Wii Fit is a 2007 video game that combines exercise and gaming. It was created and sold by Nintendo for the Wii console. The game includes activities such as yoga, strength training, aerobics, and balance exercises, which are played using the Wii Balance Board accessory. The game's designer, Hiroshi Matsunaga, said it was meant to encourage families to exercise together. Health clubs worldwide have used it, and it has been used in rehabilitation therapy for children and to help improve posture in elderly people at nursing homes.
Wii Fit received mostly positive reviews, though some critics said certain workouts were not intense enough. By March 2022, it had sold 22.67 million copies, making it the third best-selling console game that was not included with a console. In October 2009, an improved version called Wii Fit Plus was released. It added more games and features and was also well-received. By March 2022, it had sold 21.13 million copies, ranking as the seventh best-selling game for the Wii. Together, both versions sold 43.8 million copies, making them one of the best-selling video games of all time.
Gameplay
Wii Fit uses the Wii Balance Board, a special platform that players stand on during gameplay. The Balance Board can detect and track the player's center of balance (COB), which is important for many game activities. It also measures the player's weight, similar to a bathroom scale. Wii Fit includes over 40 activities that encourage physical movement, such as yoga poses, strength training, aerobics, and balance games. Most activities focus on keeping the COB steady and improving posture.
Players create a user profile in Wii Fit, which includes their birthdate, height, and a Mii character. This profile tracks the player's progress in the game. Players can also log physical activities done outside of Wii Fit into their profile. Up to eight different profiles can be created on one system.
The Yoga and Strength Training activities in Wii Fit include an on-screen personal trainer who guides and evaluates the player's performance. While standing on the Wii Balance Board, the player follows the trainer's instructions to perform the activity by copying their movements. In Yoga, the player holds a pose or series of poses for a set time. In Strength Training, the player completes a specific number of repetitions of an exercise. During these activities, the player sees a red dot on the screen that shows their COB. The trainer tells the player to keep their COB within a yellow circle on the screen. If the COB moves outside this circle, points are lost. Wii Fit has 30 Yoga and Strength Training activities.
The other main categories in Wii Fit are Aerobics and Balance Games, which include 18 minigames featuring Miis as characters. Aerobics involve more active movements and are divided into three types: hula hooping, step aerobics, and jogging. In Hula Hoop, the player spins hoops by moving their hips, and is scored based on how many spins they complete in a set time. Step aerobics (called "Step" in the game) involve stepping on and off the Balance Board in a rhythmic way. In jogging, the player runs in place while keeping the Wii Remote in their pocket, which counts steps like a pedometer. Variations of step aerobics and jogging, called "Free Step" and "Free Run," allow players to exercise at their own pace without watching the screen. Balance Games include nine activities that use the player's COB to control the game. For example, in "Soccer Heading," players lean left or right to move their Mii character and head soccer balls. In "Table Tilt," players shift their balance to tilt the platform and guide balls into holes. Other activities include slalom skiing, snowboarding, tightrope walking, and a game called "Lotus Focus," where players sit still on the Balance Board for a set time.
Players can take "Body Tests" to calculate their body mass index (BMI) and test their balance. Each Body Test updates the player's "Wii Fit Age," which gives a general idea of their physical strength compared to their actual age. A separate program called "Wii Fit Channel" can be installed on the Wii Menu, allowing players to take Body Tests without needing to load the Wii Fit game disc.
Development
Wii Fit was first introduced as the Wii Health Pack by Nintendo's chief game designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, during a conference in mid-September 2006. At the time, it was described as a "way to help get families exercising together." The idea had originally been included in Miyamoto's design plan for a group of games, including Wii Sports and Wii Play, which he wrote on a single sheet of paper.
Like other games Miyamoto created, such as Nintendogs, the design of Wii Fit was inspired by activities from his daily life. Miyamoto mentioned that he and his family had become more focused on health, such as going to the gym and tracking their weight. He noted that discussing these topics became enjoyable over time. Since weighing oneself was not fun, Nintendo decided to create games that could fit with this idea. The Wii Balance Board took almost two years to develop and was inspired by the need for sumo wrestlers to weigh themselves using two scales.
The game was officially announced with its current name at Nintendo's E3 press conference on July 11, 2007. Miyamoto, along with Nintendo of America CEO Reggie Fils-Aimé and others, demonstrated the game. Miyamoto explained that a full team had worked on Wii Fit for one year at the time. He also stated that there were no plans to include WiiConnect24 features in the game initially. However, he mentioned that future use of WiiConnect24 might be possible, such as connecting with a doctor for rehabilitation or a fitness specialist for training exercises.
Wii Fit Plus
Wii Fit Plus is an improved version of Wii Fit. It was released in Japan on October 1, 2009, and in other regions the same month. The game was announced on June 2, 2009, during Nintendo's E3 2009 media briefing. It includes all the original games from Wii Fit, plus 15 new balance and aerobics games (called "Training Plus") and six new strength training and yoga activities. New features include a calorie burning counter, the ability to create custom fitness plans or choose from specialized routines based on goals and available time, and the option to create profiles for pets and babies. Users can also move between exercises more quickly.
After the success of Wii Fit, producer Shigeru Miyamoto decided to create a follow-up. During development of Wii Fit Plus, Miyamoto learned that many Wii Fit owners had stopped playing the game, often because of inconvenience. To solve this, a new menu interface called "My Wii Fit Plus" was added to make activities easier to access. This interface was redesigned and adjusted many times during development. When creating new minigames for Wii Fit Plus, Miyamoto aimed to design activities that use both the player's mind and body, such as games that require using both the Wii Remote and the Wii Balance Board at the same time.
Reception
Wii Fit was well received by many people. It has an 81.18% score on GameRankings, which averages the opinions of 57 media outlets, and an average score of 81 on MobyGames. Many reviewers praised the game’s balance and aerobics minigames as simple and fun. However, some critics pointed out that the game does not provide a serious workout. One review from 1UP.com said that the lack of structure might lead players to avoid working hard, even if they want to. X-Play noted that short activities are interrupted by menus, making it hard to keep a steady heart rate. GameRevolution criticized the game for requiring players to stop and navigate menus, which breaks the flow of a workout. Some reviewers also mentioned that the yoga and strength training exercises lacked the usual charm of Nintendo games, with one critic calling the setting "the world's most lifeless, depressing gym." Despite these issues, the game’s friendly interface and variety of activities made it appealing to those new to exercise. A review on IGN said that Wii Fit helps make working out feel less scary and more enjoyable.
A study in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that the aerobics part of Wii Fit did not raise heart rates enough to meet the recommended level for improving cardiorespiratory fitness. Another study by Tokyo’s National Institute of Health and Nutrition showed that only 33% of the game’s 68 exercises (22 total) met the medium-intensity standard. None of the exercises reached high intensity. Researchers said the game’s exercises provided less benefit than real sports because they involved little movement across a space. To meet the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, players would need to spend more time working out because of the time spent navigating menus and the lack of customizable routines.
Wii Fit won the "Best Use of the Balance Board" award from IGN in 2008. It was also nominated for other awards, including "Best New IP" and "Best Sports Game." Hyper praised the game for its accessibility and novelty but said it was not ideal for long play sessions. Cycling Weekly reported that cyclist Mark Cavendish had to stop training after injuring his calf while playing Wii Fit.
In the UK, some parents complained about the game’s use of BMI terminology, which led to their daughter being labeled overweight. Nintendo apologized for any offense caused. At the 12th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, Wii Fit was nominated for "Family Game of the Year" and "Outstanding Innovation in Gaming."
Wii Fit Plus received mostly positive reviews. GameRankings gave it an 80.83% score based on 18 reviews, and Metacritic gave it an 80% score based on 33 reviews. IGN scored it 8.2, and GameSpot gave it a 7.5 out of 10. 1UP said it was an improvement but still needed some fixes. Wii Fit Plus was also nominated for "Family Game of the Year" at the 13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.
In 2010, the AHA endorsed the Wii to help sedentary people start exercising. The AHA heart icon appeared on the console and two active games: Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort.
Wii Fit sold over 250,000 copies in its first week. By January 6, 2008, one million copies had been sold in Japan after its December 1, 2007, release. By January 4, 2009, it had sold 3,125,000 copies in Japan, making it the third best-selling game and the top-selling Wii game of 2008.
Before its release, demand for Wii Fit was high in the UK, with some retailers stopping pre-orders due to popularity. Retailers reported long lines and sales of 90 copies per minute. Nintendo UK worked to increase stock availability. In its first week, Wii Fit was the best-selling video game in the UK, despite its higher price (£70 compared to an average of £35–£40). It made over £16 million in sales. However, by May 2008, sales dropped significantly, likely because the game was sold out.
In the US, Wii Fit sold out at pre-launch retailers like Amazon.com, GameStop, and Wal-Mart. After release, stores nationwide ran out of stock. Analyst Michael Pachter said Nintendo shipped only 500,000 copies to North America compared to two million in Europe, prioritizing Europe for profit due to the euro’s stronger value. In May 2008, Wii Fit sold 690,000 units in the US, making it the third best-selling title that month. It was sold at $89.99, but a shortage led to a secondary market where it sold for $175 on Amazon.com and eBay.
From January to July 2008, the game sold 1.433 million copies in the US, 624,000 in the UK, and 1.547 million in Japan, totaling 3.604 million. By March 31, 2009, Nintendo had sold 18.22 million copies worldwide. In the third quarter of 2008, the game sold 1.283 million copies in the US, 460,000 in the UK, and 346,000 in Japan, totaling 2.089 million.
Other uses
Wii Fit has been used in physical therapy and rehabilitation programs. It is used in many health clubs worldwide to help people improve their health.
Wii Fit has also been used to help older adults with balance problems. In one study, an 86-year-old woman had trouble walking without help after a stroke. She could not walk safely even with a walker. She took part in four training sessions along with regular physical therapy. Before and after the sessions, she completed tests such as the Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach, Lateral Reach, Timed Up & Go, computerized posturography, and the Short Feedback Questionnaire. The results showed she improved her balance. After leaving the hospital, she could walk with a walker and needed less help.
In summer 2009, the Finnish Defence Forces support organisation bought 384 Wii consoles, including Wii Sports and Wii Fit, for military bases. The goal was to encourage soldiers to exercise during their free time. Soldiers and officers gave positive feedback about the program.
Some nursing homes use Wii Fit to help residents do light exercise. The system provides yoga and balance activities. It helps people who cannot do intense workouts improve their heart rate and overall health. Residents can choose to stand or sit while playing, depending on their ability to move.
Legacy
The third game in the series, Wii Fit U, was released for the Wii U, which is the next version of the Wii. It keeps most of the same features as earlier games but uses the Wii U GamePad. It can also connect data with the optional Fit Meter, a pedometer that tracks activities like steps taken and altitude. The game was available on the Nintendo eShop in October and November 2013 for major markets. A store version was released in Europe and Australia in December 2013 and was planned for release in North America in January 2014 and in Japan the following month.
A new exercise game for the Nintendo Switch, Ring Fit Adventure, was released on October 18, 2019. It attaches the right Switch Controller to a wheel-shaped device called the Ring-Con, which comes with the game. The left Switch Controller is attached to the player’s left thigh using a Leg Strap. This setup allows for more complex movements, such as stretching, poses, and jogging in place, compared to the Wii Fit Board. The game introduces a new character, the Ring Fit Trainee, who performs exercises to complete a role-playing adventure. The Trainee has a Ring-Con in the game that can be used to fight enemies.
The female Wii Fit trainer was shown at E3 2013 as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U when the game was announced. Series director Masahiro Sakurai said he included her because of her uniqueness and to surprise players, not for a simple novelty. Later, he announced that the male trainer would also appear as an alternate character sharing the same slot and traits as the female trainer. The Wii Fit Trainers were confirmed to return in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate alongside all previous fighters at the 2018 E3 convention.
According to US Gamer, the female Wii Fit Trainer gained a large fanbase after her introduction in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. Some online users praised her, while critics like Will Greenwald of PC Magazine and Mike Fahey of Kotaku expressed skepticism. However, some critics, such as Patricia Hernandez and Cecilia D’Anastasio, praised her inclusion, saying her uniqueness and charm made her a standout character in the games.