Tag Archives: wii balance board

Nintendo has announced 43 million copies of Wii Fit and Wii Fit plus sold worldwide, as it announced Wii Fit U.

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Nintendo’s announced this afternoon (via EG) that sales of Wii have hit 30 million in Europe since its December 2006 launch, making it the biggest-selling console this generation. As of last August, PS3 sales were as of 22 million units, while Xbox 360 numbers in Europe are a bit of an unknown so far. Nintendo’s also said that 41.9 million Wii Balance Boards have been sold since 2008. The board came bundled with Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus, with sales at 22.6 million for the former and 19.3 million for the latter.

The American Council on Exercise has issued a report on the effectiveness of WiiFit and how much of an impact it makes using it as a sole means for exercise and physical fitness.

To make things more official and accurate, the council enlisted the help of research experts John Porcari, Alexa Carroll, and Carl Foster from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse Exercise and Health Program.

The study conduced by the researchers included 16 volunteers, male and female, ages 20 to 24 years and the results concluded that while “anything was better than nothing”, WiiFit should be used in addition to a exercise program, not as the only means.

“I guess anything is better than nothing, but we were a little bit underwhelmed with the exercise intensity of some of the exercises,” said John Porcari, PhD. “The Wii Fit is a very, very mild workout.

“You’re better off doing Wii Sports than Wii Fit. In Wii Sports there’s more jumping around, and you’re not constrained by having to stand on the balance pad. I just think there’s much more freedom of movement and you get a better workout.”

“Since using the Wii Fit alone may not produce results that meet recommended physical activity, guidelines” notes study author Alexa Carroll, M.S., “it is important that individuals participate in additional exercises to effectively reach these guidelines.”

The full study can be read through this lovely PDF document.

Ubisoft has announced Academy of Champions, an arcade football/soccer game exclusively for Wii featuring Pelé.

The game promises to deliver an an interactive experience for children and families with a story-driven adventure starting with enrollment at an Academy where your coach is Pelé.

Players can improve their skills, recruit new team members and build a squad to defeat their rival Academy and win the champion cup.

Wii Balance Board and MotionPlus compatible, the game is set for release sometime this year.

Press release is posted after the break.

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EA’s released a video showing how important the Wii Balance Board is to EA Sports Active.

Can just see someone slipping of the thing while kickboxing, to be honest.

If this sort of thing is your cup of tea, or you’re just interested in getting one for your Mom on Mother’s Day, watch the video after the break.

It’s out on May 19.

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