Back in July of 2009 Krystalle wrote up a review of the game Personal Trainer : Walking for the Nintendo DS. Having used the product myself I can say it’s a really neat way to motivate yourself to go out and walk if you like video games, and the ability to communicate with your Nintendo Wii to download an avatar was an awesome feature. The only real “criticism” I had of the game was that all of the motivation took place after you were done walking. There wasn’t really anything built into the game itself to make your walks interesting and you are only entertained for the few minutes it takes you to upload your step records every night.
Games like EA Sports Active and Wii Fit are fine ways to get exercise indoors, but they can be very daunting for people who haven’t been doing any kind of exercise. Walking is really the best way to get going when you’ve been sedentary for a long time, and Konami has come up with a new way to get you walking and entertain you at the same time.
Step To The Beat is a new title for the Nintendo Wii that will be released in March of 2010 (Please note : The link to the Konami site indicates that the name of the game is “Walk It Out,” but the press release we received earlier this week referred to it as “Step to the Beat.” I can only assume they have recently decided to change the name but have not updated their main web site yet). The premise of the game is pretty simple. You use the nunchuck controller with any number of optional accessories (including the Wii Balance Board and Dance Dance Revolution Dance Pads) to walk to the beat of over 100 popular songs. In the process you earn musical notes that allow you to purchase items in-game to customize your avatar and his or her home. You also burn calories!
The game doesn’t look like it is going to appeal to the hardcore fitness geeks among the crowd here, but it looks like a perfect way to get started on the exercise bandwagon if you’re not currently active but are uninspired to walk around your neighborhood. Check out the video below to see Step to the Beat in action!
This is great. We love the Wii in my house, particularly the boxing and hula hoop. My husband was really good at the balance games and ski games. I also like to do the yoga moves. I haven’t had a chance to try the others out there but I am looking forward to it soon. thanks for sharing your views.
Great blog!!
DDR for the Coordination-Challenged?
I thought the same thing at first, Moses, but it seems like this is much more about stepping in time than it is about stepping in a particular pattern. It just lets you use the DDR dance pad if you own one.