Wii Warm Up: The price of fitness

by David Hinkle { Apr 16th 2008 at 9:00AM }

We were thinking about the confirmation yesterday that Wii Fit would be setting you back $90. That's a pretty hefty sum, if you ask us. Is it too hefty for you all, though? We've made a poll here for you to weigh in.

Gallery: Wii Fit

Tags: exercise, exergaming, fitness, health, wii-fit, wiifit

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Mr Khan @ Apr 16th 2008 9:07AM

Its a fine price to sell for, though too much for me for now

When i see more tangible support for the Balance Board, it will be well worth the cost

kevin @ Apr 16th 2008 9:12AM

I agree - it's too much for me right now given that there really isn't much you can do with it yet. I'll pick it up down the road if the price drops enough to make a novelty purchase worth it, or if there's a killer game that supports it.

Mike D @ Apr 16th 2008 9:23AM

$90 is a high price tag, but I really think you're going to get a whole lot out of this game. Maybe I'm just too big a geek but I really want to see how well this balance board works.

Steve @ Apr 16th 2008 9:25AM

Remember - you're getting it for £20 ($40) cheaper than us over in the UK.

I'm buying it - so i don't know what you're all complaining about!

SpinachConvention @ Apr 16th 2008 10:52AM

Darn.... someone beat me to the obligatory "things are sooooo much more expensive in Europe and especially the UK"

:)

TheWarlock @ Apr 16th 2008 1:08PM

After about 900,689,204 comments [european] stating how ridiculously overpriced things are there, I think we ALL know that every single time theres a post about a game in Europe, there will be at least ONE person claiming needlessly how overpriced things are.~~hint hint~~ Give it a rest.

yooper1019 @ Apr 16th 2008 9:29AM

Let's have a poll and ask mainly poor, broke gamers if a game needs to be cheaper. There should have been a fourth option asking if it should be free.

jtedesco33 @ Apr 16th 2008 9:31AM

My question for the people that are going to get this is: do you really think it's going to help you slim up?

I just can't see any reason in getting this unless a good game comes out that uses it. if you want to slim up do some push ups, go running outside, those things are both free and actually work.

samfish @ Apr 16th 2008 9:37AM

There have already been reports of people losing weight with Wii Fit.
Off the top of my head, Bashcraft at Kotaku and someone over at 4CR have both lost about 10 lbs.

Besides that, even if this serves only to help people stay motivated to get in shape and they change just a few of their unhealthy lifestyle habits as a result, that's a good thing.
Here's the funny thing about fitness and exercise...when people see they're actually getting results, they generally continue to maintain an exercise regimen.

TheCoats @ Apr 16th 2008 12:04PM

i agree that its about motivation.......i am not out-of-shape and i work out 4 times a week but i wouldn't mind having extra motivation to maybe make it 6 days a week and keep it more steady and balanced......IDK just my opinion

samfish @ Apr 16th 2008 9:33AM

I don't think it's too much...although I wouldn't have complained if it was $80 bucks instead.

Shit, people buy Guitar Hero and don't complain about the price and you can't do anything else with it's accessory. Especially the Wii version as it's just a freakin' shell that the Wiimote plugs into!
So yeah...compared to GH, I find all the whining about Wii Fit's price to be absurd, doubly so when you take into account the technology in the Wii fit board vs a GH guitar.

TheCoats @ Apr 16th 2008 12:05PM

better example rock band with its horrible easy-to-break periphials

Vinnk @ Apr 17th 2008 5:49AM

That someone from 4cr was me. If anyone is interested in seeing my experiences with Wii Fit, go here:

www.4colorrebellion.com/wii-fit

splazzatch @ Apr 16th 2008 9:35AM

Before I buy it, I want to know two serious questions. 1. What other games will it support? Second, I weigh 250 pounds, If I step on it, will it break? (Yes I am serious.....why are you laughing....stop making the fat kid cry...That's it....I'm going to eat a tub of Ben and Jerry's)

splict @ Apr 16th 2008 9:59AM

The japanese balance board supports 300lbs and the american version was beefed up to support 330lbs. you can find links to sources on the wikipedia page.

Lucky @ Apr 16th 2008 9:46AM

Let's not forget that in Europe, or at least in Finland, certain DS games cost the equilavent of 90 bucks.

Lucy @ Apr 16th 2008 10:35AM

Since it's a peripheral people are expected to STAND on, I don't mind it being a little more expensive if they can make it REALLY REALLY WELL.

mgroves @ Apr 16th 2008 11:24AM

This device really isn't for "us", so it doesn't matter to me what they are selling it for.

ejamer @ Apr 16th 2008 11:36AM

The price sounds high, but isn't bad when you realize that a solid piece of extra hardware is included with the game. A $90 asking price for Wii Fit seems reasonable after you subtract the cost of a Wii remote.

Although the games are aimed at different target markets, Samfish really hit the nail on the head with his Guitar Hero comparison. At least the Wii Balance Board doesn't require any additional hardward and *might* end up being used in other games!

Wii Fit won't be worth buying for everyone, but any Wii owner looking for a fun and simple fitness tool that encourages a more healthy lifestyle could do much worse than investing their money here.

Dan Gross @ Apr 16th 2008 11:59AM

That seems about the going rate for Game+"Controller" type games (Guitar Hero, DDR, etc). From the reviews I've seen, the "game" stands up well (holds up to several hours of "gamplay"), if that's your type of thing, so I don't see why one would expect something more akin to a WiiPlay type of price. That this, unlike GH and DDR, has a "controller" that has potential use beyond this one game only adds to the argument for the price point. Further, given the numbers so far where it has been released, I think it's a smart starting price point from a business perspective. As Yooper said, given the option, people will always prefer playing less, but from an all-around perspective I think it's a reasonable starting point.

TheWarlock @ Apr 16th 2008 12:24PM

Wow, I am a bit suprised about the poll results...

SoshiKitai @ Apr 16th 2008 12:59PM

No, it's not too expensive.

-How's THAT for brevity?

TheWarlock @ Apr 16th 2008 1:11PM

Darn you! you beat my [it was supposed to be a signal to all people how short their comments should be, even though, on a regular basis my comments are unbelievably freaking long] brevity word count! *I did 10 words, you did 9*

Sonic_13 @ Apr 16th 2008 1:28PM

I would have preferred around $75, but I still plan on picking it up when it comes out, especially after hearing about recent playtests at the media summit.

Chris @ Apr 16th 2008 2:17PM

I hate when people say "I could care less" instead of "I couldn't care less."

It's incorrect and makes you sound stupid. :(

hvnlysoldr @ Apr 16th 2008 2:37PM

All polls should have a crazy poll breaking option like L-Block and Do a Barrel Roll. Ooh can we do a Wii Warm Up with favorite nonsensical quotes.

TheOverlord#2(Toon Link FTW)(1461-5875-9923) @ Apr 16th 2008 3:07PM

Long live Joystiq's Mario Paint RickRoll on April Fools!

TheOverlord#2(Toon Link FTW)(1461-5875-9923) @ Apr 16th 2008 2:42PM

It's a great deal but I don't have the money to buy it.(Game= $50, Board= $40)

Being 15 when games are constantly coming out sucks xD
I patched together Christmas and Birthday money and i'm getting MKWii & Okami.(Obviously I got Brawl already)

Mike D @ Apr 17th 2008 10:38AM

Wait till your 24 and married with a career and don't have time to play games. Got the money, not the time :(

CPFace @ Apr 16th 2008 4:19PM

I still remember paying $80 for a set of Dreamcast Maracas back in the day, game sold separately. It sold me on the idea of video games that you play by moving around, and led directly to my excitement regarding the Wii.

I enjoy traditional exercise, and I've always thought it would be cool to get it integrated into a video game somehow. And this game seems to be bringing forth some cool ideas. I heard impressions about a bit where you jog in place, and a Wii remote in your pocket acts as a pedometer, and as you jog, you can see your Mii going for a jog through a virtual park.

Anyway. $90 is a stiff price for a video game, but I think the experience will be worth it.

MidnightScott @ Apr 16th 2008 7:07PM

It does need to be cheaper because it was only $70 in Japan at retail. The rest of the world has to pay alot, Europe is paying $140 for it :O

I still pre ordered it today knowing that it's stuck at $90 because Nintendo is being a ripoff!

Tyler @ Apr 16th 2008 7:13PM

The price is fine. I'm just not buying one at this time. I'd love WiiFit, but I have prom this month AND next. So I can't afford anything at the moment. I'd rather pay $90 for something that will keep me in shape instead of a Guitar Hero.

crazypenguin @ Apr 16th 2008 9:39PM

like no offence...i'm not sure if this game will be a hit to americans. i thought the idea was that the wii is a cheap solution...how is this cheap? i don't really see the average parents who think that an xbox 360 is expensive and the wii is cheap will be thinking this game is worth its price... i think they may be pushing it because of how well guitar hero does in pricing. honestly if the board costs 40 dollars (i'm asuming since its not that great of a piece of technology) you are telling me wii fit the game costs 50? thats crazy. fix the price, please! i'm not getting it unless they decide to do a dramatic price drop to 70 or 60.