Nintendo is selling the Wii game system like hot cakes. The company, which introduced the Wii in November 2006, sold more than 10 million of the game systems in the United States last year. It’s been largely touted for getting people active while playing video games. But with that activity comes a hefty medical price.
There’s an interesting New York Times article on the widespread injuries inflicted upon Wii enthusiasts. The author even reports a pop in his left shoulder after playing Wii tennis.
If you’re not familiar with the Wii phenomenon, gamers use a handheld, wireless remote where you mimic the motion of the activity in the video game. This could include tennis, boxing, bowling, among others.
During the past year the Wii Fit has become a breakthrough in fitness for many would-be couch potatoes. And while some reports say that the reality of the Wii Fit is that most of them aren’t being used for fitness, but rather gathering dust in the more than 1.5 million homes with one, more games keep coming out.
This past year, Jillian Michaels’ released her own Fitness Ultimatum for the Wii to lack-luster reviews, and there are rumors that the Biggest Loser will release its own game. But before that, the show’s host Alison Sweeney is giving EA Sports Active Personal Trainer a try.
“When do I have time to go to the gym? It really is like a personal trainer in a box. It’s perfect. I recommend it to all mothers!”, raves the new mom about the game that releases May 19. Alison is also joining 11 others in a 30-Day Challenge, to be the first to try the new game and report their progress. The challenge begins with a spa retreat hosted by Bob Greene, and it’s no surprise that his involvement earned the product a Best Life seal of approval. Other participants include web celebs, mommy bloggers, gamers and daddy bloggers.
Alison Sweeney with daughter Megan Hope. (via People.com)
Fans of Biggest Loser watching the current season seven might be a little confused by a very noticeably pregnant Alison Sweeney when they learn that she’s got a two-month-old baby girl at home. Sweeney announced her pregnancy during late filming of season six, and was pregnant throughout the filming of season seven. People were surprised to see her six weeks shy of delivery at the season six finale, only to show up a few weeks later on the season seven premiere with a barely-there bump.
After a long day of filming for season seven, a very 9-months-pregnant Sweeney went into the hospital for a routine check-up, still donning hair and make-up from the set. “My doctor was a little concerned and said, ‘I don’t want to leave her in there one more day!” says Sweeney, whose labor was then induced. The short notice gave barely enough time for her husband, California State Trooper Dave Sanov, to make it to her side.
The Wii Fit has been on the market for about a year now, which means people can finally decide whether or not it is truly a meaningful fitness tool, or just a hyped-up game. Forbes took a look at the Wii Fit, which they say is now in 1.5 million homes. They asked the question “is anyone really using it?” and the answer may not surprise you.
Not really, says Brian Crecente, managing editor of the popular gaming blog Kotaku. Despite optimistic predictions that Nintendo had unleashed a new era of videogames, Crecente calls Wii Fit little more than an exercise fad that’s bound to come and go like any other. “I don’t know a single person who has bought the game who uses it routinely after a month,” he claims, stressing that getting results from the game requires dedication and real physical exertion.
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Update: Check out the Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010, completely updated!
We were as excited as everyone else to get our hands on the new Jillian Michaels for the Nintendo Wii- Fitness Ultimatum 2009. It seems anything Jillian touches turns to fitness gold. We’re huge fans of hers, and have always had nothing but nice things to say about her many other products. There’s no way to know how hands-on she was in the development of the game, if the developers rushed the job or if they did much consumer testing, either way, it doesn’t seem like much attention on any of those accounts.
When I launched the game, I was immediately struck by the graphics. That’s one of the most impressive characteristics of the Wii games. But this? Reminded me of the Duck Hunt days. Very grainy, unrefined images that didn’t reflect the quality we’ve come to expect from the Wii. We don’t want you to just take our word for it, hear the comments left on the review. “The graphics are horrible. The screen hardly moves at all when you’re exercising… you basically get to watch your avatar run/kayak/bounce in place just like you,” said Gin. Kurt agreed, “Graphics are on par with Atari I played as a kid.”
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