Filed under: Exergaming

Seen @ CES 2009: The Lady Fitness Workout Kit

by Kevin Kelly { 9 months ago }

Ladies, how often have you taken a look at your poor little Wii Fit, and thought "If only there were some sort of peripheral to let the world know that I'm both concerned about my fitness aesthetics, and was emblazoned with pink"? Probably so often that you've lost count. As you know, pink is completely 100% the only color women are allowed to love and/or get accessories in. So the Lady Fitness Workout Kit has your name on it. Sorry, boys.

GameStop offering Cosmo, O Mag subscriptions to fitness game buyers

by Alexander Sliwinski { 10 months ago }

Is the female or effeminate male in your life looking a bit chub after the holidays? Then stop on in at GameStop and get them a fitness game and a free 12-month trial subscription to either Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Redbook, Good Housekeeping or O Magazine. GameStop's "Sharpen the Mind, Shape the Body" promotion emphasizes fitness games and offers magazine trials on select purchases of over $35 until Feb. 22. We've listed a few of the "designated" products that are part of the promotion after the break.

If this casual gaming movement continues to explode, It's only a matter of time before GameStop starts offering scented candles, bath oils and potpourri. Hmm, but that means the stores will smell better. Curses, we're so torn about this trend.

Continued →

EA Sports Active shaping up for Spring '09 Wii-lease

by Ludwig Kietzmann { 11 months ago }

Let's pretend for a moment that, just like us, you absolutely love physical exercise. With that out of the way, we can dive right into discussion of EA's new fitness game, EA Sports Active. Developed in collaboration with Bob Greene (he's Oprah Winfrey's personal trainer, it says here), the Wii-exclusive sweat-em-up will launch in Spring 2009.

Though deemed "perfect for the whole family," EA Sports Active also claims to be "designed specifically for women seeking a simple, fun and cost-effective way to achieve a healthy lifestyle." Said lifestyle is achieved through a variety of cardiovascular workouts on a "Fitness roadmap," coaxed along by on-screen feedback and enabled by two Nunchuk-holding leg straps, as well as a resistance band for upper body training. The Wii's Balance Board peripheral will add further functionality to several exercises.

And don't think this is just EA warming up. According to EA Sports president Peter Moore, Active "is a true fitness revolution and a space in which we intend to be leaders." Let's see if the publisher has the stamina to keep up with the runaway success of Wii Fit.

Gallery: EA Sports Active

Madden tramples Wii Fit in Q3 global sales

by Alexander Sliwinski { 12 months ago }

The Top Global Markets sales data from NPD, Chart-Track and Enterbrain (via GameDaily) reveals that Madden NFL 09 blitzed the global charts to become the best selling game in the third quarter of '08 (that's July to September). Trailing Madden were Wii Fit and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Also, showing that the franchise still has some Pikachu-charged power behind it, Pokémon Platinum battled in fourth place with 1.4 million units sold, despite being only available in Japan. Mario Kart Wii rounded out the top five.

Certainly the most interesting question about the sales figures is: Where would Wii Fit be if it was actually meeting demand? Madden's sales were (obviously) US heavy, while Wii Fit had a regional sales spread based on Wii's install base. Find the full sales figures after the break.

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Rumor: EA still working on fitness title for Wii, includes new peripheral

by Griffin McElroy { 1 year ago }

We picked up Nintendo's wildly popular digital personal trainer, Wii Fit, shortly after launch with hopes to transform ourselves into Hasslehoffian dreamboats -- sadly, we found the Balance Board's unflinching critique of our porcine physiques far too traumatizing. Fortunately, according to an article in the latest issue of Men's Fitness, Electronic Arts is hard at work on their own fitness title for the Wii -- one that will use a brand new (and hopefully less judgmental) peripheral.

This isn't the first we've heard of EA's answer to Wii Fit -- though details on the new peripheral (and the apparent eschewing of the game's use of the Balance Board) is news to us. According to the magazine's interview with EA executive producer Dave McCarthy, the aforementioned peripheral will allow players to attach the Wiimote to their body, where it will measure their movements during a series of in-game exercises. No details on a release schedule for the game, or its capacity to make us openly weep, were mentioned.

Nintendo's pedometer tied to DS fitness game

by Ludwig Kietzmann { 1 year ago }

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]

Ubisoft's Shaun White Snowboarding to use Wii Balance Board

by Kyle Orland { 1 year ago }

At Nintendo's E3 press conference this morning, pro snowboarder Shaun White announced the existence of Shaun White Snowboarding, an Ubisoft game "designed from the ground up" to use the Wii Balance Board. The game will be released by the end of the year for the Wii, with a non-Balance-Board equipped versions coming to other systems.

Wii Move to do "something" with the Wii Balance Board

by Kevin Kelly { 1 year ago }

Last week a mysterious video appeared online featuring probably the most boring ever sequence of a low-rez woman. jogging monotonously while a clock ticked down to ... nothing. It wasn't quite clear if this was a terrorist training video, the rough cut of an intro to a new Lifetime series, or some teaser for a new game. If you picked the game option, you guessed right.

PheroseSoft is a new company formed by ex-staffers from Electronic Arts and Rockstar North, and we hope that doesn't rule out some hooligan-style body checks and tackles in what looks to be another workout video, aimed at getting you up off the couch and onto a piece of plastic. Wii Move will be available through WiiWare in "Quarter Four" 2008. Plenty of time for you to buy your running outfits and wristbands.

Majesco and Jillian Michaels to issue 'Fitness Ultimatum' for Wii

by Kyle Orland { 1 year ago }

All right, this is the last straw. We in the greater video game industry have watched silently while you claimed you just "didn't have the rhythm" for Dance Dance Revolution. We bit our tongues when you said that Wii Fit was "just a fad." Well, say goodbye to Mr. Nice Industry. We're tired of tip-toeing around your feelings. You have to get fit, and we're issuing a fitness ultimatum to make sure that you do! Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009, to be exact.

We're sorry it's come to this ... we really are ... but if a Majesco-published game featuring fitness celebrity Jillian Michaels and Wii Balance Board support is what it takes to break you out of your cycle of unfit living, then damn it, we're willing to release that game in time for the upcoming holiday season. Let's be perfectly clear though ... this 'ultimatum' truly is our last warning that you need to get fit using a video game. If you let this opportunity pass you by, that's it, we're done, you're on your own. Good luck getting fit without the video game industry's help if you drop the ball this time!

Aw, who are we kidding? When you get tired of this game we'll try again with another gimmicky fitness simulator. Who could say no to that precious disposable income? Here, have another Halo 3 Mountain Dew.

Pachter: American Wii Fit shortages due to weak dollar

by Griffin McElroy { 1 year ago }

Americans have been buffeted with news of our nation's pending recession and the devaluation of our dollar for months now, but in a market with such standardized prices, the American video game industry and game consumers haven't really felt the effect of our economic instability. However, according to industry analyst and prognosticator extraordinaire Michael Pachter, our pecuniary puniness is the cause for the current American Wii Fit shortage -- nearly four times as many copies of the title made their way to Europe, where the Euro, unlike the dollar, is gaining strength.

In Pachter's own words, "We're seeing companies ignore their largest market simply because they can make a greater profit elsewhere." You don't need to be a revered industry analyst to notice that -- the title, which sells for $90 in the U.S., is speedily selling for the equivalent of $140 in Europe. Pachter also remarks that Americans can afford to wait for future shipments of the title, as Nintendo knows "that Americans will be just as fat a few months from now." Words hurt, Pachter. Words hurt.

Wii Fit: the Balance Smorgasboard

by Alisha Karabinus { 1 year ago }

Since Wii Fit finally hit the US market, Wii Fanboy has been teetering all over the Balance Board in an effort to work out the best (and worst) aspects of Nintendo's latest. Check out some of that featured coverage, and jog on over to put your name in the hat to win a copy of the game, as well.

	The basics
	Five quick Wii Fit factoids Early impressions, neatly packaged in a single bullet-point list.
	Wii Fanboy Review: Wii Fit Wherein we break it down -- the good and the bad.
	Wii Fit vs. Let's Yoga How does Wii Fit stack up against another recent exergaming title available for a Nintendo system?

	The extras
	Point/Counterpoint: Wii Fit Awesome title or gaming's death knell?
	Wii Fit measures JC's apartment Balance board vs. stuff. Ready ... fight! Er, test.
	Finding space for Wii Fit Sure, the Balance Board is small by itself, but you need space to work out. Let us help you figure out how much.

	Old school
	Peripherals that paved the way for the Balance Board A trip through Nintendo's peripheral-littered past.
	Revolutionary: Balance Boarder Long before the real thing hit, we were making our own thing.

UK runs out of Wii Fit, Nintendo will replenish ASAP

by Alexander Sliwinski { 1 year ago }

Nintendo tells GI.biz that it will replenish the UK's stock of Wii Fit "as soon as possible." A Wii Fit shortage in the UK became quite obvious this past week as the fat-reduction simulator practically disappeared from the UK sales charts. Meaning, either citizens of the UK made a collective Borg decision to stop purchasing the ~~game~~ life-altering product or stock sold out.

A Nintendo representative put semi-adequate spin on the situation stating that there are "pockets of stock shortages" around the UK. When a game goes from the #2 spot on the sales chart to dropping off the Top 40, that appears to be more than just "pockets" of shortages. Nintendo claims that fat little girls around the UK will be able to pick up a Wii Fit soon enough as the company continues to replenish stock on a weekly basis.

'One Man's Journey' tries and fails at Wii Fit

by Alexander Sliwinski { 1 year ago }

One Man's Journey recovers from the Rock Band disaster of '07 and releases another tale of self-realization. This time, the overly-optimistic Matt Downham is looking to lose some weight and (feeding into the hype) believes Wii Fit is going to get him to do that -- just like he wanted Rock Band to turn him into a rock star. Matt's faithful companion, Friend, joins him again on this adventure of self-discovery, standing by his side and offering his own special brand of support.

Of course, similar to what happened with Rock Band, Matt's hopes and dreams of Wii Fit curing his weight condition lead to what the movie advertisements refer to as a "roaring rampage of revenge" (after catching his breath from walking up the stairs). He roars. He rampages. We just hope Friend survives for the next big game launch sporting a plastic peripheral.

Nintendo shifts Wii Fit 'launch' to tomorrow

by Alexander Sliwinski { 1 year ago }

Nintendo informed GameTap late yesterday that Wii Fit's official launch has been moved to tomorrow, May 21. Although there may be some exceptions, Nintendo told the site that Wii Fit was only available at the Nintendo World Store in New York for its much hyped May 19 launch.

Some members on staff who pre-ordered Wii Fit from their local brick and mortar store were told their units may arrive today. We're also checking with Amazon.com to find out if its copies have been sent out. Another piece of Nintendo hardware with an apparent supply chain issue? We're shocked.

Metareview -- Wii Fit

by Ludwig Kietzmann { 1 year ago }

Wii Fit used to be that thing you threw when the guy behind the counter told you the store was sold out of Nintendo's insanely popular console. Again. Nowadays, it's a video game and balance board peripheral claiming to make exercise "fun." Yeah, right!

No, seriously, right. The critics have done the whole Yoga thing and declared that exercise needn't be the terrifying and punishing physical activity you've dreaded all these years. It might not be the sort of game you want to play all day long, but if you're set on shedding some pounds, it sure beats going to the boring ol' gym. You can do eat!

1UP (83/100): "I guess I'd hoped an exercise videogame would make fitness a lot more fun -- and easier to do. And, though it doesn't quite exceed those expectations, Wii Fit will get you moving -- especially if you're looking for a gentle, fun introduction to an exercise program."
Eurogamer (80/100): "You can compare your results with others, but really it's about setting your own targets and seeing how your performance improves. So far I've found this provides enough motivation to play Wii Fit every day - sometimes for ten minutes, sometimes for an hour. I don't know how long I'll keep this up for, but I do know switching on the Wii is a lot easier than going to the gym. Wii Fit is not as beneficial, undoubtedly, but a lot more fun."
IGN (80/100): "But for a title that is so geared toward the everyman, it clings onto one hardcore fundamental -- unlocking challenges. So if you're the type who wants to jump right into everything that Wii Fit has to offer from the beginning, you're out of luck. You'll need to spend days upon days partaking in all of the modes to earn Wii Fit minutes, which eventually add up and open up other portions of the experience."
GameDaily (80/100): "Like Miyamoto said a few months ago, Wii Fit won't necessarily make you fit. If you're looking to get ripped, you're better off buying some protein powder and heading to the gym. For everyone else, this is a clever way to sneak in a little extra exercise every day."