini-games

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]]>mini-gameminigamenintendo-media-summi...nintendo-media-summit-08wii-fitwiifit2008-04-15T09:00:00+00:00Wii Fit priced for $90 at GameStop, pre-order $10http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/wii-fit-priced-for-90-at-gamestop-pre-order-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/wii-fit-priced-for-90-at-gamestop-pre-order-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/wii-fit-priced-for-90-at-gamestop-pre-order-10/#commentsFiled under: ,


According to a blurry GameStop release list image posted by WiiCast over the weekend, the charge for admission into the Wii Fit club will be $90. We've confirmed with various local GameStops that the game is listed in its system for $90. Pre-orders are being offered for $10 instead of the regular $5, but the two-fold increase is something we've heard has been in the GameStop pipeline for a while.

Nintendo confirmed with Joystiq that the only thing released is that [Wii Fit] will be under $100 when it debuts on May 19. North America is the only announced region for Wii Fit without a confirmed price tag, with Europe and Australia ready to pay over $100 USD for the pressure-sensitive sweat board.

[Via Wii Fanboy]

Gallery: Wii Fit

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]]>balance-boardbreakingnewsnintendowii-fit2008-03-24T13:00:00+00:00Wii Fit makes Australia sweat May 8http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/wii-fit-makes-australia-sweat-may-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/wii-fit-makes-australia-sweat-may-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/wii-fit-makes-australia-sweat-may-8/#commentsFiled under: ,


Another continent getting Wii Fit before the US? Oh, the irony. Gamespot reports Wii Fit will help Australians through their winter doldrums beginning May 8 at the suggested price of $150 Australian ($140 USD, €91). The Aussie retail Wii Fit includes the same peripherals and software as other regions.

Wii Fit has already sold over a million units in Japan and is ready to feel the burn in Europe beginning April 25 for £69.99 in the UK, and €89.99 for everyone else. The US has a scheduled release of May 19, but no price has been set.
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]]>australiawii-fitwiifit2008-03-11T11:00:00+00:00Ubisoft reveals DS pedometer for 'My Weight Loss Coach'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/ubisoft-reveals-ds-pedometer-for-my-weight-loss-coach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/ubisoft-reveals-ds-pedometer-for-my-weight-loss-coach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/ubisoft-reveals-ds-pedometer-for-my-weight-loss-coach/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Vying for a portable-gaming equivalent to the Wii Fit audience, Ubisoft has announced that their Nintendo DS title My Weight Loss Coach will ship with a pedometer peripheral, that will allow the game to track your movement throughout the day, independent of the game or DS.

The special pedometer uses an internal battery to keep track of its movement while separate from the DS. Users carry the device around with them in their pocket. Once plugged into the GBA slot of the user's DS, the device then transfers that data collected into My Weight Loss Coach, which factors in the movement into its daily health calculations.

Due out this summer, My Weight Loss Coach sounds like an interesting addition to Ubisoft's growing lineup of non-games targeted at the casual audience. And who doesn't love pedometers?

Gallery: My Weight Loss Coach

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]]>exercisehealthmy-weight-loss-coachubisoft2008-03-10T16:15:00+00:00Major League Eating crammed into WiiWarehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/major-league-eating-crammed-into-wiiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/major-league-eating-crammed-into-wiiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/major-league-eating-crammed-into-wiiware/#commentsFiled under: ,

mle
Shovelware has graduated to the next level: irony. Turns out Mastiff plans to debut its coveted Major League Eating license on WiiWare, when the service launches May 12. Players will literally simulate the shoveling of food into their mouths using Nintendo's patented Waggletech(R). You thought busted TVs were bad? Wait till someone swallows a Wiimote.

Major League Eating: The Game features two-player offline play, plus an online mode and leaderboards. Players will be taught to use various techniques -- like the cram, toss and typewriter -- while engaging opponents with an arsenal of 'gurgitatory' weaponry, including bites, burps, belches, mustard gas and jalapeño flames. Burp-offs and hot potato challenges are also con-firmed. This can't be ... Oh yes, it's real.
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]]>major-league-eatingmastiffmleshovelwarewiiware2008-02-29T16:30:00+00:00Wii Fit priced for Europehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/27/wii-fit-priced-for-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/27/wii-fit-priced-for-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/27/wii-fit-priced-for-europe/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Europe found out today how much Wii Fit will cost them when it releases on April 25 -- as we continue to bathe in the irony that the Europeans will get an exercise tool a month before the US. The UK will have a Wii Fit membership fee of £69.99, while the rest of Europe pays €89.99.

The conversion of those prices to USD ends up being around $130, but Europeans are used to paying more for their games, and although Nintendo has yet to set price for the US, it did say that it would be under $100. So, $99.99?

[Via Wii Fanboy]
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]]>europenintendowii-fitwiifit2008-02-27T12:30:00+00:00Nintendo: Wii Fit steps into US May 19, WiiWare launches May 12http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/wsj-wii-fit-steps-into-us-may-19-wii-ware-launches-may-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/wsj-wii-fit-steps-into-us-may-19-wii-ware-launches-may-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/wsj-wii-fit-steps-into-us-may-19-wii-ware-launches-may-12/#commentsFiled under: ,


Update: Nintendo has confirmed these dates with a press release.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Nintendo's highly anticipated and equally exhausting balancercise board and game, Wii Fit, will arrive arrive beneath American feet on May 19th. The exercise program and peripheral, a result of designer Shigeru Miyamoto's habitual monitoring of his own weight, has sold over a million units in Japan following its launch in December.

The article, which predicts an official announcement from Nintendo later today (see update above), also pins the launch of the WiiWare service to May 12th. WiiWare will be a new download service offering smaller, independent games from developers such as Steel Penny Games and doublesix.

[Via Wii Fanboy]
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]]>BreakingNewsWii-FitWiiFitWiiWare2008-02-20T08:00:00+00:00Nintendo's Miyamoto, Iwata discuss Wii Fit originshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/nintendos-miyamoto-iwata-discuss-wii-fit-origins/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/nintendos-miyamoto-iwata-discuss-wii-fit-origins/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/nintendos-miyamoto-iwata-discuss-wii-fit-origins/#commentsFiled under: ,


In the latest edition of "Iwata Asks," a series of articles in which Nintendo president and CEO Satoru Iwata interviews colleagues about their recent work, Shigeru Miyamoto finds himself discussing the origins of Wii Fit. Much like Pikmin and Nintendogs before it, the popular balancercise board has its roots in Miyamoto's everyday life. After a hectic work schedule heaped pressure and extra pounds onto the renowned designer's body, he swapped smoking for swimming and steadily grew more conscious of his body and his weight.

Next came a special diet which required frequent measurement and recording of body weight. "Personally, I quite enjoy doing things that become habitual, as if it was daily routine work," explains Miyamoto. "I put the scale and graph paper in the bathroom, and after continuing the pattern for a month, it became like a ritual before getting into the bath. I wasn't able to relax without doing it!" Transforming the habitual measurement into something fun was the next step, one that preceded months of prototyping and "upending the tea table" -- a reference to Miyamoto's tendency to make last-minute decisions and cause a panic right before a deadline.
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]]>IwataMiyamotoSatoru-IwataShigeru-MiyamotoWii-FitWiiFit2008-02-11T22:25:00+00:00Campaigner calls Wii exercise in schools 'another gimmick'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/campaigner-calls-wii-exercise-in-schools-another-gimmick/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/campaigner-calls-wii-exercise-in-schools-another-gimmick/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/campaigner-calls-wii-exercise-in-schools-another-gimmick/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It seems the school is still the eminent source of name calling, as the Wii, which has managed to shrug off all the "little fad" comments thus far, has been subjected to yet another "another gimmick" label. This time, however, it's in relation to the UK Department of Health's endorsement of an in-school "active" games scheme designed by the Droitwich and Worcester City School Sport Partnership. Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, was unconvinced by the program's weight-loss merits, saying, "Pupils would be far better doing serious competitive sports and games than this sort of thing."

Channel 4 reports that this sort of thing has already been implemented in five schools in Worcestershire as "virtual PE," with the hopes that active gaming would lure children to participate in other physical exercise. Seaton, however, believes it "looks like another gimmick," one that's "pandering to the views of the physically idle." The Department of Health argued that the Wii makes for a good "first step" towards other forms of exercise, though failed to mention the benefits of the many, many steps required to excel in the physical strenuous Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party.

Mind you, the embarrassing view of the physical idol in school would likely result in even more nasty name calling.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
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]]>ExerciseWii-FitWii-SportsWiiFitWiiSports2008-01-28T12:00:00+00:00Wii Fit US release scheduled for Q2 2008http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/16/wii-fit-us-release-scheduled-for-q2-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/16/wii-fit-us-release-scheduled-for-q2-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/16/wii-fit-us-release-scheduled-for-q2-2008/#commentsFiled under: ,

wii fit
Perhaps a sign that America is finally getting its obesity scare under control, Nintendo has cautiously scheduled Wii Fit for a Q2 2008 release. Despite last week's rumor, today's announcement is the first official word from Nintendo that its latest balancing act is being prepped for the US. Whether that means the board's 300-pound weight limit is being increased to accommodate US standards or Nintendo is simply gambling that Americans will have shed a few pounds by next quarter (to prepare their summer beach bodies, 'natch) has yet to be confirmed. So how's your body mass index loookin' for the Q2?
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]]>balance-boardbreakingnewswii-fit2008-01-16T17:25:00+00:00Today's most therapeutic video: Wii rehabhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/todays-most-therapeutic-video-wii-rehab/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/todays-most-therapeutic-video-wii-rehab/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/todays-most-therapeutic-video-wii-rehab/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

America's sweetheart, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, reports for CNN about the Wii being used as a physical therapy device. Ohio State University's Medical Center, like some other hospitals, says the system is a fun way to help patients. No word on if those caregivers had to buy one of the GameStop bundles to score the console.

See the segment after the break.

Continue reading Today's most therapeutic video: Wii rehab

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]]>cnnnintendorehabtherapywiiwii-rehabwiihab2008-01-04T01:30:00+00:00GT5 Prologue scores third place in Japanese chartshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/gt5-prologue-scores-third-place-in-japanese-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/gt5-prologue-scores-third-place-in-japanese-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/gt5-prologue-scores-third-place-in-japanese-charts/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


You know times have changed when the top three spots in Japan's software sales chart are no longer occupied by traditional fare, but rather a miasma of Mario mini-games, a balancercise board and a glorified automotive demo. Gamasutra runs down last week's top ten, highlighting Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo 5 Prologue which made its debut in third position with approximately 116,000 units sold. Professor Layton bully, Wii Fit, found itself parking off in second position with 124,000 units after having switched places with Mario Party DS and its 180,000 attendees.

Nintendo proved the overall wii-ner, with six first-party titles accounted for in the chart -- in fact, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue was the only game not to be found on the Wii or DS. The two systems are expected to enjoy continued good fortune in the hardware sales chart due for release tomorrow.

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SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>Gran-TurismoGran-Turismo-5GranTurismo5GT5Japanese-Software-SalesMario-Party-DSMarioPartyPolyphony-DigitalPolyphonyDigitalWii-FitWiiFit2007-12-20T15:55:00+00:00Make like Pelé with Wii Fit soccerhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/16/make-like-pele-with-wii-fit-soccer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/16/make-like-pele-with-wii-fit-soccer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/16/make-like-pele-with-wii-fit-soccer/#commentsFiled under: ,


Soccer is the world's most popular sport, and we can see why -- in what other sport do a line of hydrocephalitic kids take turns throwing balls, shoes, and panda heads at your dome piece? We're just happy that the soccer mini-game included in the Wii Fit bundle is faithful to the sport, panda head dodgery and all.

However, we are somewhat concerned about the terrible score of the player in this video -- is this another example of game previewers being bad at their own games? Or is the balance board not as accurate as some gameplay videos make it look? We'll just have to find out when the chubbiness informer comes stateside early next year.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

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