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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