Nintendo says Get in Shape, is not Jenny Craig.

[Setzer Gabbiani]

Originally Posted by Demetrius

Mirai I just have to point out this in defense of the true gaming system .

That's true. World Class Track Meet was tiring me out far before DDR was ever released.

[PyrosNine]

Originally Posted by Bravefencer Shinryuu

Kids have been tilting the controller when playing for ages now. Seriously. Have you ever seen a 7 year old light gamer play a racing game? It's freaking hilarious.

My cousin's the worst about that. Playing Tekken or whatever on the DC, and while I'm trying to be nice and not just mop the floor with his 7 year old self, he's leaping about, leaning left and right, shaking the controller, and lashing out wildly.

He beat me up more OUTSIDE of the game than in it. Boy needs to take a few chill pills or whatnot.... Also, if I do have a Wii at some point, he isn't playing it. Even if the think was strapped, duct taped, and hotglued to his flesh it'd still end up piercing my tv and possibly my shoulder.

But I do think it's good for a game to be a bit more motion using than a keyboard or controller, as larger and more varied movements won't develop arthritis or carpal tunnel quicker.

[Meister]

Originally Posted by Bravefencer Shinryuu

Kids have been tilting the controller when playing for ages now. Seriously. Have you ever seen a 7 year old light gamer play a racing game? It's freaking hilarious.

Or a 21-year-old woman who's getting her hands on Mario Kart for the first time. Seriously, I watched that display and the genius of the controller struck me like lightning. (Unlike the controller itself will eventually, I hope.)

[Mirai Gen]

Originally Posted by Meister

Or a 21-year-old woman who's getting her hands on Mario Kart for the first time.

Hm. I think any 21 year old woman who's got her hands on that should probably just go down to the adult store and get one that's a little more oblong.

ZING!

But, seriously. I can't wait to get my hands on one, and I'm looking forward to swinging it around like a jackass too. But I'd probably end up playing it like I play Guitar Hero right now; get up, play a few rounds of Wii Tennis, then take a breather.

I mean, if you're going for something like Metroid Prime 3...that's alot of work. Better sit down.

Man, this is crazy. Its one of the first times in a long time that gaming at home is hard work.

[Krylo]

Originally Posted by Mirai Gen

But I'd probably end up playing it like I play Guitar Hero right now; get up, play a few rounds of Wii Tennis, then take a breather.

Wuss. I've played guitar hero until my fingers were numb, throbbing, and I couldn't move my fingers without pain.


Slightly more on-topic--I agree with the basic sentiment that Nintendo has here, but I don't particularily like the way they go about wording it. Might be just me, but it seems rather overtly blunt.

[Mirai Gen]

Originally Posted by krylo

Wuss. I've played guitar hero until my fingers were numb, throbbing, and I couldn't move my fingers without pain.

Oh, you missed where I said "Right now." I do it right now because, well, I've played my ass off for WEEKS. My fingers were fleshy goo for weeks when it first came out.

Its not until you are playing a song and your face twists in sheer agony but your fingers keep moving, until you can say you are alive!

But, enough about Guitar Hero.

[Meister]

Originally Posted by Silver Rose

I guess when Wii is for everyone, they only mean the completely able-bodied.

There hasn't ever been a barrier-free gaming system. There definitely is a problem there, but it's nothing new.

[...]by making the system physically oriented, Nintendo has decided to widen the gulf between boys and girls by using a control device that would alienate women. It's well known that in general, women have far less upper body strength than men and culturally have been ingrained to be not as physically engaged.

I honesly can't tell if you're joking. So, what, actual real-life bowling lanes and tennis courts are a men-only domain now?

[Fifthfiend]

I would add that there's a hell of a lot lower barrier to entry here considering as you're not even holding anything so heavy as a bowling ball or tennis racket, you're waving around a white piece of plastic that couldn't weigh more than what, half a pound? To the extent that physical ability is a requirement it would seem pretty strongly weighted in favor of dexterity and long-term endurance, areas where if anything it's ladies who have the advantage.

Also, inasmuch as women have been conditioned to avoid physical competition, I should think Nintendo would merit some appreciation for making an effort to encourage such activity.

[Sithdarth]

Ya know I was just thinking about buying some ankle and wrist weights to help my physical conditioning. Then I read this thread and I realized the hell I could put myself through trying to play the Wii with 5lbs strapped to each wrist. It sounds really REALLY fun.

[Mirai Gen]

Originally Posted by Silver Rose

So in other words, consumers who do not have full use of their arms or who have medical conditions that make strenuous physical acitivty imposssble are just out of luck? I guess when Wii is for everyone, they only mean the completely able-bodied.

Okay, so Christopher Reeves couldn't play a Wii before he died. I don't get your point here. Yes, the Wii is unique in the fact that it's motion sensitivity requires physical effort...but I don't see how their desire to push for physical activity during gaming is so incredibly terrible.

Also, what about the gender divide in video games? While Wii has been touted as luring people who are not interested in video games, by making the system physically oriented, Nintendo has decided to widen the gulf between boys and girls by using a control device that would alienate women. It's well known that in general, women have far less upper body strength than men and culturally have been ingrained to be not as physically engaged. By making the statement that only there's something wrong with YOU if you can't play, it makes it seem like Nintendo wants the Wii to be a "boys only" club.

...I fail to see how gender applies to this at all, considering the whole idea of the Wii is that it teaches physical motion to those who aren't gamers (parents, namely), and therefore integrate as many people as they possibly can into the gaming scene.

So, I don't get it.