We're always wary to talk numbers and Europe in the same breath, mostly because numbers over there don't mean the same as they do here. "One pound is a half kilogram? What does that even mean?" Luckily for us, there's no way to misconstrue the fact that the Wii is now the best-selling console in Europe this generation.
The European chapter of the Wii Defense Force is popping the bubbly now, we imagine, celebrating the 30 million Wii consoles in the region as of 2011's end. New console bundles brought a new "value Wii" into the region, The PS3 isn't far behind, however, with reports of over 22 million consoles sold at the end of August. But, the Wii figure looks even better when compared to the GameCube, which sold 4.7 million throughout its five year lifetime in Europe and Australia, combined.
On the peripheral front, Nintendo's also got robust sales figures for its Wii Balance Board and its bundled titles, Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus, to celebrate. 22.67 million copies of Wii Fit and 19.31 million copies of Wii Fit Plus have been sold worldwide.
Tech developer Impulse Technology -- that name sound familiar? -- has filed a lawsuit against Nintendo and a score of third-party studios, accusing them of violating a 1996 patent for an "interactive system for measuring physiological exertion." The suit is largely based on the weight-tracking Wii Balance Board (and the games which use it, like Wii Fit Plus, Zumba Fitness 2 and UFC Personal Trainer), which Impulse claims too closely resemble its own Trazer Interactive Fitness machine.
Normally, we'd scoff at such a lawsuit, especially since Impulse leveraged almost the exact same claims against Microsoft for its Kinect hardware this past July. Still, take a look at the Trazer Interactive Fitness machine, seen above. The resemblance truly is uncanny, right?
#wii
I have a Wii Balance Board. I have not used it for years. Maybe things would be different if there were more games for it. Maybe things would be different if it came in a different color—like black. More »
For years, you've been left out of the Wii Fit craze. Not because you're unwilling to put in the requisite physical effort, but because the Balance Board simply doesn't match the sleek black lines of your entertainment center. In a month, that all comes to an end - in the UK, at least - as Nintendo will soon release a black Wii Fit Plus console bundle, which looks retail for £99.99 ($155), though Zavvi.com has it listed for £73.85 ($114).
Arriving October 7, the bundle includes a black Wii console with Wii Remote Plus, a black Balance Board and a copy of Wii Fit Plus. And, as an added bonus, new Balance Board adopters can soon belatedly take part in another fad: Never using the Balance Board again.
We've contacted Nintendo to see if the new bundle is headed to North America as well.
DC Universe Online flew into Chart-Track's UK sales chart this week and nipped a spot in the top ten. The PS3 and PC superhero simulator debuted in tenth place and, according to Chart-Track, is only the fourth retail title on PS3 to be online-only. The other internet-required games are MAG, Warhawk and SOCOM: US Navy Seals Confrontation.
The rest of the top ten is composed of the usual suspects playing musical chairs. Call of Duty: Black Ops is back on top, followed by FIFA 11 and the unstoppable Just Dance 2. Speaking of dance games, Harmonix's Dance Central is eyeing a spot in the top ten as it moves from 17 to 12 this week.
#helenmirren
Ever wonder why Dame Helen Mirren agreed to appear in upcoming Wii ads? Maybe she likes the Wii. But maybe it was the two-day commercial shoot and the very hefty paycheck. Ka-ching! More »
Helen Mirren caused a ruckus a couple years back by wearing a bikini while under the influence of around 63 years of life. She'll soon profit on that nigh-inhuman feat by demoing Wii Fit Plus in a series of British Nintendo ads slated to run this holiday season. Considering the timing, we suspect she will not be wearing a bikini ... or perhaps she'll just choose a very festive one.
Videogamer.com reports on several other highly British-sounding celebrities that will join her in the campaign, but we refuse to believe any of them are real people.
#shigerumiyamoto
Shigeru Miyamoto is a video game pioneer. He entered the industry in 1977 and has been instrumental in changing the way we play games. He knows where we've been, but does he know where we are going? More »
Nintendo's Wii Games competition has officially begun. All this weekend, NY/NJ residents can visit Liberty State Park to partake in the tournament, and get free swag -- including custom-designed t-shirts. To celebrate the launch of the nationwide event, Nintendo threw a parade, and started the games by sponsoring a heated match between the Mario brothers ... in a game of Wii Fit Plus Hula-Hoop.
While the games showcased at the event were mostly comprised of Nintendo's fitness titles, there were a few hidden surprises, including the NES Super Mario Bros. 3 and WiiWare's World of Goo. With free games (and free AC!), the competition is certainly worth checking out, especially if it manages to make its way to your area.
Here at Joystiq, there's only one thing we value above video games: your health. And we were beginning to get worried about you specifically, Australia -- that is, until we heard you guys were trying to trim those love handles.
Nintendo of Australia has announced it's managed to sell one million copies of Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus (including the balance board). And while Oz isn't necessarily one of the fattest countries out there, according to a World Health Organization study back in 2007 (via Forbes), its people aren't exactly the benchmark for healthy living, either.
But hey, you gotta start somewhere and we're just glad you guys have taken that first step towards healthy living. If you're looking to build upon Nintendo's workout program, let us know. We'll let you borrow our Sweatin' to the Oldies tapes.
#shigerumiyamoto
Shigeru Miyamoto has created a plethora of game characters and games. Many of his ideas come from his hobbies. He has expressed his desire in making an all-new character. That could mean an all new game. But what? More »
Apparently everybody was paying taxes last month instead of buying games, because despite analysts' expectations, sales for April were way down. As you can see below, sales dropped out on every single console that NPD tracked during April, with the Wii taking the biggest hit, down 50 percent from March. Hardware sales overall fell by 37 percent.
Software sales didn't do any better -- Splinter Cell Conviction was a bright spot and Super Street Fighter IV just barely made the list (which you can find after the break), but otherwise it was all leftovers from March and previous months. NPD reports that last month's 11 percent industry drop-off was the "worst year-over-year decline...since July '09, and the fourth largest year-over-year percentage decline ever." The industry got rained on -- here's hoping April showers bring some May flowers.
-DS: 441K260K (-37%) -Wii: 277K 281K (-50%) -360: 185K 153K (-45%) -PS3: 181K 133K (-42%) -PSP: 66K 54K (-44%) -PS2 sales are no longer being tracked by NPD -- goodbye, old friend.
See the top 10 games after the break. Sales figures for the games ranked six through 10 were withheld by NPD for unstated reasons.
If lifestyle software like Wii Fit Plus is truly "evergreen," selling for long periods of time beyond the normal sales cycle, then we suppose it follows that its marketing can be evergreen as well. Which is why Nintendo can hold "Wii Fit Plus Demo Days" at GameStops across the U.S. now, even though Wii Fit Plus was released in October 2009.
If you're curious about, say, the ridiculous Bird's Eye Bulls-Eye event, or the ability to create workout routines, you can go to one of the 100 participating stores between 1-4pm on April 25 or May 2 and try it out for yourself.
Was it something we said? No sooner does Nintendo close the book on the two-year-old Anascape suit than does the prolific peripheral manufacturer get slapped with another legal challenge. Gamasutra has obtained documentation of a lawsuit filed against Nintendo, on April 2, by exergaming company InterAction Laboratories, a.k.a. IA Labs, a.k.a. Powergrid Fitness, for alleged patent infringement.
In typical dramatic legalese, the suit cries out that IA Labs has been "irreparably harmed" by Nintendo's violation of two of its patents through a long list of Wii products. Here goes: the Wii system itself and its primary controllers, the Wiimote and the Nunchuk, and the MotionPlus add-on; Wii Fit, its expansion pack, Wii Fit Plus and its peripheral, the Balance Board; and the Wii Zapper. Phew! Are we forgetting anything?
Oh, yes -- the Wii Wheel. Uh-huh, that circular piece of plastic is allegedly in violation of either (1) "Computer interactive isometric exercise system and method for operatively interconnecting the exercise system to a computer system for use as a peripheral" or (2) "Force measurement system for an isometric exercise device." IA Labs claims that these two patents are used in a number of its products, including the Kilowatt Sport and Exer-Station controller. Both have won an award at separate CES events.
If you're real up on your Wii peripheral pitches, you will recall the Sqweeze, a ThighMaster-esque device for your hands, developed by IA Labs and introduced in late 2008. While a PC version appears to be available, the Wii iteration never made it to market, perhaps evidence that the relationship between IA Labs and Nintendo soured long ago. Documentation from the recent suit reveals emails from 2007-2008 between the two companies, which had once been in talks for IA Labs to license its technology to Nintendo.
Nintendo and Target are teaming up for the "Wii Fit Plus Experience," which is apparently an elaborate version of the Sports Authority experience with prizes. Across the United States' lower latitudes, visitors to the experience, which will be held in the parking lot or entrance of the stores between January 16-31, will gain (/groan) "feet-on" time with Wii Fit Plus.
Those who complete the Wii Fit Plus demo will receive a $15 gift card (while supplies last), which "can be applied toward any Target purchase." Therefore, we recommend humoring the Nintendo "ambassadors" working the kiosks. Gratefully take that gift card and blow it on junk food -- then get time-lapse coverage of all that junk food going straight to your ever-expanding butt and post it on YouTube. The locations holding the Wii Fit Plus Experience can be found after the break.
Somewhere between the jockstraps and gun racks, The Sports Authority will begin selling Wii and Wii Fit Plus in select stores. Company President David Campisi says, "Sports Authority recognized that the Wii console is a product that can help you stay active and have fun with your family at the same time, which is why the retail partnership with Nintendo is a perfect fit." Meanwhile, the American Council on Exercise finds the actual benefits of Wii Fit "underwhelming."
But, forget the ACE telling us that doing the real-world versions of Wii Fit exercises is healthier, Sports Authority has a multi-million unit selling console and excercise program to sell! Who cares if it actually works -- or people use it? Sports Authority has sold plenty of products over the years to people looking to get healthy, and parents whose kids want to try a new sport, which then get used a few times and exist afterward as dust collectors 'til the end of days.
Did you upgrade to Wii Fit Plus so you can stay in shape over the holidays? While some may question the validity of a Wii Fit "workout," premium water company Hint is trying to capitalize on the craze by offering all purchasers of Nintendo's latest fitness title a free case of water. A standalone copy of Wii Fit Plus costs $20, while a 12-pack of Hint water costs $22, making this quite the "deal."According to its official website, "Hint is a pure healthy water lightly infused with natural flavors. Unsweetened. Lightly flavored. No calories." If you're into that sort of thing, you can send in a digital scan of your Wii Fit Plus receipt to hintwater@5wpr.com. You'll be able to choose from one of the following flavors: Blackberry, Watermelon, Pomegranate Tangerine, Mango Grapefruit or Raspberry Lime.
Wii Fit Plus has taken the top spot in the UK during its second week of release, according to Chart Track. The excellent Dragon Age: Origins premiered in fifth place, behind Wii Fit Plus, Wii Sports Resort and two football games. No surprises there!Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time premiered at the 22nd spot, which is a weaker debut than we had anticipated for the titular duo's final(ish) outing. It'll likely have a stronger showing in the US, though we'll have to wait for the NPD results to see if it lands in the top ten. Source -- A fitting No1 [Chart Track] Source -- All formats chart [Chart Track]
With the major pound-packing holidays bearing down on us at breakneck speed, we thought it prudent to help a few of you shed those unwanted love handles with a free copy of Wii Fit Plus. Are you game? See below for how to enter -- best of luck!
Leave a comment telling us whether or not you actively exercise
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec)
Limit 1 entry per person per day
This entry period ends at 11:59AM ET on Wednesday, November 11
At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive Wii Fit Plus for the Nintendo Wii ($20 ARV) and a Wii Fit Plus workout shirt ($20 ARV)
For a list of complete rules, click here
Another football game came out in the UK last week and, once again, it came in first place in the region's weekly software sales charts. This time around, the game was Football Manager 2010, in which soccer isn't played, but rather, managed. That's far too boring a concept to discuss further, so instead, let's move to the other big debuts: Wii Fit Plus, for instance, came in second place for the week, which is -- wait a minute. Doesn't Wii Fit Plus have a "Soccer Heading" minigame? Oh, Nintendo. You know exactly what you're doing. Episodes From Liberty City and Tekken 6 also made a splash during their launch week, garnering sixth and eighth place finishes, respectively. However, DJ Hero seems to be following its expected, slow-starting sales trajectory, debuting at twentieth place in last week's chart. We've got a small suggestion for FreeStyle Games to improve the rhythm title's performance in the UK: Needs moar Dizzee Rascal. Source -- Sega's FM 2010 Kicks Off at No1 [Chart Track] Source -- All formats chart [Chart Track]
As we approach the colder months of the year here at Joystiq HQ, we like to fool ourselves by picking up the latest Wiinovations in the world of game-based exercise equipment, knowing wholeheartedly that they'll never end up getting much use. This year, however, we figured we would extend that same ideological principle to you. We hope that your moral certitude will employ Wii Fit Plus and Active Life Extreme Challenge (it's totally extreme) more than we would! We'll be picking a winner for this enticing exercise pack at random from the folks who comment below -- all you have to do is tell us your favorite exercise fad of all time. Get those finger muscles moving!
Leave a comment telling us your favorite exercise fad of all time.
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec, largely due to Celine Dion)
Limit 1 entry per person per day
This entry period ends at 2:31PM ET on Monday, November 2
At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive a copy of Wii Fit Plus ($20 ARV) and Active Life Extreme Challenge ($60 ARV)
For a list of complete rules, click here
Joyswag: Get your exercise on with Wii Fit Plus & Active Life Extreme Challenge originally appeared on Nintendo Wii Fanboy on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments Ads by Google
The Change 4 Life ad campaign gathered early attention with the shocking connection between sedentary activities like games and "AN EARLY DEATH." Then it softened the message a bit with the more positive suggestion that "active" video games would be a healthy move. Now, the initiative is getting its exercise with vigorous backpedaling, as it will actually endorse a video game, giving permission to use its logo in advertising. Of course, that game is Wii Fit Plus."We are thrilled that active videogames are finally being recognised by the Government for contributing to a healthy, balanced lifestyle," ELSPA's Mike Rawlinson said. Rawlinson revealed that ELSPA has been working with the UK government since the first Change 4 Life ad to get some fairer recognition for games, and apparently the Change 4 Life folks finally got tired of hearing about it came to their senses.
As we approach the colder months of the year here at Joystiq HQ, we like to fool ourselves by picking up the latest Wiinovations in the world of game-based exercise equipment, knowing wholeheartedly that they'll never end up getting much use. This year, however, we figured we would extend that same ideological principle to you. We hope that your moral certitude will employ Wii Fit Plus and Active Life Extreme Challenge (it's totally extreme) more than we would! We'll be picking a winner for this enticing exercise pack at random from the folks who comment below -- all you have to do is tell us your favorite exercise fad of all time. Get those finger muscles moving!
Leave a comment telling us your favorite exercise fad of all time.
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec, largely due to Celine Dion)
Limit 1 entry per person per day
This entry period ends at 2:31PM ET on Monday, November 2
At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive a copy of Wii Fit Plus ($20 ARV) and Active Life Extreme Challenge ($60 ARV)
For a list of complete rules, click here
