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Wii Fit
- April 16, 2008 13:36 PM PST
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If conventional exercise isn't your thing, then this might be the solution you've been waiting for. We step up on the balance board ourselves and spend some quality time with Wii Fit.
Hands-on:
We've seen a lot of Wii Fit in recent weeks, but not as much as our overseas friends. The game came out in Japan at the end of last year, and is primed for a European release within two weeks, with us Americans at the end of the line. I got to play a completely localized version at Nintendo's Media Summit, examining some new-to-us minigames while basking in the non-metric measurements thrown at me.
As small of an addition as it was, getting to play the game with feet, inches, and pounds really helped me understand Wii Fit's viability as a fitness device. After entering my weight and height accurately--I had to guesstimate the centimeters and kilograms during previous demos-- I was given a fitness overview I could trust. The game said I was slightly below the ideal body mass.
Achieving total fitness not only involves weight, but balance as well... holding this pose for too long can put you on the floor!
Imagine my surprise when the Nintendo rep tailored my fitness regimen to gain muscle weight! As a cardio-heavy guy, I'm intrigued by a game that promises other forms of working out. I got to check out the representative's fitness progress, as his weight sunk and rose, with comments for the more drastic shifts, like "I snacked too much" or "I missed a workout." There was also a detailed log for his workout regimen, including time playing Wii Fit, the mini-games he took part in, as well as non-Wii Fit activity he logged during the day.
One small leap for Dave's balance, and a giant leap for the Wii's versatility!
I started the demo with a simple balance test which required me to shift my body weight in order to match specific percentages on each side. I had trouble. Once again, the game gave a correct prognosis, surmising that my klutzy ass falls down more often than most. With that in mind, I performed a myriad of balance-strengthening activities, starting with yoga poses that allowed me to work out muscles I'd often ignored.
From there, I tried one of my favorite Wii Fit games, wherein you have to sink Mii-emblazoned balls into holes by tilting the course by shifting your weight. It feels like a barebones version of Monkey Ball or Marble Madness, but the game really reaches its stride when multiple balls are put on one course, and you have to tilt the board slightly to move balls to a goal without having the others careen off the board.
Putting balance to good use: Getting these balls in the center may look simple, but actually requires lots of concetration.
My progress in the previous events unlocked another minigame. The final game of the demo was one that proved I still had a long way to go before considering myself a well-balanced individual. In this one, my Mii walked a tightrope, which required me to walk on the board while keeping my balance. As my Mii swayed with every other step, I was humbled by my lack of proficiency while frustrated with the unnecessary addition of a jumping element that requires you to physically mimic a jump without your feet leaving the board. If anything, it proved that a game filled with dozens of unique physical activities can't have all winners.
Don't look down Dave... you've got a lot of Wii fit ahead of you to perfect your balance.
With the May release date for Wii Fit fast approaching, my workout is far from over. We'll have some interesting impressions coming your way in the next few weeks, so try to keep up with us!
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- Apr 17 2008 at 03:14:19:AM PST
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