Nintendo held a special edition of Nintendo Direct earlier today with the spotlight on upcoming fitness title Wii Fit U. The twenty minute presentation detailed how the game will work as well as the introduction of a new Fit Meter accessory.
Nintendo is offering Wii U owners a chance to download a full version of Wii Fit U for free. Starting on November 1st, Wii U owners can download a complete version of the game to try out all of the activities found in the game for a full month – at no cost.
Gamers will need a Wii Balance Board and a Wii U system with a broadband Internet connection. You can keep the trial copies of Wii Fit U at no additional cost by simply purchasing and syncing a Fit Meter to the game.
The full Wii Fit U software will be downloadable from the Nintendo eShop between November 1st, 2013, and January 31, 2014, and will work for a month from the day it is first played.
“Wii Fit U is all about ‘fun fitness’ for everyone in the family,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America’s president and COO. “With this special offer, Nintendo is making it easier than ever for families to get active and stay active, making now the perfect time to upgrade to Wii U. This is another example of the kind of value and variety that only Nintendo can offer.”
The game will be released in physical retail copies on December 13th in two different editions. One will include the game and Wii Fit meter only and the second will also include the balance board for those who haven’t owned a previous version of the game. The full game will be available for purchase in the eShop on February 1st, 2014 after the free trial ends.
The Fit Meter will be available Nov. 1 in black/silver at a suggested retail price of $19.99.
The Fit Meter accessory is actually more than just a pedometer. It is an activity meter that tracks a wide range of everyday activity. It records:
– the number of steps a user has taken
– takes into account the intensity of those steps (running or walking)
– measures altitude
– detailed calculation of the number of calories burned.
The data can then be transferred wirelessly to Wii Fit U via the Wii U GamePad.
Wii Fit U features all of the strength training, yoga and fitness games that have made the Wii Fit series so popular. There are also new games that combine the Wii Balance Board and Wii U GamePad, including new dance routines such as hip-hop and salsa that work out various parts of the body through simple dance moves.
The game also gives players more ways to create their own custom workout routines. Users can also create or join a Miiverse Gym Community to share tips and support with other Wii Fit U users who have similar goals. Or people can create closed communities made up exclusively of their friends. The communities will help people stay motivated by giving them a venue to discuss their fitness progress with others.
