So I bought Wii Fit today
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 1:14pm by Jack
Today I went ahead and took advantage of a $5 credit on my Amazon account — as well as the lack of sales tax on Internet transactions and Free Super Saver shipping — and pre-ordered Wii Fit.
All the signs and portents say this thing is going to be huge, and I didn’t want to miss out while my neighbors, parents and sisters got their fitness on without me. Some game-related reporting I did elsewhere on the Net today says that the fitness peripheral is already sold out in the UK at no less than five major retailers, and I highly doubt that fad-crazed Americas will be any different. Japan already fell in love, selling 1.4 million in roughly four months. Early previews from the blogs read something like this: “I was meh, then I tried it hands-on. It was actually kind of interesting.” Sounds like something else from the recent past, no?
Lastly, on a more personal note, I see this title/accessory as yet another area where my love of video game culture will overlap with my family, non-traditional video game buddies, and my girlfriend (the others being the Wii itself, its games, the DS and Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party). *Commence chick flick movie soundtrack*
In addition to this being a lame diary-type post by yours truly, I wanted to get the Infendo community’s feel for Wii Fit. If you’ve already drank the Kool-Aid and have decided to buy it, then why? What’s the motivation? If you think it stinks, then elaborate on that point. Do you think it stinks, but are willing to pontificate on why it will still be a success anyway? Do you think it will fail?
And you fence-sitters, who are perhaps waiting to see what Nintendo and the third parties do by way of games specifically designed for the balance board — list again how you’d like to see this accessory used.
Regardless of how you feel about it, Nintendo’s current strategy, or whatever, this thing is looking to be huge — and it’s not even out in Europe or the US yet. Consider this post a venue for intelligent, passionate discussion about all things Nintendo, particularly Wii Fit.
UPDATE: Apparently Nintendo has a new Wii Fit survey up today too. FYI.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I’m looking forward to Wii Fit. I go to the gym, but I am not expecting Wii Fit to replace that, just supplement it. Sometimes it’s difficult to get the energy to go. Hopefully if I use Wii Fit on those days, I will feel better about skipping. Most of the previews have said the exercises are tough, but fun. I’m hoping the fun factor will keep me coming back.
My other hope is that there will be many games that use the balance board. I’m not a game designer, but I can think of several possibilities to use this peripheral in more traditional games. Hopefully developers will get creative and we will see some really unique experiences come out of this.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I’m getting Wii Fit. As Reggie said, “Wii Fit is it”. I like games that have simple control schemes or involve more than just my thumbs for gameplay. I’m a sucker for DDR and I’ve been using video games and peripherals to exercise lately. Wii Fit really is it for mii.
Plus there are other games releasing that use the balance board that look like they may be good, I hope the devs put their games through some good quaity testing or have Nintendo helping them out. I buy peripherals, I love them seeing as this is the Wii’s first ral peripheral it’s a no brainer.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
its definitely a game i plan to enjoy with my wife, maybe my mom too, which is the main reason. the 2nd being the wii fit balance board peripheral. i think it has a lot of potential for future titles. this peripheral along with the wiimote and nunchuck are changing gaming. i’d hate to be without it in 2009.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
@Gausser “I’m looking forward to Wii Fit. I go to the gym, but I am not expecting Wii Fit to replace that, just supplement it.”
Great point. I meant to put that in my post, but completely forgot. Wii Fit to me is complementary to a regular routine. I go to the “real gym” after work each day. Wii Fit will “fit” into a morning routine (I get up way to early).
April 16th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I can’t wait for it!
I’ll be posting this in May, but I’ve been doing my own Wii Sports Weight loss plan. Over the past few months I’ve managed to lose almost 25 pounds with very little dieting. Just some intense Wii Sports each day. These “get-up-and-play” titles can really burn cals.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I’m excited for it, a little skeptical of the $90 though, but that’s how much GH3 costs, and that’s a helluva good time.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
@Blake: Easy answer for that one, bud… GH3 was/is overpriced
April 16th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
I need to get back into my DDR exercise routine. I recently found DDR Max at my store and it’s on hold until I can muster up the money for it. I think that I’ll get way more mileage out of it than Wii Fit. Unlike the Wii controller, Wii Fit seems too much like a gimmick that won’t have much support. Sure, they’re making a snowboard/skiing game for it in addition, but I don’t think there’s going to be much use for it after the initial wave of those kind of games pass by.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
True, it should have come with 2 guitar shells for that price. The current prices for guitar shells are a complete and total rip-off.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
@neko:
“Unlike the Wii controller, Wii Fit seems too much like a gimmick that won’t have much support. Sure, they’re making a snowboard/skiing game for it in addition, but I don’t think there’s going to be much use for it after the initial wave of those kind of games pass by.”
Yeah, but don’t you realize the same exact thing was said about the Wii? I agree there’s a risk, but the parallel here is uncanny. Replace Wii Fit in your comment with just “Wii” and then do a Google search on that and similar phrases (or even for the DS!). I think the results will surprise a lot of people.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I think about the WiiFit Bundle as follows:
Wiimote = $40
WiiPlay = $10
Wii Balance Board = 2 Wiimotes for your feet
Wii Balance Board = $80
WiiFit = $10
Very Good Deal, assuming you value WiiFit at $10
(I’d put it as high as $30-very meaty package).
I, too, plan for WiiFit to be a supplement to my Tennis playing.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
@neko to kuruma
The DK Bongo’s were only used in 3 games (an upcoming wiiware game is going to use them also, but let’s ignore that), but for the 3 games they were in, 2 were great and totally worth it. DDR mats are useable in other games, but shine the most in DDR.
there were a few promising uses of the Balance board in other games besides Wii Fit, they aren’t out yet, but at least one or two other good balance games would make it a good buy. I’m hoping for SSX and Pure support (if Pure is ever deeloped for wii or any similar game).
April 16th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I bought the game a few weeks back.
My main reasons are to stimulate me into getting back into shape. I’ve been dieting for a for weeks to lose the pounds I packed on while at college. I was in great shape in high-school (football and 2 seasons of track a year). Then college came and with little or no time for working out, my shape went by the wayside.
Now I’m getting married and with the eventuality of kids, I want to be in good shape to run and play with them.
I know “go to the gym”. But financially it’s kinda out of my reach, and by the time I get home (6, 6:30ish) I have enough time to eat and attempt to relax after work.
Wii Fit will obviously not replace actually working out. I understand this. But as a person who apparently liked the structure of organized athletics, this may be just the thing to start me off the right exercising direction.
Oh yeah, and I love being trendy. =)
April 16th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
My mom wants Wii Fit. My MOM. My 60+ year-old mother, who already shocked me by wanting a Wii, wants to have a video exercise game. It’s a mad, mad world.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I don’t doubt it will be huge. If they are renting “Wii Sports tennis time” at hotels, what do you think they’ll do with Wii Fit on hotel gyms, for example?
Yeah, it’ll be huge. I’m just not interested in it. Unless they come up with this awesome game that happens to use the board, or if the wife finds out about and simply HAS to have it… But so far, it’s not in my Wish List.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
@Jack
Thanks for the post, and you’ve convinced me to follow your lead and do an Amazon pre-order myself. I orginally planned to just pick it up at the local Best Buy I work at, but when I consider the demand this thing will have by May I really don’t feel like camping out. I mean I camped out for the Wii, and in hindsight it was worth it, but I can foresee a similar situation with this game and if a pre-order is available I’m taking it. I might have to wait an extra week or so for super saver shipping, but I have a feeling the wait could be a lot longer for those planning to just waltz in on release day and pick one up.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Anyone want to post up weekly results after the game releases? I’ve been using ddr mats, the ultimate kick boxing arena and wii sports to get in shape and have some extra fun. I think this would be good to do in a group.
April 20th, 2008 at 2:14 am
My girlfriend is super-excited about this game, so regardless of my thoughts on Wii Fit, I’ll own a copy as soon as it launches.
Nintendo’s current development strategy is absolutely brilliant. They release games like Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Mario Galaxy, which draw traditional players like me to their platforms. But they also release games (Wii Fit, Endless Ocean, WarioWare, etc.) that appeal to people like my girlfriend, who NEVER played games before. They are reaching a HUGE audience because of that.
Nintendo isn’t forgetting players like me; Nintendo is just adding more audiences to their target markets. And thus far, it’s been genius.
More on topic…Wii Fit looks interesting. I’m anxious to try it out.
April 20th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I couldn’t find the post asking about Wii fits weight limit, but here’s the answer, taken form an interview with Shigeru Miyamoto at Game Informer:
“Also, because when you’re standing on the Balance Board for some of the activities you don’t quite jump but you squat and exert different amounts of pressure on the Balance Board, the actual physical structure of the board is able to withstand much greater weights of around probably 660 pounds. The weight that it can accurately measure is 330 pounds.”
http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200804/N08.0418.1027.13629.htm?Page=2
So the weight limit for accurate measuring is 330 lbs, but the board itself is able to maintain 660 lbs.
April 27th, 2008 at 12:57 am
This is the first thing my wife has ever purchased related to video games that wasn’t for me. She was so enamored with Wii Fit that she bought it on Amazon. Of course, she says she bought it for me, but I sure didn’t ask for the Wii Fit Pad that’s arriving soon after.
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:11 am
I live in Europe so I’ve had the opportunity to already play with it. It’s G-R-E-A-T. A friend of mine bought it and we tried it for several hours. We really enjoyed the games, mainly skiing and also snowboard. We also had lots of fun with the hoolahop.
As the wiimote, the wiiboard -or whatever name it has- shines with good, specific games. Similar to WiiSports, it’s not only for the ’solo’ player but it’s great fun when played with other people. I’m hoping a multiple player mode appears, as I can’t even imagine how fun the dancing levels could be.
It won’t take long for me to buy one
Just one last note: It’s selling for 90 euros here in Spain, that’s about 138 dollars, 50 dollars more than its price at the USA. Could someone explain this to me?