Nintendo snubs gamers over 330 lbs.
by Candace Savino 
{ May 30th 2008 at 8:00PM }
For people who bought the game only to find that they're too fat for it, Jill Callahan of NoA recently said, "If this is a product that can not currently be used in your home, you may wish to investigate a possible return of the product to the retailer where you purchased it. Or perhaps you would like to give it as a gift to someone you know who would enjoy it. I hope you find these suggestions helpful." Yikes, can you imagine the humiliation of returning Wii Fit because you're too fat? And the only other alternative Nintendo has to offer is giving someone a $90 gift? Gee, we're sure that helpful advice is really appreciated.
We're not blaming Nintendo for their inability to have the Balance Board support over 330 lbs., and labeling the box to say so makes it the consumer's own fault for buying it. But Callahan's response? That's just cold, especially in light of the philosophy behind Wii Fit. Instead, why not tell these gamers to use Wii Fit's weight limit as motivation to reach the game's supported weight level? Anything's better than the "tough luck, we don't care" line.
[Via GoNintendo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Spencer @ May 30th 2008 8:08PM
at the 330+ line, honestly? if it's not obesity you're tall enough / broadly built enough to be used to those kinds of limitations.
If it is obesity... then honestly? tough luck and frankly I'm happy they got snubbed.
stanuel @ May 31st 2008 4:40PM
It'd be so much better if when someone over 350lbs stepped on the pad it would start screaming "AAAH!! GET OFF ME, MAN!! AHH! I CAN'T BREATHE!!" I would totally gain 200lbs and buy one.
Roto13 @ May 30th 2008 8:21PM
Her response was nicer than my "Cram it up your ass" response would be. I can't think of any nicer way to brush people off for being stupid. It says the weight limit right on the box. What's Nintendo supposed to do? Offer refunds?
Tom @ May 30th 2008 8:56PM
My thoughts exactly. If you're honestly over 330 pounds and it's due to fatness, not muscle, then you shouldn't even lie to yourself by thinking Wii Fit could turn your troubles around.
Roto13 @ May 30th 2008 8:59PM
Those aren't my thoughts at all.
FantomRedux @ May 30th 2008 9:57PM
*sniff* *sniff* Is that a burn I smell?
Sorry, I've been dieing to have a chance to say that somewhere:)
BananaBoat @ May 31st 2008 4:07AM
Some don't seem to realize that most people buying this thing are doing so because it looks fun, and not as a serious workout regime. All of the reviews have said that this thing is no substitute for a serious workout in the gym. So saying that fat people shouldn't be allowed to have fun, just because they are fat, is more than just a little bit ignorant. That said, if it's labeled right there on the box, then noone has any complaining to do.
If you are 330 pounds, and you are south of....hell....6 foot 8? You need a more intense workout than the Wii Fit is going to offer you. I feel for your inability to play Wii Fit, since it seems like there might be some fun to be had there...but....gah...330 is a HIGH limit. More than reasonable.
Kai Cherry @ May 31st 2008 8:48PM
I continue to marvel at the notion that Wii Fit isn't a "real workout"...
Typical Western BIGGERFASTERMOREMOREMORE 'logic'...which is why we are so filled up with fat asses.
Let me tell you something: In my eleven days with Wii Fit, I've lost enough weight to move from a couple clicks over the Obese line into the Overweight category.
I don't have a gym membership, because gyms are filled with condescending pricks. If I had one, I would NOTY be there, and *certainly not* Every Single Day or Someone Is Going To Get Hurt Gimmie My Wii Fit.
Any fool that doesn't think Yoga and Pushups and Rhythm Boxing and whatnot for 45min - 1.5 hours a day for someone in their late 30s and packing fat over 220lb hasn't used it.
The notion that all Wii Fit is is "leaning" is the most retarded thing I've seen in the "reviews" that stat it isn't a real workout.
*sigh*
I wish Wii Fit *DID* work for people over 330...because I think it would benefit them.
It is likely tho that Ninty decided that they didn't want an overzealous player falling out on them :)
Lily @ May 30th 2008 11:12PM
Ah, I love how fat people just can't win. "Lose weight, you lazy slobs!" "But not with this! You don't deserve to. I'm happy you can't play this game!" Hmm. It seems a little bit contradictory.
I also love how many of the posts online about this issue seem to imply that people over 330 pounds probably can't get out of bed or something. That demonstrates a fair amount of ignorance of human weight ranges. (Maybe because most people lie about their weight.) Trust me, you probably know several people who are right around the 330 mark, and they can sit in chairs without breaking them, fit into movie seats, hike mountains, and generally move around like normal human beings. (At least, if they're not really short.)
Also, note to NWFB: The Balance Board ITSELF can handle up to 600 pounds. For whatever reason, the Wii Fit producers inexplicably chose to limit the game itself.
Spencer @ May 30th 2008 11:24PM
probbly because, when balanced, it can handle that much, but all that weight can be put on one single sensor at any given time in game play, and they're not likely to hold up well over time at that.
And I'm not saying they can't exercise, or whatever I'm just saying that nintendo had to draw the line somewhere, and 330's more than broad enough scope to appeal to as many people as humanly possible before we'd be looking at more expensive / sturdier / larger devices. was probably a calculated cost / weight supported decision, and anyone that is that upset by it, honestly needs to get over it...Sorry
decadeofevil @ May 30th 2008 11:18PM
well im 6'6 and go about 350 (not obese just a big guy)and kinda wanted to try this out but not if im gunna break it
Joop @ May 30th 2008 11:39PM
Why not see it as extra motivation to lose the weight? Personally, I think it's pretty sad that "playing a video game" would be more motivation to lose weight than, oh say, your general health and well being, but hey, whatever works.
Marcelo @ May 30th 2008 11:59PM
You completely misunderstand the obese mind. If you're 150 pounds overweight, when you think of your "general health and well being" you see an insurmountable mountain - you have to lose all 150 of those pounds to be healthy. But it's the banality of "playing a video game" that makes Wii Fit's workout approachable. It's not about losing 150 pounds, it's about spending time doing something that's fun, which has the extra benefit of helping you lose weight, a small interval at a time.
It's REALLY hard to break the pattern of gaining weight and being ashamed of it, then becoming demoralized and discouraged, which causes you to make bad decisions which leads to more weight gain. And the more you gain, the harder it is to think about your general health and well-being, because 150 pounds is a LOT further away than, say, 20 pounds. But I can totally see why Wii Fit would make that more accessible to someone.
Dan Davis @ May 31st 2008 12:18AM
Hey, even treadmills have weight limits...
This is a good "first step" for the obese, as it is very low impact and seems to be a great way to ease into a fitness plan.
Abscissa @ May 31st 2008 12:47AM
Wow, didn't realize so many Nintendo gamers were such douchebags. Kinda makes me ashamed to be part of the Nintendo scene.
raindog @ May 31st 2008 12:43AM
Anyone have a link to the final retail box art? If the disclaimer isn't on the front of the box, there are many places you won't be able to see the disclaimer before buying it.
For that matter, even if it is on the front of the box, you probably won't get the disclaimer on the little card at Toys'R'Us or at most online sites. At the time I typed this, amazon.com included it in their description (actually undershooting it at 300lbs.) but bestbuy.com and walmart.com didn't. Gamestop.com and target.com didn't even have it listed, probably because it's out of stock.
If the pictures at walmart.com are correct, the disclaimer is NOT on the front of the box. Given Nintendo's "let 'em eat cake" PR on this, I could easily imagine the fat-rights people starting some kind of class action lawsuit, assuming there's such a thing as fat-rights people.
Finally, for what it's worth, I think the reason Nintendo is so cavalier about it right now is that if you have Wii Fit and can't use it, you can sell it for almost double its purchase price on ebay. So the only people who are unlikely to have recourse are the people who bought it at inflated prices on ebay, can't return it and wait too long to resell it.
Candace Savino @ May 31st 2008 9:23PM
I was looking on the box of my copy of Wii Fit. I looked for about a minute and gave up trying to find anything about a weight limit. Maybe I have terrible eyes (and I've always been bad at "Where's Waldo" and that sort of thing), but yeah, the information doesn't seem readily apparent.
Sonic_13 @ May 31st 2008 12:51AM
I'm not sure why Nintendo's statement is considered "cold". Were they supposed to just come out and say "Sorry, but you're too fat to use our game."? I think it was properly worded and not "tough luck, we don't care".
If Nintendo did what Callahan suggests by telling people that they need to lose weight and encouraging them to do so (especially over the phone where they can't actually see the customer) would likely offend a lot of people.
Nintendo's statement was the proper way to go.
Covarr @ May 31st 2008 2:10AM
Considering that Wii Fit's 330lb limit is much higher than some scales I've seen which max out at 250lb, people shouldn't be complaining.
CJLopez @ May 31st 2008 3:17AM
Oh come on!!!! you gotta be kidding me
I'm already nearly the 150 kg, i'm 196 cm tall, and I'm not that fat, I just have really strong and heavy bones, mostly my legs ones, and some muscles.
I had talked to some docs, and they had told me that if I get to do some excerse i'll be hitting the 140 limit even if I reduce the fat, just because of the ammount of muscles I have.
So, no WiiFit for me, whats else, no board, man, that pisses me off
Tom @ May 31st 2008 8:23AM
Wait if you are nearly 150 kg then you should be perfectly fine to use the Wii Fit for whatever reason. Nearly 150 = less than and that means you are under the suggested max weight.
CJLopez @ May 31st 2008 5:02PM
Well, i guess, but, i don't want to spend 90 bucks on something I won't be able to use just because I had a really big body, i'd rather spend it on something else
CatEater @ May 31st 2008 4:56AM
And I suppose if they built it to support 500 lbs they wouldn't be sued when someone didn't get their doctor's advice and had a heart attack on it?
Someone 330+ needs a doctor, nutritionist, and personal trainer (and likely a psychologist)... not a fitness video game. The best part is, these people will start blaming their obesity on wii fit. Did the wii fit you can't use make you eat that half gallon of ice cream?
Kai Cherry @ May 31st 2008 8:52PM
People like YOU is why Wii Fit is selling so well.
I wouldn't want to be anywhere NEAR YOU if I was trying to begin a fitness lifestyle change.
Almadi @ May 31st 2008 8:43AM
ahem, fat people dont read the calorie and fat content on food labels. I dont think they will read the 330 lb label on the wiifit box.
Brucie B @ May 31st 2008 9:29AM
Sorry, But put that donut down, & Get Your FAT AZZ in the Gym!
Problem Solved!
Alistair @ May 31st 2008 11:13AM
One of my friends stepped on our Balance Board last night and Wii Fit said 'Eek! You're too heavy!' He's 6'7" though, so although he's definitely heavier than he should be, it's not like he's horribly obese.
d.mo @ May 31st 2008 11:45AM
Somebody who has a problem with Wii Fit's weight limit shouldn't see that as an insult but motivation.
If you are more than 330 (and not proportionally balanced, i.e. very tall) then work on losing the extra weight on your own knowing that using Wii Fit is close to becoming reality.
I've been there so I know. I was nearly 300 lbs., now 229 lbs. and plan on reaching my goal of 200 or less by next year. By the time I'm done I will have lost over 100 lbs., and Wii Fit is definitely a change in my normal routine of walking and other exercising.
It's possible. It just takes time.
Dave
http://200by40.wordpress.com
edwashere @ May 31st 2008 9:24PM
I bought the wii fit. I am 6'5" and weigh 390. I play semi-pro football and am a nationally ranked offensive lineman. I workout every day, I swim, I walk, I jog, I run hills and I run almost 4 miles 3x a week at football practice. My wife has 20 lbs. to lose and she goes to weight watchers every week as do I. The wii fit is an excellent way to stretch and tone your body and that is why we purchased it. It was also a way in which we could exercise at night in front of the TV after the kids go to bed. A much better idea than watching American Idol.
I am overweight, but I do not consider myself lazy and gosh you name whatever those bashers have said on here about me.
So now I must sit behind my wife and try to do the exercises while she does them, because I am not "fit" enough for the wii. Maybe in a year I will be. I found this site to see if anyone was working on a program for those of us above 330 lbs. for the Wii Fit. I am saddened by the judgemental overt anger that is expressed here by those that think I have no business wanting to use the product. We are all human -- we are all Americans. I am not less of a human than you because I weigh over 330 lbs. I don't judge you for being who you are. It seems to me that we are spending lots of time in this country right now judging one another on our race, or gender, or religion -- and yes our height and weight. Thanks Wii Fit for bringing out the best in all of us.
Candace Savino @ May 31st 2008 9:26PM
Yes, some of the responses are a little disheartening :(. I hope you don't let them get to you, though!
Comstock @ May 31st 2008 11:47AM
Uh, c'mon, tall people. If you're getting close to 350 lbs., you're pretty frickin heavy! What's with all the "I'm not obese" stuff? It sounds a lot lot denial (hey, I may drink every night, but I'm not an alcoholic). I'm 6'5" and I weigh 170. You're telling me that people my height that weigh more than TWICE as much are not obese? That's just semantics. A 350 weight limit seems totally withing the bounds of reason to me.
ShadowGod @ May 31st 2008 2:00PM
6'5" and 170 is a friggin stick. Eat.
I'm 6'1" and I've been 165 and I've been up to 320.
330 isn't "morbidly obese" for a male, especially if you're over 6'
Haohmaru @ May 31st 2008 5:43PM
You know, I didn't read Nintendo's response as "Tough luck, fatso." It seemed pretty neutral to me, in all honesty.
DoItToJulia @ Jun 1st 2008 1:03PM
Is the Two Minutes' Hate for No-Good Fat Americans over yet?
Isn't this just self-hatred/Freudian transference coming out? This is a site devoted to video games, after all. 330lbs is pretty extreme... a safe target for the less-fat-but-still-hefty couch potato crowd to make themselves feel better about their own lesser-but-still-morbid obesity.
kavorka @ Jun 1st 2008 9:06PM
I'm 6'4, 235. I'm used to not being able to use things because of size limitations (gokarts, small convertible sports cars, etc). Other giants are too, I'm sure... Nintendo can't cater to everybody- its an iron law of business. You can't please them all.
Plus, Wii Fit seems like a really stupid game, if you ask me.
/me goes play Mario Kart and Smash Bros. instead.
Joshua Smith @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:31PM
This is for all us overweight people. I've found a way to bypass thier 330 pound limit. Find someone (or something) under the lumit and have them do the initial weigh in. Then you can play all you want (on some of the game, the step game was really fun and so was the walking).
Joshua
Maria Edwards @ Jul 9th 2008 3:28PM
Wow, so many 6 ft + men here! Where have you been all my life? ;)
Seriously though, if you are that tall and of big build that the Wii Fit isn't right for you. It is a bit of a gimmick, the balancing exercises are pants - the only good ones are the yoga and muscle-building exercises (sit-ups etc), and the step doesn't even work up a sweat!
If you are tall strapping man go and do a proper activity, don't waste your time on the Wii Fit! In fact have you seen 'My Health Coach' on the DS? That encourages walking and comes with a free pedometer which you plug in.
I do like my Wii Fit but I have found I am not using it as much... has the novelty worn off, or am I just feeling lazy?
If anyone in the UK is reading this, I recommend http:www.WiiFitFrenzy.co.uk to buy your Wii Fit through - they know all the UK stock available and have email alerts. They also have a US section.
Maria.
Maria Edwards @ Jul 9th 2008 4:02PM
Sorry didn't hyperlink site: http://www.WiiFitFrenzy.co.uk
Nate357 @ Aug 13th 2008 5:59PM
I bought the nintendo wii fit for my kids to play on, i wish i could use it but being a big 6'8 370lb american with russian roots i'm SOL. However I dont understand why stick figure people call over weight HUMANS fat slobs! We obiese people are indeed fat but most "haters" are ugly BUT we can lose weight ur just screwed. Instead of being mean to large people you malnourished pricks should incurage them to fix the problem.