Ugh.

This review was pure hell to do.

The reason is that I hate Wii Fit.

Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a wonderfully made game, and I think it can be extremely beneficial for those trying to lose unwanted pounds.

But, that’s not me.

See, while I’m not necessarily overweight, I am lazy as shit. Because of this, the rare times when I DO pop in Wii Fit, all it proceeds to do is make me feel like an out of shape slob (which I am) and give me a bit of a complex.

Yes, I know that if I actually stuck with Wii Fit, and used it every single day all of these bad feelings could be avoided, and I’d soon be much more firm. However, I don’t have that kind of time or patience. Plus, there’s far more fun and awesome games to play,
and stuff to do that doesn’t require nearly as much effort. Like writing smarmy reviews and blogs!

Anyway, for those of you that use Wii Fit as it’s intended, and if you’ve found that you’re either bored with it, or that your workouts have plateaued, CTA’s Multifunction Step Platform is an affordable must buy.

The first thing I noticed while using the platform (after putting it together with minimal swearing) was that it’s additional height really enhances one’s Wii Fit workout.

While doing the aerobics workout as part of Fit Plus, I honestly thought I was going to throw up after about 5 minutes. Seriously, the next morning my hips, legs, and ass were killing me. For bored soccer moms, trophy wives or workout freaks this might be what you’re trying to achieve.

Me? I just wanted to smash this thing with a hammer. I guess that means that it works as it’s intended.

Upon my second day of testing, I did start to notice a problem with the platform. It seemingly causes Wii Fit to read your weight incorrectly on occasion, which is annoying.
I kept getting the message that “my weight is different from last time,” and it was short changing me by about 30 pounds (oh, if only!) Seeing as that continued to happen, I’d recommend that you actually weigh yourself first, and then attach the platform to the balance board. Again, that’s just kind of a pain in the ass, and it reeks of not testing this unit adequately before it shipped.

Once this problem was resolved, I started up another round of aerobics, and really did my best to basically try and break the Step Platform. No, not so much out of frustration of being dizzy and sucking wind, but more just to test it’s overall sturdiness. Well, I can assure you that the Step Platform is very stable, and is built very well. So, if you had any concerns about falling off of it, and breaking your neck, it’s probably not going to happen.

In closing, like I said earlier, if you still use Wii Fit regularly you should buy this thing.
It intensifies your aerobic workout, it’s easy to put together, surprisingly sturdy, and cheap.

Now, let me never have to review something like this ever, ever again.

Now I’m going to go back to playing Red Dead Redemption while sitting on my ass.

The CTA Multifunction Step Platform retails for $26.99, but can be found much cheaper online. Just search around.

Mega-national retailer Target today announced a partnership with Nintendo allowing customers to try out Wii Fit Plus at the store.

Beginning this weekend and lasting until the end of the month, select Target locations nationwide will have kiosks set up in the parking lot and or in the entrance of the stores where shoppers can get their feet on the balance board and new exercise routines offered in Wii Fit Plus.

Nintendo and Target associates will be on hand to answer your questions and provide free healthy snacks, and may or may not corral you into the store to buy the game.

Here’s what the higher-ups at both companies had to say:

"If you’re just embarking on your New Year’s resolutions (or have already abandoned them), the Wii Fit Plus Experience at Target stores will show you how you can have fun and stay active," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Wii Fit Plus has so many customizable options, it’s easy to stay motivated and energized all year long."

"The Wii Fit Plus sampling events give our guests the opportunity to try out this popular fitness game before making a purchase," said Mark Schindele, senior vice president, Target. "We strive to make sure our guests find everything they need to work, live and play all in one convenient and simplified shopping experience."

Target is the store I purchased my Wii from all those years ago. I had to trip a grandmother and punch an 8-year-old to secure my system, so I don’t think I’ll be returning to the store and its bad memories any time soon. What about you?

Ever since we first saw that “Rhythm Heaven” advertisement and heard Beyonce’s adorable laugh, we knew she was up to something. And today we know what her real aspirations are. She wants to make a video game!

Speaking with Billboard, the singer/actress/producer remarked how her love of Wii Fit made her want to create a fitness game that incorporates dancing into its regimen.

“I’m interested in a lot of different things. I’d like to get involved in videogames since I really love Wii Fit. I think it would be a great idea to incorporate choreography because for me my workout is way more fun when it involves dancing as opposed to running on a boring treadmill. So I would love to do some kind of fitness game but incorporate dance and performance into it. I think a lot of women would enjoy that.”

Sure, it sounds alot like she’s talking about Dance Dance Revolution, but with that series receding and Beyonce the mainstay that she is, if any face can sell the game, it’s hers.

Source: Joystiq

Nintendo’s Wii Fit might just be the best thing for the company this year. It sold millions and millions, promotes health-conscious activity, has a sequel on the horizon, and now helps Major League Baseball players?

A report in the Wall Street Journal today calls on‚  Heath Bell of the San Diego Padres as the man who saw his in-game avatar be judged obese and then did something about it.

In trimming his mini-me down, Bell lost 25 real-pounds and credits the game with increasing his general balance. Additionally, Bell is more than enjoying his best year in MLB to date with 37 saves placing among league leaders. [Editor's Note: I pick nits because of my baseball background, but this is his second-best season. Saves are not a credible measurement of value. However, Bell's succeeding at a high level after his peak, so kudos to Bell and his weight loss on that note. -Marc]

Head on over to the Wall Street Journal Online for the full story.

Reuters is reporting that Nintendo has given a May 19 release date on their new fitness product, Wii Fit

With Wii Fit, gamers will burn calories on a weight-and-motion sensing Wii Balance Board.

Nintendo will also launch of a new online service, called WiiWare on May 12. WiiWare will let game publishers distribute titles over the Internet instead of retail discs.

Finally, we have the firm release date for Super Smash Bros. Brawl set for March 9. **Fingers crossed**

Correction: Reuters reported Super Smash Bros. Brawl’s release date incorrectly as May 9.