Nintendo’s exercise game Wii Fit has sold over 2 million copies in Japan. I can only guess that this success is due to the already fit (well, more fit than us) nation’s desire to be even more healthy. But it seems that Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto feels that the success might be due to its design as a family game. And, as American families aren’t necessarily known for their cohesiveness, Miyamoto is worried about the title’s success here.
When CNET’s Crave asked Miyamoto what he expected the American response to this game would be, he expressed concern over our high divorce rate.
Miyamoto noted that on average, American families are apart more often than those in Japan. A lot of families have parents who have separated or divorced, so it’s tougher to predict the role family will play in the American response to Wii Fit.
Personally, I don’t see what a gamer’s family situation has to do with game acceptance. Only one person can play most of the Wii Fit games on the board at one time, right? If anything, I’d place more worry on our lazy American lifestyle. Dysfunctional family or not, we don’t like to get off the couch!
The CNET article also mentions some kind of possible interaction between the DS and Wii Fit. We could see a fitness tracker or calorie counter in the future. Miyamoto also hints at the possibility of a new Pikmin game. I’d take some new Olimar action over exercise any day!
What do you think? Will America accept Wii Fit? Or will they join me in couch-based plant-animal strategy action?
Published: Apr 22, 2008 11:21 am