Santa Monica (CA) – Nintendo’s ideas to reach new customers for its Wii game console have added another direction today: The company introduced the WiiFit software and the Wii Balance Board which effectively create a virtual workout center in front of your TV.

 

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In pictures: Wii Fit (9 slides) ...

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Keeping an expanding the customer base for video games emerges as on of the focus areas of this year’s E3 conference. This expansion targets every family member with games that video game companies believe will attract the non-traditional gamer crowd that never would have touched a joystick or controller before.

 

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Video from the Nintendo Press Briefing 

 

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Microsoft announced yesterday first moves in this strategy, with titles such as Scene it and Naruto: Rise of a Ninja. Nintendo already has some experience advantage and advantage here with titles such as Brain Age and today announced its next step: The company will introduce a virtual fitness trainer, consisting of WiiFit and the Wii Balance Board.

 

 

The board resembles the look of a common square scale and interacts wirelessly with the Wii console. It serves as a tool to measure body weight, body balance and balance shifts. In combination with the software, the user can go through various fitness workouts such as stretching and general aerobics as well as more entertaining exercises such as sports. All results and measurements can be tracked in a graphical chart over time. For the future, Nintendo promised, that the Balance Board would be integrated in games to allow for full body control of in-game characters.

Nintendo called the new device a key to provide the “ultimate interactive experience”. “There are only 24 hours in a day and there is a very small amount available for video games. We intend to steal more of that time, minute by minute,” said Nintendo's executive vice president of sales and marketing Reginald Fils-Aime during his keynote at E3.

New Power Pad?

Jul 11, 2007 12:46     

Come on, put it out there Nintendo.
Will report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Good old days...

Jul 11, 2007 13:24     

Ah yes, the power pad, I remember thoughs days... being a track star... ahhh.. but such a hassle to bring it out, unfold it, hook it up... This new balance board should be much easyer to set up. And a boost in battery sales =P
Dusty report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

How about?

Jul 11, 2007 14:06     

They are genius and I admire them. however i wonder what will it take for them to make a system for sex :D
Arash report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Duh...

Jul 11, 2007 14:13     

Been writing suggestions to Nintendo for a while now. Too bad they don't take advantage of something like weight watchers and wifi use for community support. Need to have some true visionaries to bring this console to the next level. Are there any intelligent marketing people in the video game industry?
himoses report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Buff Potato?

Jul 11, 2007 14:57     

Would this make buff potatoes out of the couch potatoes? It would be like 'having your cake and eating it too' with the cake being healthy.
TomLeeM/BigWarpGuy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

No looking back....

Jul 11, 2007 15:17     

Ok, it's official! With the introduction of the Wii Gun and the Pad, it's on like Donkey Kong! Ergo sensors will follow. You could place a sensor on a bat, or tennis racket, you name it. Then will come suits with accelerometer MiMM's built right in! This is the next gen vid sys for EVERYONE! Look out Sony and MS!!!!
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Wii ddr to come?

Jul 11, 2007 16:24     

Wii ddr to come?
Jeff report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

nice one!

Jul 11, 2007 18:10     

Nintendo's initiative is admirable.
fastpunk report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

If only...

Jul 12, 2007 12:46     

the graphics didn't suck and the games were half decent. M$ and Sony need to take some queues from this, if they could do something similar, with their superior technology, then the product could truly be great.
gm0n3y report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Wheres The PowerGlove?!?!?!

Jul 12, 2007 18:12     

lol
hmm report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Hmmm

Jul 12, 2007 18:41     

If only there was some way for everyone to enjoy things like this... oh wait, its called playing outside! way to recreate the playground without human interaction nintendo.
Nate report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

THIS IS STUPID

Jul 12, 2007 20:37     

If any of you saw something like this advertised on late night TV at 12AM for 2 easy payments of 149 dollars plus shipping and handling, all of you would either not care and change the channel, turn to a friend and make fun of it, or think its the stupidest thing youve ever seen. As soon as Nintendo puts its name on it, all of a sudden it becomes a gift from God. All of you are pretty blind and pathetic.

Blah report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

RE: How about?

Jul 12, 2007 23:16     

there already is a system for sex, it doesn't cost money, and its better than anything nintendo will ever make......
Tom report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

As it matures, its a great idea!

Jul 13, 2007 13:14     

It may seem silly to some and so did the contraption of the first umbrella, but making fitness entertaining is exactly what people need!
Sarcasm! report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Give it a couple of years

Jul 13, 2007 23:42     

and both $ony and M$ will be far behind again. Try googling Nintendo Stereoscopic or check this site out http://briandavidphillips.typepad.com/brian/2005/11/nintendo_stereo.html
Gary report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

One step further

Aug 02, 2007 07:29     

How about virtual instruments for learning music, join a virtual band/orchestra! Language tutorials with other Mii's? Attaching to an exercise bike and go on adventures?
Bonzerino report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0