Wii Balance Board
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Wii Balance Board, attached to a Wii Fit demo at the Leipzig Games Convention in August 2007 |
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Manufacturer | Nintendo |
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Type | Video game controller |
Generation | Seventh generation era |
Retail availability | JP December 1, 2007 EU April 25, 2008 AUS May 8, 2008 NA May 19, 2008 |
Predecessor | Wii |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (November 2009) |
The Wii Balance Board (sometimes incorrectly called Wii Fitness Board) is a balance board accessory for Nintendo's Wii video game console.[1] It was introduced on July 11, 2007 at E3 2007, along with Wii Fit.[2]
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[edit] Design
The Wii Balance Board is shaped like a household body scale, with a plain white top and light gray bottom. It runs on four AA batteries as a power source, which can power the board for about 60 hours.[3] The board uses Bluetooth technology and contains multiple pressure sensors that are used to measure the user's center of balance—the location of the intersection between an imaginary line drawn vertically through the center of mass and the surface of the Balance Board—and weight. In an interview conducted by gaming web site IGN, Shigeru Miyamoto stated that the Balance Board's ability to measure weight is probably more accurate than that of a typical bathroom scale.[4]
Although the Japanese packaging states that it is designed to support people weighing up to 136 kilograms (300 pounds) and the "Western" Balance Board up to 150 kg (330 pounds), they are actually the same board. The packaging differs due to regulatory differences between Japan and the United States. The sensors on the board can accurately measure up to 150 kg (330 pounds). The actual physical structure of the board can withstand much greater force equivalent to around 300 kg (660 pounds).[5]
Due to the similarities between the two products, the Wii Balance Board has been compared to the Joyboard, a peripheral released for the Atari VCS in 1982 by Amiga Corporation.[6] The technology in the Joyboard was of course less advanced than that in the Wii Balance Board.[6]
It is noted in the manual that the Balance Board should only be used on a hard surface or thin carpet, as thicker or softer surfaces may cause the board to operate incorrectly. A set of feet extensions is included to allow the board to be used on softer surfaces. The extension feet are not included in the European versions of the balance board but may be purchased separately.
The balance board should be used barefooted. Socks do not properly grip the hard surface and can be dangerous. Members of Club Nintendo were able to receive novelty Wii Fit non-skid socks, which use small rubber pads that stick to surfaces.
[edit] Development
The balance board's development was tightly coupled with the development of the Wii Fit game. Nintendo initially contacted manufacturers of normal bathroom scales, but ended up building the board without their help in an effort to keep down costs. In early development models, the balance board was a simple scale with one pressure sensor. However, the developers realized that a simple scale was not useful as a game accessory and expanded the number of pressure sensors to two, then four. The idea to use multiple sensors was partly inspired by how sumo wrestlers weigh themselves (using two scales).[7] The shape of the balance board was initially a square, but it was decided that it was too hard to use for the exercises.
For a long time, the board was an extension controller to a normal Wii remote.[7] The effects of this are seen in the released balance board, which acts as a Wii remote with the front button mapped to "A" and all pressure sensors on an "extension controller".[8]
[edit] Software
Wii Fit was the first game to make use of the Wii Balance Board. Shigeru Miyamoto noted the potential for other uses, however, noting that "probably the simplest and most straightforward [idea] would be a snowboarding game".[9] Miyamoto has also stated that Nintendo has received "many inquiries" from third parties following the announcement of Wii Fit and the Wii Balance Board,[10] as well as receiving interest from the physical fitness industry.[10]
We Ski by Namco Bandai Holdings was the first third-party game to make use of the Wii Balance Board, in conjunction with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk attachment.[11]
Since the Wii Balance Board uses two of the four player slots on the Wii (excluding any additional Wii Remotes), multiple Balance Boards can't be used for multiplayer titles.[12]
[edit] Wii
Title | Developer | Publisher | Release date N. America | Release date Europe | Release date Japan |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Academy of Champions: Soccer [13] Academy of Champions EU |
Ubisoft Vancouver | Ubisoft | November 3, 2009 | September 4, 2009 | N/A |
All Star Cheer Squad [14] All Star Cheerleader EU |
Gorilla Systems Corp. | THQ | October 27, 2008 | March 30, 2009 | N/A |
All Star Cheer Squad 2 [15] All Star Cheerleader 2 EU |
Gorilla Systems Corp. | THQ | October 27, 2009 | November 6, 2009 | N/A |
Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 3 [16] | Konami | Konami | October 27, 2009 | October 27, 2009 | October 27, 2009 |
Don King Boxing [17] | 2K Shanghai | 2K Sports | March 31, 2009 [17] | N/A | N/A |
G1 Jockey Wii 2008 | Koei | Koei | N/A | September 26, 2008 | N/A |
EA Sports Active[18] | EA Vancouver | EA Sports | May 19, 2009 | May 22, 2009 | August 6, 2009 |
EA Sports Active: More Workouts[19] | EA Vancouver | EA Sports | November 17, 2009 | November 20, 2009 | N/A |
Gold's Gym Cardio Workout My Fitness Coach: Cardio Workout EU Shape Boxing: Wii de Enjoy! Diet JP |
Rocket Company | Ubisoft | March 31, 2009 | July 17, 2009 | October 30, 2008 |
Imagine Fashion Party [20] Imagine Fashion Idol EU |
Virtual Toys / Lexis Numerique [21] |
Ubisoft | January 20, 2009 | February 2, 2009 | N/A |
James Cameron's Avatar: The Game[22] | Ubisoft Montreal | Ubisoft | December 1, 2009 | December 4, 2009 | N/A |
Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009 [23] | 3G Studios | Majesco Entertainment | October 21, 2008 | March 20, 2009 | N/A |
Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2010 [24] | Collision Studios | Majesco Entertainment | October 6, 2009 | N/A | N/A |
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games [25] | Sega Japan | Sega | October 13, 2009 | October 16, 2009 | November 5, 2009 |
My Fitness Coach 2: Exercise and Nutrition [26] | Ubisoft | Ubisoft | January 5, 2010 | N/A | N/A |
NewU: FitnessFirst Personal Trainer [27] | Black Bean Games | Lightning Fish | September 18, 2009 | September 18, 2009 | September 18, 2009 |
Punch-Out‼ [28] | Next Level Games | Nintendo | May 18, 2009 | May 22, 2009 | N/A |
Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party [29] | Ubisoft Paris | Ubisoft | November 18, 2008 | November 13, 2008 | N/A |
Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip [30] | Ubisoft Montreal | Ubisoft | November 16, 2008 | November 13, 2008 | N/A |
Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage [31] | Ubisoft | Ubisoft | November 8, 2009 | November 13, 2009 | N/A |
Skate City Heroes | Zeroscale | Zoo Games | November 24, 2008 [32] | April 17, 2009 [32] | N/A |
Skate It | EA Montreal | Electronic Arts | November 19, 2008 | November 20, 2008 | N/A |
Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll [33] | Sega | Sega | February 9, 2010[34] | February 12, 2010[34] | February 25, 2010[34] |
Walk it Out [35] | Konami | Konami | January 12, 2010 [32] | N/A | N/A |
We Ski [36] Family Ski EU |
Namco Bandai | Namco Bandai | May 13, 2008 [36] | June 13, 2008 [37] | January 31, 2008 [38] |
We Ski & Snowboard Family Ski & Snowboard EU |
Namco Bandai | Namco Bandai | March 3, 2009 | February 27, 2009 | November 13, 2008 |
Wii Fit [39] | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | May 21, 2008 [39] | April 25, 2008 [40] | December 1, 2007 [41] |
Wii Fit Plus [42] | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | October 4, 2009 | October 30, 2009 | October 1, 2009 |
Wii Music [43] | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | October 20, 2008 [43] | November 14, 2008 [44] | October 16, 2008 [45] |
Winter Sports 2: The Next Challenge [46] RTL Winter Sports 2009 EU |
49 Games | Conspiracy Entertainment | November 25, 2008 [46] | December 4, 2008 | N/A |
Yoga [47] Yoga for Wii EU |
JoWooD Entertainment AG | Dreamcatcher / JoWooD Entertainment AG |
December 7, 2009 | November 27, 2009 | N/A |
[edit] WiiWare
Title | Developer | Publisher | Release date N. America | Release date Europe | Release date Japan |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Equilibrio[48] | DK Games | DK Games | April 6, 2009 | N/A | N/A |
Incredible Maze, The[49] | Digital Leisure | Digital Leisure | October 20, 2008[49] | October 24, 2008 | N/A |
Overturn | Studio Zan | Studio Zan NA / Gamebridge EU |
August 3, 2009 | N/A | December 2, 2008 |
Rock N' Roll Climber | Vitei | Nintendo | August 12, 2009 | N/A | N/A |
Snowboard Riot | Hudson Soft | Hudson Soft | February 2, 2009 | February 27, 2009 | February 10, 2009 |
Tetris Party[50] | Hudson Soft | Hudson Soft JP / Tetris Online EU/NA |
October 20, 2008[50] | October 24, 2008 | October 14, 2008[51] |
[edit] Unreleased
Title | Release date N. America | Release date Europe | Release date Japan |
---|---|---|---|
NewU Fitness First Mind Body Yoga & Pilates Workout [52] | TBA | April 2, 2010 [53] | TBA |
[edit] References
- ^ "Wi Fit: How To Stay Balanced", GamePro 235 (April 2008): 19.
- ^ "Stay fit with Wii Balance Board". Console Watcher. 2007-11-12. http://www.consolewatcher.com/2007/07/stay-fit-with-nintendo-wii-balance-board/.
- ^ "GDC 2008: Sawano on Wii Fit". IGN. February 20, 2008. http://wii.ign.com/articles/853/853708p1.html. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
- ^ Shigeru Miyamoto (Interviewed). (July 12, 2007). E3 2007: Shigeru Miyamoto Video Interview. IGN. http://uk.media.wii.ign.com/articles/804/804464/vids_1.html. Retrieved 2007-07-13.
- ^ Game Informer, Interview with Shigeru Miyamoto: Different weight limits in different regions for Wii Balance Board
- ^ a b Bogost, Ian (2007-07-15). "The Prehistory of Wii Fit". Water Cooler Games. http://www.watercoolergames.org/archives/000823.shtml. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
- ^ a b "Iwata Asks: Wii fit". http://us.wii.com/wii-fit/iwata_asks/vol2_page1.jsp.
- ^ "Wii Balance Board specifications". http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Wii_Balance_Board.
- ^ "E3 2007: Nintendo Developer Roundtable". IGN. 2007-07-12. http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/804/804397p1.html. Retrieved 2007-07-13.
- ^ a b "Miyamoto Roundtable full transcription". 2007-07-13. http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8258756&publicUserId=5379721. Retrieved 2007-07-14.
- ^ "Bandai Namco makes an excellent decision - Family Ski supports Wii Fit board". GoNintendo. 2007-11-16. http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=29590. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
- ^ "MTV Multiplayer » How Wii Balance Board Works With Ubisoft’s ‘Shaun White Snowboarding,’ Device Counts As Two Controllers". Multiplayerblog.mtv.com. 2008-05-30. http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/05/30/shaun-white-snowboarding/. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Academy of Champions - Game Info". us.ubi.com. 2009-11-03. http://academyofchampions.us.ubi.com/the-game/game-info/. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ^ "All Star Cheer Squad at". Nintendo.com. 2008-10-26. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/zMivcGH1GnV6GR3B5F3wx2oxERrMEx8K. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ http://wii.ign.com/articles/104/1048199p1.html
- ^ DeVires, Jack (June 3, 2009). "IGN: E3 2009: DDR Tests Your Balance". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/articles/991/991113p1.html. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
- ^ a b CNET review of Don King Boxing
- ^ http://www.easportsactive.com/product.action
- ^ http://www.ea.com/games/eas-active-more-workouts
- ^ "Imagine Fashion Party at". Nintendo.com. 2009-01-20. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/AVXQ_P89ekOGrkkfqavKFtx8ht5f-mDy. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/wii/data/950947.html
- ^ http://wii.ign.com/articles/105/1050986p2.html
- ^ "Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009 at". Nintendo.com. 2008-10-28. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/LnPrGWcA8QeVWm1ToEsTAhnanuhm3RhK. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ http://www.jillianmichaels.com/jillian-michaels-nintendo-wii/fitness-ultimatum-2010.aspx
- ^ "Mario and Sonic Head to the Slopes in Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games". Sega.nl. 2009-02-12. http://www.sega.nl/news/?n=3012. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ http://www.whattheyplay.com/products/my-fitness-coach-2-exercise-and-nutrition-for-wi/
- ^ "NewU Fitness First Personal Trainer". Ubisoft Entertainment. http://www.newu.me/index.asp?idLang=uk. Retrieved "2010-01-03".
- ^ "Punch-Out‼". Nintendo. http://punchout.nintendo.com/. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ^ "Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party at". Nintendo.com. 2008-11-18. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/7l559X5akWSAh3Y3j1G0CEKDmrgAxJ_S. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip at". Nintendo.com. 2008-11-16. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/PoGRcOKavFC2-nUJe1ME60oBw4PEcu2D. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Nintendo :: E3 2009 :: Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage". Ubisoft. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=18811. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ a b c Skate City Heroes Release Information for Wii
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b c "Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll Release Information for Wii". GameFAQs. http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/wii/data/961608.html. Retrieved 2010-02-14.
- ^ Walk it Out Hands On - Gamespot
- ^ a b "We Ski at". Nintendo.com. 2008-05-13. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/yM36y72ecw5org4PGXT6lgYZXYfIdy-U. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Family Ski at Nintendo-Europe.com". Nintendo.co.uk. 2008-06-13. http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/wii/family_ski_8117.html. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Family Ski at". Nintendo.co.jp. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/software/rsqj/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ a b "Wii Fit at". Nintendo.com. 2008-05-21. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/hoiNtus4JvIcPtP8LQPyud4Kyy393oep. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Wii Fit at Nintendo-Europe.com". Nintendo.co.uk. 2008-04-25. http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/wii/wii_fit_2841.html. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Wii Fit at". Nintendo.co.jp. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/rfnj/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Nintendo :: E3 2009 :: Wii Fit Plus". E3.nintendo.com. http://e3.nintendo.com/wii/w10/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ a b "Wii Music at". Nintendo.com. 2008-10-20. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Fe0_TFVoa6RbkoZq_GoIDaRTgOzVAOID. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Wii Music at Nintendo-Europe.com". Nintendo.co.uk. 2008-11-14. http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/wii/wii_music_9603.html. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Wii Music at". Nintendo.co.jp. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/r64j/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ a b "CONSPIRACY ENTERTAINMENT : Winter Sports 2: The Next Challenge". Conspiracygames.com. http://www.conspiracygames.com/products.php?productid=81531500154. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Yoga for Wii". JoWooD Entertainment. http://www.yoga-game.com/. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ^ "Equilibrio homepage". http://www.equilibrio-game.com/. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
- ^ a b "The Incredible Maze at". Nintendo.com. 2008-10-20. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/_Y5IWRWXfpHJJZf_6KiNVlXW2KRUgirA. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ a b "Tetris Party at". Nintendo.com. 2008-10-20. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/RnTU2IgVgmjJ8cl6RJ1SyW_I5zDfZyGg. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Tetris Party at". Nintendo.co.jp. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/wiiware/wtpj/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ [2]
- ^ http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/wii/data/977721.html
[edit] External links
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