Review - Wii Fit

9.0 out of 10








There has been some talk about how the Nintendo Wii has "revolutionized" the gaming industry by appealing to a whole new demographic and in different ways.

First, the Wii amazed everyone with its unique functionality using the Wii-mote and nuncuk attachments, then they incorporated that technology with Nintendo fans' favorite franchies, and now Nintendo is expanding their innovation even further with "Wii Fit."

This exercise-based game featuring a Wii "balancing board" has been hard to come by in stores with limited supply and high demand that is strangly reminiscent of the Wii console's initial launch.

Nevertheless, Wii Fit is yet another step away from hardcore gamers and one step closer to a more general market, because who doesn't like to workout?

Hardcore gamers, that's who.

You begin the game by intergrating your personalized "Mii" into the game and stepping on the Wii Balancing Board for an initial calculation of the your Body Mass Index (BMI).

Yes, this does calculate your weight and how fat you really are, so you might want to do this in private at first. In fact, you might want to play the game in private.

When the game calculates if you are "normal," "overweight," or "obese," you promptly cry in sorrow for the fact that a video game has officially called you fat.

I never knew I was "obese," thank you Nintendo. Which would somewhat make sense because what incentive is there to play it if you have the perfect weight, but I am pretty sure there are a few more factors in determining your BMI, but who is going to argue with a plastic pad?

After calculating your BMI, the game shows your center-of-balance and generously helps you to readjust it to an appropriate location.

The greatest irony: a game calling a gamer both fat and unbalanced.

With your self-esteem reaching a new low, you are given the option to set a goal for yourself to reduce your BMI a certain amount of points and within a designated time frame.

After you're all set, the game lets you perform different activities focused on various elements of your balance, posture, strength, and flexibility.

These yield options to do some yoga, aerobics, strength training, and balancing games.

The first three options are performed with an on-screen male or female trainer and the balancing games are actual games such as the infamous hoola-hoop game and a dance-dance-esque stepping exercise.

Also, the game rewards you with additional exercises and games for spending time exercising.

Nearly all of the exercises prompt you to maintain your balance which you can follow via an on-screen display and from instruction from your virtual trainer.

The game's virtual trainer is very responsive and clear in their directions and will even critique you and provide direction if your balance is slightly. This is one of the most impressive elements of the game.

The Wii Balancing Board is an impressive piece of technology as well as it seems to accurately measure your stance, balance, and pressure. However, it does take some getting used to and may not seem as effective at first.

Also, when the exercises load and calibrate to you personally, the game likes to make an "oh?" type of noise when you step on it...which is a little creepy and makes you wonder if it is making that noise to flatter you or if your weight is proving too much strain on the poor little battery powered device.

That's an interesting obsession that Nintendo seems to have - batteries.

The Wii Balancing Board takes 4-AA batteries as does the Wii-mote and every other device for the console.

With the Wii Balancing Board being a standalone and not very mobile unit, why coouldn't they supply let you plug the thing in?

Overall, Wii Fit is a surprisingly fun and interactive way to burn some calories.

The game tracks the amount of time you play and provides tips and suggestions to take a breaks around the one hour mark.

Your progress is tracked in the game with a wide variety of statistical data to help you meet your goal.

However, one question still remains, it it effective?

Well I haven't had a chance to play it for multiple days at a time, but you do feel it.

The game does a wonderful job of helping you to tone your muscles and you will noticeably feel the strain on your muscles when you are done playing.

Therefore, I would have to say that Wii Fit will be effective at losing weight if you stick with it.

This is a game that could appeal to anyone who wants to shed a few pounds and provides a fun and personalized way of doing so.

You just might want to exercise alone for a while if you are a little embarrassed at looking a little odd exercising in-front of the TV for a change.