Today, gaming is popular amongst young and old. No longer is it exclusive to teens or husbands, nope nowadays the myriad of games really provides good clean entertainment for the entire family. Gone are the days where you sit on a couch and only exercise your thumbs, now you need to get off the couch and move around remote in hand.
According to Time magazine gaming consoles like Wii, Playstation and other active gaming consoles are actually a new form of exercise. Medical researchers are actually saying that this type of gaming is good exercise for both young and old. They also claim that these games improve social skills and sportsmanship as it promotes healthy interaction and allows you to compete with your friends. It also improves hand and eye coordination.
The biggest advantage of gaming consoles that requires motion is that it enhances weight loss. Researchers have found that children burned three times as many calories playing “active” video games versus playing traditional hand-held video games and this means that the number of obese children can decrease considerably if more children are exposed to this type of gaming, rather than sitting in front of the television or computer.
Our choice
Playstation and Xbox have also recently introduced motion technology in their gaming consoles, but for the purpose of this article we will be looking at the console that set this trend in motion – Nintendo Wii!
Wii
Wii is a gaming console from Nintendo and basically works on the principal of motion. It was released at the end of 2006 and has had great success. The remarkable features in the Wii console is the wireless controller with the remote that can be used for detecting acceleration in three dimensions and also used as the pointing device. Playing Wii requires a lot less button usage and the traditional joystick replaced with a Wiimote that requires movement to play a game. The Wii console is equipped with a Virtual Console. A virtual console lets you download the games from the older gaming systems. The Wii also has wireless connections and the Bluetooth facility which enables easy download of games. The Nintendo Wii comes with two controllers as standard: the Wiimote is a wireless device which is used for pointing and motion sensing; while the Nunchuck is an additional device that plugs into the bottom of the Wiimote to add extra directional and motion control. Recently introduced to the market is the Wireless Nunchuck, which gets rid of the connecting wire, and utilises the wireless technology that the Wii is famous for. There are even adapters to convert your existing Nunchucks into wireless versions.
The Wii gaming console and accessories are also a lot more affordable than some of its competitors.
What games are available?
For health and exercise enthusiasts:
Wii Fit is another innovation in technology that would last a lifetime. It combines stress relief, exercise, muscle training and more importantly entertainment. This game makes exercising fun and you can do it in the comfort of your own home!
The Wii Fit mainly focuses on four areas:
- Yoga: There are 15 different yoga poses with Wii Fit that allows you to measure your own centre of gravity through a balance beam and with a friendly, amiable trainer will surely help relieve stress in the process.
- Muscle Training: Muscular exercises like no other combine 15 simple games that focus on a particular muscle group that includes a Hula Hoop game to work your abdomen along with push up activities.
- Aerobic: An on-screen instructor shows you manoeuvres which you must do while standing on the balance board.
- Balance: These games aim to strengthen the vestibular that part of the body under the inner ear that controls balance and the muscles that keep you upright.
Family Fun!
Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort
These games are tons of fun and can be enjoyed by friends and family. You can play as individuals, against each other or as part of a team. The game will whisk players away to a resort that’s full of action, while introducing an unprecedented experience in physical reality. Various sports are featured like Archery, Frisbee®, Basketball, Cycling, Canoeing, Power Cruising, Table Tennis, Air Sports, Bowling, Swordplay, Golf and Wakeboarding.
The activities use the precision controls of the Wii MotionPlus accessory to help players come much closer to the physical reality of engaging in the actual sports. Every real-world action, whether it’s a perfect drive on the fairway or a slice off the course, is meant to be faithfully replicated.
Each activity has multiple fun challenges designed to keep visitors coming back for more. Basketball players might compete in a three-point shootout or jump into a three-on-three pickup game. Archery enthusiasts must aim for the bull’s-eye across ever-increasing distances and obstacles. Don’t be surprised if your muscles ache the day after you played – this is tough fun!
Family Quiz
Yes, Wii is not only for the physical but also for the brainy! Family Quiz is an exciting quiz game with board game elements and mini-games. Quiz questions on a wide variety of topics such as history, politics, physics, chemistry, mathematics, general knowledge, geography, biology and sport, some of which are accompanied by picture puzzles and video clips.
There are many other family games to choose from.
Games available from http://www.kalahari.net
What is new?
ExerBeat
This upbeat game is fun for everyone. There are 155 exercises covering 8 categories of popular exercise routines. There are even Party Fitness exercises for the kids! The workouts are easy to do and the Wiimote must be moved to keep the beat.
The game also features instructors who give you helpful insight and exercise tips, making you feel like you’re working out with a real live trainer! This game is also ideal for game nights as friends and family members can compete for the highest score per exercise, whether by simultaneously playing side-by-side, or comparing results on ranking boards.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
This game is for someone who likes adventure and fantasy and will most likely also leave you feeling well exercised afterward.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword boasts the most realistic sword combat of any game to date, turning every encounter into a challenge of both brains and brawn. Wii MotionPlus technology accurately translates the angle of every sword slice, effectively putting Link’s blade in the player’s hand. The game is also packed with interesting information and puzzles and will be a great addition to any gaming collection.
Visit http://www.kalahari.net to read about other games that are available in 2011.
No comments on this post yet.