Game Review// Wii Fit

According to my Wii, this is my 65th day playing Wii Fit. Mind you, in total I've only racked up about 8 hrs of playing but don't take that as a negative view of the game or anything, it's just been a busy month. Wii Fit actually has lots of potential to be a very helpful tool for people of any age, any size and any gaming background :)

The game starts by letting you create your own personal profile, using your Mii as a basic avatar. Up to 8 profiles can be created per game, so even if you have a house full of people who are all charging to play Wii Fit, the game has got you covered. An animated version of the balance board acts as your guide through the wonderful-fantabulous world of Wii Fit, which gives it plenty of leeway to make lame jokes about you having to stand on it all the time. At least it's courteous though since I have yet to hear any fat jokes. Anyways, when you choose your Mii, the BB (Balance Board) explains a bit about balance and posture and why all that jazz is important to health and whatnot. After that, it's time to take your very first Body Test! The game is pretty much based around these "Body Tests" encouraging you to take them daily, even if you don't have a chance to train. They're fairly quick/easy things to do, so if you're willing to put the effort into the game then keeping them up regularly is not an entirely unreasonable request. After receiving your test results, the BB will ask you to set a goal for yourself. All the things that the test measures (BMI, weight, Wii Fit Age) and your goals are monitored in a neat little graph format, that are really helpful in terms of checking out your progress.

As for the training, it's split up into 4 different categories: Yoga, Strength Training, Aerobics, and Balance Games. Each category begins with only one or two selections, but unlocks more as you continuously train with the game. By no means are any of these categories intensive training programs, but instead act as an introduction to different forms of keeping in shape. Yoga focuses on posture and balance and will introduce the player to some basic stances such as the half moon pose, the more advance dance pose and the traditional tree pose. If muscle is your thing, Strength training demonstrates exercises such as the push up/side plank, jackknife, and torso twists. Aerobics is great for cardio lovers, and ranges its activities from step aerobics, to jogging, to even rhythm boxing. Finally, the balance games are exactly what they say they are. Games that attempt to make working on your balance fun. You can avoid getting hit in the head with a soccer cleat, walk a tightrope, or even roll around in an imaginary bubble.

With all it's greatness and popularity, the game does have it's flaws. For example, it's pretty easy to shake the wiimote around and pretend you're jogging. Though personally I'd rather jog outside, instead of on the spot and chasing an animated dog with a wiimote in my pocket. Also, you can't really take the accuracy of the test/exercises it does on you seriously unless you actually try doing them PROPERLY, considering it's really easy to cheat (by holding on to a chair, or sitting down as you play, etcetera, etcetera). It's in no way intended to be a serious weight loss program, but rather a fun and quick way to keep active, and move away from the 'couch potato' gaming position we all know and love.

So other than that, and it's creepy attempts at trying to be human by asking you about the progress of other Mii's that have joined, or switching up your trainers every once in a while because yours seems to be busy with plans (animated trainers have hot dates too, clearly), I think it's worth a try. Even if you totally hate it, looking like an idiot hula hooping with an imaginary hoop will at least be worth a laugh or two.