Review: Nintendo Wii Fit U
I live a sedentary life. Or so my video game console tells me.
The console, the Wii U from Nintendo, has been tracking my daily routine for the last two weeks as part of Wii Fit U, an exercise video game that creates personalized fitness regimens for players.
Like two earlier versions of the game, Wii Fit U incorporates a physical accessory, the Wii Balance Board, which records players' weight and movements in activities like yoga and strength training. There are not many exercises you can do while standing or sitting on a board, but Wii Fit U makes it engaging by incorporating challenges like bouncing on a virtual trampoline and navigating a luge course.
New to the game is the Wii Fit Meter, which clips on a belt or waistband and records your activity throughout the day, including steps taken and calories burned. At home, the data can be downloaded into the Wii U controller. Once the information is recorded, you can use it to chart your progress toward fitness goals or share it with your family and friends in Wii's online communities for motivation.
The game itself is relatively simple, starting with topics like balance and breathing. It seems to be intended for curious people who don't know much about exercise or have an aversion to the gym. Fortunately, the challenges do not last too long and do not require much space in front of a TV.
The small Fitness Meter was unnoticeable when clipped to my belt, but it did motivate me to take the stairs more often at work. And when I got home, I felt compelled to transfer and review the data, which inevitably led to a quick challenge or two to try to burn a few more daily calories.
The Wii Fit U game, board and meter will be available in a bundle for $90 on Jan. 10. For those who already own a board, a digital version of the new game is available now for download, which Nintendo is offering free on its e-commerce site through Jan. 31. The digital download is free for a month. After a 30-day trial, users must pay for the game, or buy the meter for $20 and the download remains free.
Of course, you have to own a Wii U console, which runs about $300. Still, it's cheaper than joining a gym and it beats sitting on the couch and playing video games.
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