I got to try the Wii this weekend, briefly. I was supposed to go to Pocky’s Wii-kend, but I was a total flake and didn’t make it to that (it ended up being a family weekend). But I got to try the Wii for a few minutes somewhere else, and I’ve got to say - I really enjoyed it. There’s something very visceral about playing it that sets it apart from other consoles. I got to try Wii Bowling and Boxing, both of which had me jumping around the room throwing punches. I mentioned to Hawk that I was surprised at how much of a workout the games gave me, and lo and behold: Nintendo says you need to be in shape to play the Wii. The Gizmodo article definitely takes a negative angle to it, but I kind of dig it - the idea that even though you are playing games, you can be keeping yourself in shape. I never really played DDR, but I had the same feeling about that.
This entry was posted on Monday, November 27th, 2006 at 4:46 pm and is filed under Rant. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Wii Aerobics. Nintendo could promote fitness with a game… Brain Training for your brain… Wii Aerobics for your body.
Picked up my wii 2day, absolutely love it and I’m not a game fan usually: the aerobics idea came to me straight away it would be fantastic. Hope the do it!
It’s pretty sad that people are getting sore from the Wii; it’s only a workout if you go overboard with the controls. It’s not really necessary to flail your arms around (though it is fun). And you’re right. It makes me think of DDR as well.
You need to try Wii Baseball. I played one of the practice games where you just hit homeruns, and the details were awesome. I didn’t know how much the game picks up, but just waiting for the pitch, your bat rolls around as you do it, just like when you’re at the plate.
I watched a few people play Wii Baseball … it looked like a helluva lot of fun. Wii Tennis looked neat too.
A few friends and myself were discussing Wii while in class today. All of us realized that slowly but surely video game companies will be able to cure obesity in the United States. First there was DDR, which managed to shed a few pounds off of everyone, and now there is the Wii where you cannot help but move around. Years ago they said video games rot the mind and make you fat…now they are making us lose weight and gain more hand/feet/body/eye coordination.
I agree! The important part is to make it interesting and engaging enough that people forget they’re exercising at all, and Nintendo would probably be all over that.
Did you play as Der Furher? :D I had so much fun with a few friends gathered playing baseball with Hitler. One friend who could not get the hang of the controller and threw the bowling ball backwards. It seems Wii Sports could get pretty boring after a while, but the other games out so far…Zelda…can keep one occupied for a while. I’m impressed with it.
zelda and red steel will keep me happy for a while
oh and call of duty 3
….and need for speed carbon
….if i only had money…. sigh
That Gizmodo article (and some of the comments) just makes me roll my eyes. The fat, geeky gamer stereotype (which I certainly fit) is an embarrassment for anyone with a sense of pride or ethics, and these people get upset with Nintendo for promoting something positive like excercise? Somehow, I doubt that Keith Olbermann will be naming Nintendo his Worst Person in the World anytime soon.
Have you seen this Wii golf-playing clip yet? It’s hysterical…
Haha! “God…dammit…” and the dad is cracking up. She did pretty good, too. It’s good for kids, because they can’t aim as well in real life, but all Wii needs is the motion, so they get a lot of practice. That ole’ hand-eye coordination thing.
Now THIS is cool =D.
Really Wii is a great thing!
*takes break from Twilight Princess*
YOU MUST PLAY ZELDA!! I haven’t felt so revved to play a game since Ocarina of Time. I can’t even tell you how addictive it is. I had to MAKE myself stop after eight hours yesterday… >___>
Yes, I have a life. I swear. Ask Hawk
well, i had my first wii experience yesterday at a friends house, and i gotta say, it was better than expected. wii sports is fun and it seems as though anyone can play. and zelda…. i dont know where to begin. just that it is freakin amazing, and possibly better than ocarina of time, although i didnt play very much and dont know how the story goes…. but yah, if you want a great game, go get a wii and zelda. its worth the 300 bucks just for those two
I find it ironic that people used to ridicule games by saying they made people “couch potatos” and now they are ridiculing them for promoting exercise.
Eh…Nintendo is trying to break that myth of gamers being all fat and living a hell-of-a-not-healthy life, i guess. And it seems kinda cool. I won’t be getting a Wii so soon(europe+cash problems probably) but i sure of a hell would love it. =[
This is via PA, but you guys might consider it crucial info: http://www.wiihaveaproblem.com/
Man, I don’t know about the rest of you, but back in the day when I was a kid I used to get so excited while I played a game that I’d jump up and down over and over again. I miss the excersize I got from that.
I’m one of those very active drivers in games. I’m standing and twisting around with the controller and yelling and jumping out of the way of things thrown (mario kart). My friend and I were just contemplating what it will be like when there’s a Mario Kart for Wii. If you use that add on controller to steer and then you could use the wii to throw objects you get at other drivers. Mwahahaha.
I was planning on camping out for a Wii last weekend, but i chickened out because i’m stupid and lazy. Your story makes me angry at myself for being a panzy :)
I’m glad you had fun with it. Maybe you should buy one for the office. :p
I was wondering why you guys never showed. :P Hell, JAMIE actually showed, and he never shows. XD