Wii Can Do It

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

02 Jan 2007 04:41 PM

Did you hear all the hullabaloo about the new game consoles that became available in the last couple of months of 2006? One of those gaming consoles as labeled Wii (pronounced 'we'). The Nintendo Wii utilizes wireless controllers that take advantage of all the bobbing about most game players indulge in when they are playing a video game.

In fact, it's always been something of a joke in our household that leaning hard right when you are playing a driving game doesn't really help your game playing. We just do it because our bodies know that is the motion we're supposed to make. Nintendo recognized this and integrated movement based technology into their controllers

Mimicking Motion

The controllers reflexively respond to the motion you engage in and then communicates it to the animated character on the screen - imagine if you will a game of tennis where you swing the controller and your player smacks the ball through the delivery of the motion. The baseball version of the game utilizes a ball and a bat - and you mimic the swinging motion with the controller in order to strike the ball or to pitch it.

Everyone I have talked to who has played the Nintendo Wii loves it. The fitness options, however, are astronomical. Think about it, one of the greatest proponents about the dance pad and games like Dance, Dance Revolution - is they get our kids and ourselves for that matter up and moving while they enjoy their pastime in front of the television screen.

The Nintendo Wii is taking that a step forward. My nephew loves video games and he does enjoy physical activity too - but I've seen him play for hours at a time and the idea of letting him play in front of the Nintendo Wii because it would get them up and moving - whether they were boxing, bowling, playing tennis and more.

Fitness experts are already looking into this great potential for fitness and whereas before I had little to no interest whatsoever in picking up a Nintendo Wii - now I'm seriously considering it. I've checked them out in the stores, I've read the reviews and I've talked to others that own them. The beauty of getting aerobic exercise while having fun playing video games - there's a symmetry there that must be appreciated by every parent worried about their child's video game habits.

As soon as I get a chance, we're going to get ourselves into the Wii - and I'm going to really explore the fitness possibilities. According to the news reports -- there should be more available in March. Do you Wii?

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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Andrea Hermitt (5210) 02 Jan 2007 05:10 PM

We tried to get it for Christmas to no avail, but will own one as soon as possible!

Miriam Caldwell (7836) 02 Jan 2007 08:10 PM

My dh has one. I must say that there isn't as much movement as I hoped for. You do move the controller around, but you can do it from a sitting position--even the sports games. It has a lot of potential though. We play the sports games standing up. My nephew got one as well, and all he really does is play video games. It was nice to see him break into a sweat when he was playing the boxing game.

I think that they need to come out with fitness specific games for the Wii--like they did for the other systems. This would really take it to a new level.

Debbie LaCroix (334) 03 Jan 2007 08:58 PM

We just got a DDR for excercise. My DH and I are fighting over it! We also have a WII.

Debbie