Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Pokewalker accessory included in North American Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/pokewalker-accessory-included-in-north-american-pokemon-heartgol/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/pokewalker-accessory-included-in-north-american-pokemon-heartgol/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/pokewalker-accessory-included-in-north-american-pokemon-heartgol/#commentsToday, Nintendo announced that the PokéWalker accessory, a Pokéball-shaped pedometer that interfaces with Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, will be packaged with copies of the games when they arrive in stores on March 14. Nintendo had previously dated Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver along with the rest of its Q1 lineup, but it omitted mention of the accessory -- though the game's Amazon listing didn't.

The Pokéwalker allows players to earn "Watts" with their steps, which can be used both to catch Pokémon inside the device and unlock routes in the main game. In addition, the device enables wireless item trading between two Pokéwalker carriers. Gotta walk the mall to catch 'em all!

Gallery: Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver (DS)

JoystiqPokewalker accessory included in North American Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSNintendopedometerpokemonpokemon-heart-goldpokemon-heartgoldpokewalkerMon, 11 Jan 2010 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Pokemon Gold/Silver remakes let you train Pokemon by walking]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/pokemon-gold-silver-remakes-let-you-train-pokemon-by-walking/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/pokemon-gold-silver-remakes-let-you-train-pokemon-by-walking/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/pokemon-gold-silver-remakes-let-you-train-pokemon-by-walking/#commentsTurns out that the same technology used in Personal Trainer: Walking to train you will also help you train Pokemans in Pokémon Heart Gold and Soul Silver. According to Andriasang, the Pokémon Sunday TV show revealed a new pedometer device used in the game, called the "Poké Walker," that resembles a cross between a Pokeball and the Pokémon Mini handheld. For some reason, Nintendo decided to make another wireless pedometer peripheral for the DS rather than allowing people to use the existing one.

The device allows you to build one Pokémon's experience and personal affinity simply by walking. In addition, the Poké Walker generates "watts," which can be used to catch wild creatures and find tools inside the Poké Walker world to send back to the full game.

Check out the first screens of the remakes in our gallery, as you come to the terrifying realization that Nintendo didn't mention this game at all at E3.

Gallery: Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver (DS)

JoystiqPokemon Gold/Silver remakes let you train Pokemon by walking originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSNintendopedometerpoke-walkerpokemonpokemon-heart-goldpokemon-soul-silverMon, 08 Jun 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Personal Trainer: Walking ambles into stores next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/psa-personal-trainer-walking-ambles-into-stores-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/psa-personal-trainer-walking-ambles-into-stores-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/psa-personal-trainer-walking-ambles-into-stores-next-week/#commentsWe didn't realize that the release date for Nintendo's DS exercise program Personal Trainer: Walking was approaching so quickly, probably because Nintendo has said little about the game since announcing it in October. Nintendo announced today that the game will be in stores on May 26, which is next Tuesday. We figure that if had sneaked up on us, it may have eluded your attention as well.

Three reasons you may be interested in Personal Trainer: Walking.
  1. It's the first DS game that allows you to use Miis, either created in-game or imported from the Wii.
  2. Gadgets! Walking includes two pedometers that wirelessly transmit your step numbers into the game. Also, according to the press release, you can attach one to a dog's collar and tabulate the dog's exercise habits.
  3. Maybe you like walking. We don't know.

JoystiqPSA: Personal Trainer: Walking ambles into stores next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 May 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exercisepedometerpersonal-trainer-walkingwalkingWed, 20 May 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pedometer-equipped walking game steps into Europe with a terrible new name]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/12/pedometer-equipped-walking-game-steps-into-europe-with-a-terribl/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/12/pedometer-equipped-walking-game-steps-into-europe-with-a-terribl/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/12/pedometer-equipped-walking-game-steps-into-europe-with-a-terribl/#commentsFiled under: ,


While Nintendo of America has settled on Personal Trainer: (Activity) for DS training games, and Japan takes a more freeform approach (the only constant is really, really long names), Nintendo of Europe's approach for training game titles (with the odd exception of Maths Training) is now (Title): (Question about title activity?) -- as in Cooking Guide: Can't decide what to eat? and Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: How old is your brain?

The latest training game to use this naming convention is Walk with me! Do you know your walking routine?, which we know as Personal Trainer: Walking, the walking trainer that brings Miis to the DS for the first time, and also includes two wireless pedometer accessories. That accessory is known as the Activity Meter for the PAL release. Data collected by the device can be sent to Nintendo via Wi-Fi for use on leaderboards and a total worldwide step count of all users. The press release says that the data is transferred to your DS via infrared signal, but we're a bit skeptical since the DS doesn't have an IR port.

Nintendo of Europe will launch Walk with me! on February 20. You can see English screens in an obtrusive Flash interface at Nintendo's Walk with me page.

Gallery: Aruite Wakaru Seikatsu Rhythm DS


[Thanks, RICANJO!]

JoystiqPedometer-equipped walking game steps into Europe with a terrible new name originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>miipedometerpersonal-trainer-walkingtrainingwalk-with-meFri, 12 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stroll through some Personal Trainer: Walking screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/stroll-through-some-personal-trainer-walking-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/stroll-through-some-personal-trainer-walking-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/stroll-through-some-personal-trainer-walking-screens/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nintendo has opened a website and released screens of Aruite Wakaru Seikatsu Rhythm DS, or Personal Trainer: Walking, the walking trainer that includes a wireless pedometer and uses Miis. As it turns out, this game, which will probably be somewhat of a flagship product for Nintendo, is being developed by Creatures, Inc., codevelopers of the Pokémon games, as well as the first two Mother games, and current home of Metroid and Kid Icarus composer Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka (he's the president!)

Personal Trainer can record walking data and generate all kinds of stats for four participants, which it does at the end of the day. However, it only includes two pedometers. Extras will be available for 1,800 yen ($17.71).

Gallery: Aruite Wakaru Seikatsu Rhythm DS

JoystiqStroll through some Personal Trainer: Walking screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aruite-wakaru-seikatsu-rhythm-dsexercisepedometerpersonal-trainer-walkingwalkingTue, 21 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cooking Guide, Maths Training, Walking Rhythm DS rebranded for US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/cooking-guide-maths-training-walking-rhythm-ds-coming-to-us-as/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/cooking-guide-maths-training-walking-rhythm-ds-coming-to-us-as/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/cooking-guide-maths-training-walking-rhythm-ds-coming-to-us-as/#commentsFiled under:

One of the less-reported announcements from Nintendo's conference is the "Personal Trainer" series of games. We were a bit confused to see the announcement of Personal Trainer: Cooking when we're still waiting for Cooking Guide. And then about two seconds later we figured it out. Personal Trainer: Cooking is Cooking Guide. We're guessing, but it seems like a fairly uncontroversial guess.

Nintendo's press release about the conference details Personal Trainer: Cooking and two other Personal Trainer titles that make it much more obvious that these are existing/known training games. Personal Trainer: Math is "a collection of basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division drills based on the Kageyama method." Which means it's Maths Training, released in Europe back in February. And Personal Trainer: Walking "will introduce a wireless pedometer, letting consumers not only track every step they take, but also turn walking into interactive entertainment." It must be Aruite Wakaru Seikatsu Rhythm DS (Learn by Walking Rhythm DS), then!

Cooking will be released on November 24, and the other two will appear sometime next year.

Gallery: Aruite Wakaru Seikatsu Rhythm DS


JoystiqCooking Guide, Maths Training, Walking Rhythm DS rebranded for US originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cooking-guidemaths-trainingpedometerpersonal-trainerpersonal-trainer-cookingpersonal-trainer-mathpersonal-trainer-walkingFri, 03 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's pedometer tied to DS fitness game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendos-pedometer-likely-tied-to-ds-fitness-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendos-pedometer-likely-tied-to-ds-fitness-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendos-pedometer-likely-tied-to-ds-fitness-game/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Though we still feel the less traditional application of a pedometer is the more prudent one -- you never know how many pedophiles could be in the area -- Nintendo has decided to stick with one that merely counts steps. Judging by one of the videos shown during its recent presentation in Japan, the trademarked device will be tied (at least initially) to a Nintendo DS fitness title.

The promotional material seems to indicate that it will be out in November. The presence of the pedometer indicates that it will require physical activity on our behalf. Therefore, we think it unlikely that the number of steps taken to procure it will exceed zero.

Maybe if the FedEx guy sticks it in the refrigerator.

[Via DS Fanboy]

JoystiqNintendo's pedometer tied to DS fitness game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSExerciseJapanPedometerThu, 02 Oct 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo unveils pedometer for upcoming DS fitness title]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-unveils-pedometer-for-upcoming-ds-fitness-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-unveils-pedometer-for-upcoming-ds-fitness-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-unveils-pedometer-for-upcoming-ds-fitness-title/#commentsFiled under:

Remember that weird pedometer trademark that came up recently? Well, instead of being something tied to a Wii game, as many thought, it's tied to a DS title instead. During the video presentation showing off upcoming DS titles, the image to the right was shown.

We're having a hard time translating the name, so we're just going to call it Lifestyle Rhythm DS for the moment. As you might have guessed, based on the image to the right, this is scheduled for a November release in Japan.

Hit up Nintendo's Japanese site for a closer look at the upcoming game.

[Thanks, Sonic_13!]

JoystiqNintendo unveils pedometer for upcoming DS fitness title originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 02:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exercisefitnesslifestyle-rhythm-dspedometerwalkingThu, 02 Oct 2008 02:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo trademarks mysterious pedometer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/nintendo-trademarks-mysterious-pedometer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/nintendo-trademarks-mysterious-pedometer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/nintendo-trademarks-mysterious-pedometer/#commentsFiled under: ,

Could this simple, lozenge-shaped device be what we're all talking about come Thursday morning? Currently, all the evidence points to a souped-up DS being unveiled during Nintendo's Media Summit, but NeoGAFfer Shiggy spotted this on the site of European trademark body OAMI.

It was registered by Nintendo in late-August, and is apparently a pedometer. This being related to Wii Fit in some way seems like an obvious first guess, but any speculation we indulge in is just that for now. Like most companies, Nintendo is always registering stuff, some of which it never uses, or some of which doesn't get officially announced until months or years later. This post could just be a really, really early preview for ... some gadget Nintendo releases three years from now!

[Via NeoGAF]

JoystiqNintendo trademarks mysterious pedometer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>oamipedometertrademarkwii-fitTue, 30 Sep 2008 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Possible new Nintendo hardware spotted]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/possible-new-nintendo-hardware-spotted/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/possible-new-nintendo-hardware-spotted/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/possible-new-nintendo-hardware-spotted/#commentsFiled under:


We have absolutely no idea why GAF user Shiggy was searching for Nintendo-made pedometer trademarks. But his discovery of just such a trademark is a reminder of why this mixed-up, big, blue ball takes all kinds of people to keep it going round.

We're a little sketchy on exactly what a pedometer is (we know Ubisoft made one), but we're betting this is either a Wii Fit-related way to count steps taken ... or Nintendo's latest child-security feature: A meter that detects the number of pedophiles in the area. We're pretty sure it's the former, but hoping it's the latter, if only to help us find nearby Gary Glitter concerts.

[Via NeoGAF]

JoystiqPossible new Nintendo hardware spotted originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendopedometerWiiwii-fitTue, 30 Sep 2008 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Box swap: My Weight Loss Coach]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/26/box-swap-my-weight-loss-coach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/26/box-swap-my-weight-loss-coach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/26/box-swap-my-weight-loss-coach/#commentsFiled under:



Only a week and a half after we questioned Ubisoft's My Weight Loss Coach boxart -- as we've made a habit of doing with the publisher's boxes -- the placeholder art posted on Amazon has been replaced with a much more predictable and bland cover. While weren't sure if we fancied the previous packshot or not, we're very sure about not liking this one.

Ubisoft has done away with the old box's minimalist presentation and Don Hertzfeldt-esque stick figures. Instead, the packaging is crowded with the publisher's enlarged logo, the software's bundled pedometer, a stock photo of a running couple, and a looming, slimmed waist. Also, you can now see the same banner and chunky, slab-serif typeface used on Ubisoft's other "My Coach" covers.

Bring your disdain past the post break for larger comparison shots of the boxes.

Continue reading Box swap: My Weight Loss Coach

JoystiqBox swap: My Weight Loss Coach originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boxartmontrealmy-coachmy-weight-loss-coachpedometerstock-photographytrainingubisoftSat, 26 Apr 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[My Weight Loss Coach boxart: Lazy or fitting?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/my-weight-loss-coach-boxart-lazy-or-fitting/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/my-weight-loss-coach-boxart-lazy-or-fitting/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/my-weight-loss-coach-boxart-lazy-or-fitting/#comments

We loaded up My Weight Loss Coach's product page on Amazon earlier today and received two surprises:
  1. $39.99. We're used to seeing that sort of markup only on Square-Enix titles and almost never on casual titles, but we suppose that bundled pedometer comes at a price. That price being ten additional dollars.
  2. Its stark, untraditional packaging art.
At first, the cover seemed like an apathetic production, reminiscent of the Konami's Best box design, but perhaps this simple, almost Apple-esque approach will draw in weight-concerned adult casuals, Ubisoft's target audience. If they really want to bring in the big bucks, they'll shoot a commercial of someone pulling the case out of a manila envelope while Yael Naim sings the lyrics to "New Soul."

If you're one of those strange people who like to judge a title by its actual content and not its cover, jump into our gallery below to see new screenshots of the get-in-shape software.


[Via NeoGAF]

JoystiqMy Weight Loss Coach boxart: Lazy or fitting? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applehealthmontrealmy-weight-loss-coachnms08pedometertrainingubisoftTue, 15 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft reveals DS pedometer, our fight against the flab begins here]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/ubisoft-reveals-ds-pedometer-our-fight-against-the-flab-begins/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/ubisoft-reveals-ds-pedometer-our-fight-against-the-flab-begins/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/ubisoft-reveals-ds-pedometer-our-fight-against-the-flab-begins/#commentsFiled under:



Do your evenings typically consist of you perching your overweight frame on the couch, slurping down microwaveable pizzas between guttural sobs of despair? If so, the compact device above could be the way to a healthier, leaner you. Why? Because that's the pedometer that will ship with Ubisoft's My Weight Loss Coach, silly!

We've already stated how much we like this game's simple-yet-elegant visual style, and My Weight Loss Coach's pedometer only elevates it further above more standard training fare on the DS. The idea is straightforward enough: keep the pedometer on your person all day, letting it count every step you take, then plug it into the GBA slot of your DS and let the software analyze how much blubber you've burned off. Pretty soon, you'll look a bit like this guy, right down to the toned arms and rictus grin. Excellent!

This should be arriving in Europe this summer, so until then you'll have to breathe in sharply if you want to squeeze into the gallery below.


[Via press release]

JoystiqUbisoft reveals DS pedometer, our fight against the flab begins here originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>healthmontrealmy-weight-loss-coachpedometertrainingubisoftMon, 10 Mar 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Fit: Ubisoft announces My Weight Loss Coach]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ds-fit-ubisoft-announces-my-weight-loss-coach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ds-fit-ubisoft-announces-my-weight-loss-coach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ds-fit-ubisoft-announces-my-weight-loss-coach/#commentsFiled under: ,

For those of you looking for a weight-loss alternative to methamphetamines, you can finally put down that needle -- Ubisoft has just the game for you! My Weight Loss Coach acts as both a fitness coach and nutritionist to help you trim those extra pounds. Pretty soon, you'll be able to slip into that old pair of daisy dukes that kept your telephone ringing all throughout your high school years.

The casual software will come bundled with a pedometer, an accessory which detects nearby sexual predators counts every step you take, similar to the Nike+iPod Sports Kit. The device plugs into your DS, presumably through the handheld's GBA slot, and keeps track of your progress, updating your personal profile. Based on the data it gathers, My Weight Loss Coach helps you balance your food intake and meet "landmark checkpoints." And it doesn't even give you meth mouth!

The stick-figure art direction is simple but charming, like a Don Hertzfeldt animation, perfect for a genre that doesn't really benefit from graphics that push the system's limits. Check our gallery below for 15 screenshots of the healthy title. My Weight Loss Coach isn't scheduled for release until this summer, but don't wait until then to get off the ice.

JoystiqDS Fit: Ubisoft announces My Weight Loss Coach originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>don-hertzfeldtmontrealmy-weight-loss-coachpedometerubisoftMon, 11 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Third-party Wii Pedometer available for the fitness-oriented gamer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/28/third-party-wii-pedometer-available-for-the-fitness-oriented-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/28/third-party-wii-pedometer-available-for-the-fitness-oriented-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/28/third-party-wii-pedometer-available-for-the-fitness-oriented-gam/#commentsFiled under:

We're sure all our readers out there are gearing up for the forthcoming Wii Fit and the plethora of exercise accessories that are sure to follow. In the spirit of that, you can now purchase a quirky "Wii"-branded pedometer to track your fitness goals in a more traditional way.

Although it appears a little light on features, the Sports "Gage" Pedometer for Wii Gamers is as inexpensive as it looks at only $6.98, though why it comes shaped like a dog bone is beyond us. The vendor and producer also seem unable to agree on the proper spelling of the word Gage... or is it Guage? (For the record, it's Gauge) But don't let little details like that discourage you!

A word of caution, however: the ever-so-slight alteration of the trademarked Wii logo (and complete absence of the word "Nintendo" from its packaging) likely indicates this to be an unlicensed product without any approval from the big N, so don't be fooled that this is any kind of official companion to Wii Fit's balance board. But for such a low price, it might still be of interest to Wii-oriented gyms out there.

JoystiqThird-party Wii Pedometer available for the fitness-oriented gamer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Jul 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fitnesshealthpedometerwiiwiifitwiisportsSat, 28 Jul 2007 11:30:00 EST