Wii Fit + Wii Fit Plus

[srgbilco]

I think that it was a bad idea for Nintendo to unveil this at E3. They should've had a separate press event and invited journalists from the "normal" magazines and newspapers, especially since this year E3 has been scaled down and narrowed in focus. The message that I'm getting is that Nintendo are very deliberately splitting their focus into two groups, which is all well and good, but I think these two groups should be kept separate as far as possible so the "hardcore" don't feel abandoned. We'll obviously find out about stuff like WiiFit anyway but showing it at a very games-centric event like E3 was misjudged, particularly at a time when MS and Sony have stopped going on about inclusive shite like, "Your mother can design you a scarf on Windows and you can download it in Madden" and have shown that they're focused on showcasing their games. Plus I expect they'd get a lot more press penetration if they showcased WiiFit in a dedicated event where the promotional videos don't draw scorn for not representing a typical E3 goer's home environment.

[Alex W.]

Has anyone suggested a version of Magic Carpet for this yet? Also I hope for Guru Meditation Error jokes in-game.

[Sigourney Beaver]

This looks great but there'd better be plenty of variety. I tried playing regular Wii Sports for a bit of exercise and the four games get boring after a few goes.

[Stanley]

This looks shit. And for anyone considering buying it, go for a walk, cycle, whatever. Get out the house!

[Landshead]

being instructed to do press ups by your Wii, fuck that.

[Alex W.]

Yes, let's just forget about all options for exercise because some other options exist.

[Capwn]

Yeah yeah! and those who play chess on a computer...PLAY REAL CHESS! those who play scrabble on the computer...WHY!?! Just play REAL scrabble!! Those who play mario JUST GO OUTSIDE AND PUNCH BRICKS!

[Bluetooth]

It depends on what your TV's purpose is. If it's to... well, just watch T, wind down after a day's work etc. then Wii Fit will look incredibly out of place. You do not want something involving hard work in front of your relaxation box.

On the other hand if it's the hub of all things digital - RSS feeds, podcasts, torrents etc. in addition to games and TV, those users will be more accepting of another peripheral to add to their all in one media box.

What is misguided is those who see it as a way of staying/getting fit, and think the console will offer motivation/sustained interest, especially when compared to the loner attitude of popping to the gym. There are many courses out there that provide interaction, challenges etc. whilst pushing you as much as you want yourself to be pushed. In which case Wii Fit will look like a student project botched up during his hols.

[Stanley]

If you really want to get fit then go out for a walk, breathe in the fresh air, have a look around. Staring at a TV screen isn't 'healthy'.

It just seems that after the good press with regards to Wii Sorts getting fat fuck gamers off of their lard arses Nintendo are taking the next logical step... in boredom. It reminds me of some crappy thing for kids you plug straight into the TV which only plays one game. Oh, hang on.

And how many new peripherals do we need hanging around the living room. What happened to the standalone catch all future of gaming Wiimote?

[Davros sock drawer]

I'd like to say I'm astounded by some of the narrow minded attitudes on display in this thread, but sadly it's par for the course. It's a real shame some people are so set in their ways as gamers that anything different is perceived as some sort of threat.

Very depressing.

[Sigourney Beaver]

I'd like to say I'm astounded by some of the narrow minded attitudes on display in this thread, but sadly it's par for the course. It's a real shame some people are so set in their ways as gamers that anything different is perceived as some sort of threat.

Very depressing.

It shows how much people hate change. It'd be interesting to see how many people moaning about Wii Fit also moan about space marine games.

[dan_tm]

To be fair though, FOBT is right. If you want to get fit go out and cycle in the countryside or something, I've recently started doing it again and it's 10 times more fun and it'll get you fit 100 times quicker.

The majority of people that buy this will be the ones that buy all the other crap from TV shopping channels so they can get fit, and then end up using it for about 3 weeks before packing it up and leaving it in the garage for the next 10 years.

[Davros sock drawer]

He's not right. One activity does not preclude the other.

[dan_tm]

You're right, but this is a fairly naff way of getting fit in comparison.

[Davros sock drawer]

Why?

In excercise terms, is Tai Chi naff? Is monitoring your BMI over time naff? This does some pretty natty things that no one form of "natural" excercise can replicate.

Again, why are people feeling threatened here? Or is it just an attempt to feel superior? "Well I go out cycling, which is far superior to this naff indoor excercise".

[dan_tm]

Again, why are people feeling threatened here? Or is it just an attempt to feel superior? "Well I go out cycling, which is far superior to this naff indoor excercise".

Yeah, that's exactly it.

[Davros sock drawer]

Good answer. Not.

Seeing as that's the level of debate we're reduced to.

[Apollo]

If you want to get fit go out and cycle in the countryside or something, I've recently started doing it again and it's 10 times more fun and it'll get you fit 100 times quicker.

What fun factor scale are you using there for your bold facts?

[ras el hanout]

IT'S AS MUCH OF A GAME AS GUITAR HERO IS PERHAPS MAYBE MORESO!

[dan_tm]

What fun factor scale are you using there for your bold facts?

Obviousness

[Rudderless]

I'd like to say I'm astounded by some of the narrow minded attitudes on display in this thread, but sadly it's par for the course. It's a real shame some people are so set in their ways as gamers that anything different is perceived as some sort of threat.

Very depressing.

Yep, I agree with all that. There's been a lot of it. A lot of eye-rolling, of indignation that Nintendo might dare to try to appeal to other people.

"I'm shocked that Nintendo can even CONSIDER showing games which might be aimed at *loud tut, shake of head* NON-GAMERS. Non-gamers, how pathetic. People who don't play games. People who I am superior to. I don't want them partaking in a similar hobby to ME. As a gamer, I am utterly outraged that Nintendo are offering nothing which impresses me."

Then, in the next thread: "OMFG! MARIO TEH BEE!"

[dan_tm]

Yep, I agree with all that. There's been a lot of it. A lot of eye-rolling, of indignation that Nintendo might dare to try to appeal to other people.

"I'm shocked that Nintendo can even CONSIDER showing games which might be aimed at *loud tut, shake of head* NON-GAMERS. Non-gamers, how pathetic. People who don't play games. People who I am superior to. I don't want them partaking in a similar hobby to ME. As a gamer, I am utterly outraged that Nintendo are offering nothing which impresses me."

Then, in the next thread: "OMFG! MARIO TEH BEE!"

I don't think anyone has said anything even remotely like that have they?

[Alex W.]

Well-marketed, this could be the second coming of TV aerobics.

[Sigourney Beaver]

I wonder if Nintendo will approach Lizzie and ask her to reprise that green leotard.

[therearerules]

I'd like to say I'm astounded by some of the narrow minded attitudes on display in this thread, but sadly it's par for the course. It's a real shame some people are so set in their ways as gamers that anything different is perceived as some sort of threat.

Very depressing.

Yep, I agree with all that. There's been a lot of it. A lot of eye-rolling, of indignation that Nintendo might dare to try to appeal to other people.

"I'm shocked that Nintendo can even CONSIDER showing games which might be aimed at *loud tut, shake of head* NON-GAMERS. Non-gamers, how pathetic. People who don't play games. People who I am superior to. I don't want them partaking in a similar hobby to ME. As a gamer, I am utterly outraged that Nintendo are offering nothing which impresses me."

Then, in the next thread: "OMFG! MARIO TEH BEE!"

What are you guys talking about? Only Hitcher in the first page displayed any kind of shock or anger that nintendo were now not doing normal games.

[Rudderless]

I don't think anyone has said anything even remotely like that have they?

Not so much on here, but it's only a slight exaggeration. I do think there's a degree of closed-mindedness about casual games, and it partly stems from a desire to feel like videogaming is someone's own thing. A bit like when your favourite band becomes popular and they stop being your favourite band purely because you liked it better when it felt more personal to you to love them. Having to share them with other people makes them feel somehow a little less special.

I'm not saying it's the same for everyone - in fact, I'm convinced no-one will accept or admit that that's the case with them. But I'm pretty sure it is for some.

[boxoctosis]

"I used to like the Stone Roses before they were popular."

HoC has it bob-on here.

[therearerules]

Not so much on here, but it's only a slight exaggeration. I do think there's a degree of closed-mindedness about casual games, and it partly stems from a desire to feel like videogaming is someone's own thing. A bit like when your favourite band becomes popular and they stop being your favourite band purely because you liked it better when it felt more personal to you to love them. Having to share them with other people makes them feel somehow a little less special.

I'm not saying it's the same for everyone - in fact, I'm convinced no-one will accept or admit that that's the case with them. But I'm pretty sure it is for some.

Definately, but I wouldn't level that accusation so harshly against this place, at least not in general.

[womblingfree]

I do think there's a degree of closed-mindedness about casual games, and it partly stems from a desire to feel like videogaming is someone's own thing. A bit like when your favourite band becomes popular and they stop being your favourite band purely because you liked it better when it felt more personal to you to love them.

Definitely. It was chuckle city when they demo'd it, but really it's a logical step.

At the end of the day todays consoles are hugely adaptable pieces of electronics with multiple functions. If you want to spend endless years running around with laser rifles blowing away aliens then rest assured, you will always be catered for. You have nothing to fear!

WiiFit shows that there are many untapped uses for consoles that when marketed correctly could prove a huge boost to the industry. I can tell you now that there will be sooo many Japanese grannies and housewives buying WiiFit for when they're at home alone.

Health and well-being? In a game? The final taboo has been broken!

Now back I go to FFXII as my spine slowly turns to jelly.

[The Cactuar Cat]

It doesn't seem that anyone has a problem with the game but that there wasn't a new Wii Sports type game announced for the gamers who had been taken in by the Wii Play and Wii Sports games. It was aimed at a totally different market, not the market that was watching E3.