Nintendo Wii Fit Dares You Not To Exercise

Since its introduction late last year, the Nintendo Wii has been the surprise hit in the gaming industry. Thanks in large part to its innovative game controller and easily accessible games, the Wii has rocketed into second place in the next-gen console race.

According to David Riley, Senior Manager for NPD Group, the Wii's total sales in the United States alone were 2.8 million units by the end of May. That's more than twice the number of Sony PS3s sold in the United States (1.36 million units) and already half of the 5.6 million Xbox 360 units sold to date. The latter comparison is particularly impressive given the fact that the Xbox 360 had a full year's head start over the Wii.

Building on Wii Sports

At the E3 show in Santa Monica, California, Nintendo announced plans to build on the exercise potential of its Wii system. Among the new titles planned for the console is Wii Fit, a full-body exercise and workout program. Wii Fit comes with a pressure-sensitive Wii Balance Board that communicates with the game console and can be used to perform aerobic activities, yoga, and stretches -- and of course to play games. The company also announced that it is planning a new channel on the Wii Menu to enable family members to track their fitness progress and compare their results.

"In less than eight months, Wii has proved itself the video game system for everyone, and we're not letting up," Reggie Fils-Aime, President of Nintendo America, said in a press release. "We're producing hit after hit after hit, supported by a long line of third-party publishers who have shifted their resources to help make Wii the most distinctive video game system in history."

PC World posted a copy of Nintendo's promotional video for the Wii Fit on its Web site, which shows users doing step aerobics, core strength moves (push-ups), and yoga on the Balance Board. More entertainment-oriented applications involve shifting from side-to-side to (virtually) head soccer balls and dodge other thrown items, using the Balance Board to learn how to dance, and rolling virtual marbles around variously shaped playing fields to get them to drop through holes.

Original Mario Would Be Proud

The nonfitness crowd is not being left out. Nintendo also announced plans to release several other game titles, including: Super Mario Galaxy; Metroid Prime 3: Corruption; Super Smash Brothers Brawl; and Mario Kart for the Wii. In the video clips, also provided by PC World, it is evident that the games take advantage of the full range of motion offered by Nintendo's Wiimote.

Also in the works is the Wii Zapper, a white, gun-like controller for use in first-person shooter games. The Zapper is scheduled for release later this year; consumers can either get it bundled with a game (for instance, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles) or pay $20 to purchase it separately.

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