Wii Balance Board

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Wii Balance Board
Wiifit.jpg
The Wii Balance Board, attached to a Wii Fit demo at the Leipzig Games Convention in August 2007
Manufacturer Nintendo
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 entitled 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]

Contents

[edit] Design

The top of a Wii Balance Board
The bottom of a Wii Balance Board

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 has bluetooth 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 which 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] Released

[edit] Wii

Title Developer Publisher Release date N. America Release date Europe Release date Japan
All Star Cheer Squad (All Star Cheerleader)[13] Gorilla Systems Corp. THQ October 27, 2008 March 30, 2009 TBA
Babysitting Party Ubisoft NA November 27, 2008 NA
EA Sports Active: Personal Trainer EA Canada EA Sports May 19, 2009 May 21, 2009 TBA
Don King Boxing[14] March 31, 2009 [14]
G1 Jockey Wii 2008 THQ Entertainment GmbH NA September 26, 2008 NA
Shape Boxing: Wii de Enjoy! Diet
Gold's Gym Cardio WorkoutNA
My Fitness Coach: Cardio WorkoutEU		 Rocket Company UbisoftNA, EU March 31, 2009 July 17, 2009 October 30, 2008
Hula Wii TBA TBA TBA
Imagine Fashion Party (Imagine Fashion Idol / Sophies Freunde - Fashion Show)[15] Ubisoft January 20, 2009 February 02, 2009 NA
Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009[16] 3G Studios Majesco Entertainment October 21, 2008 March 20, 2009 TBA
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games [17] Sega Japan Nintendo, Sega October 13, 2009 October 16, 2009 November 5, 2009
Punch-Out!! Next Level Games Nintendo May 18, 2009 May 22, 2009 TBA
Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party[18] Ubisoft Paris Ubisoft November 18, 2008 November 13, 2008 TBA
Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip[19] Ubisoft Montreal Ubisoft November 16, 2008 November 13, 2008 TBA
Skate City Heroes Midway Games GmbH / Zoo Games November 24, 2008 [20] April 17, 2009 [20]
Skate It EA Montreal Electronic Arts November 19, 2008 November 20, 2008 TBA
We Ski (Family Ski)[21] Namco Bandai Namco Bandai May 13, 2008[21] June 13, 2008[22] January 31, 2008[23]
We Ski & Snowboard (World Family Ski: Ski & Snowboard) Namco Bandai Namco Bandai March 3, 2009 February 27, 2009 November 13, 2008
Wii Fit[24] Nintendo Nintendo May 21, 2008[24] April 25, 2008[25] December 1, 2007[26]
Wii Fit Plus [27] Nintendo EAD Nintendo October 4, 2009 October 30, 2009 October 1, 2009
Wii Music[28] Nintendo Nintendo October 20, 2008[28] November 14, 2008[29] October 16, 2008[30]
Winter Sports 2: The Next Challenge (RTL Winter Sports 2009)[31] 49 Games Conspiracy Entertainment November 25, 2008[31] December 4, 2008 NA
? (RTL Biathlon 2009) RTL Games NA December 19, 2008 NA

[edit] WiiWare

Title Developer Publisher Release date N. America Release date Europe Release date Japan
The Incredible Maze[32] Digital Leisure Digital Leisure October 20, 2008[32] October 24, 2008 TBA
Overturn Studio Zan Studio Zan
Gamebridge (EU)		 August 3, 2009 TBA December 2, 2008
Rock N' Roll Climber Vitei Nintendo August 12, 2009
Snowboard Riot Hudson Soft Hudson Soft February 2, 2009 February 27, 2009 February 10, 2009
Tetris Party[33] Hudson Soft Hudson Soft (Japan)
Tetris Online (NA, EU)		 October 20, 2008[33] October 24, 2008 October 14, 2008[34]

Equilibrio also uses the Balance Board; Costs 500 points; Released 2009

[edit] Unreleased

Title Release date N. America Release date Europe Release date Japan
Dance Dance Revolution[35] TBA November 3, 2009[36] TBA
new U: FitnessFirst Personal Trainer TBA September 8, 2009 TBA
Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage [37] TBA TBA TBA
Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll [38] February 9, 2010 TBA TBA
Yoga Wii November 4, 2009 Q2 2009

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Wi Fit: How To Stay Balanced", GamePro 235 (April 2008): 19.
  2. ^ "Stay fit with Wii Balance Board". Console Watcher. 2007-11-12. http://www.consolewatcher.com/2007/07/stay-fit-with-nintendo-wii-balance-board/. 
  3. ^ "GDC 2008: Sawano on Wii Fit". IGN. February 20 2008. http://wii.ign.com/articles/853/853708p1.html. Retrieved 2008-04-28. 
  4. ^ Shigeru Miyamoto (Interviewed).. E3 2007: Shigeru Miyamoto Video Interview. IGN. http://uk.media.wii.ign.com/articles/804/804464/vids_1.html. Retrieved 2007-07-13. 
  5. ^ Game Informer, Interview with Shigeru Miyamoto: Different weight limits in different regions for Wii Balance Board
  6. ^ 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. 
  7. ^ a b "Iwata Asks: Wii fit". http://us.wii.com/wii-fit/iwata_asks/vol2_page1.jsp. 
  8. ^ "Wii Balance Board specifications". http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Wii_Balance_Board. 
  9. ^ "E3 2007: Nintendo Developer Roundtable". IGN. 2007-07-12. http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/804/804397p1.html. Retrieved 2007-07-13. 
  10. ^ a b "Miyamoto Roundtable full transcription". 2007-07-13. http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8258756&publicUserId=5379721. Retrieved 2007-07-14. 
  11. ^ "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. 
  12. ^ "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. 
  13. ^ "All Star Cheer Squad at". Nintendo.com. 2008-10-26. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/zMivcGH1GnV6GR3B5F3wx2oxERrMEx8K. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  14. ^ a b CNET review of Don King Boxing
  15. ^ "Imagine Fashion Party at". Nintendo.com. 2009-01-20. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/AVXQ_P89ekOGrkkfqavKFtx8ht5f-mDy. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  16. ^ "Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009 at". Nintendo.com. 2008-10-28. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/LnPrGWcA8QeVWm1ToEsTAhnanuhm3RhK. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  17. ^ "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. 
  18. ^ "Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party at". Nintendo.com. 2008-11-18. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/7l559X5akWSAh3Y3j1G0CEKDmrgAxJ_S. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  19. ^ "Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip at". Nintendo.com. 2008-11-16. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/PoGRcOKavFC2-nUJe1ME60oBw4PEcu2D. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  20. ^ a b Skate City Heroes Release Information for Wii
  21. ^ a b "We Ski at". Nintendo.com. 2008-05-13. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/yM36y72ecw5org4PGXT6lgYZXYfIdy-U. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  22. ^ "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. 
  23. ^ "Family Ski at". Nintendo.co.jp. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/software/rsqj/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  24. ^ a b "Wii Fit at". Nintendo.com. 2008-05-21. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/hoiNtus4JvIcPtP8LQPyud4Kyy393oep. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  25. ^ "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. 
  26. ^ "Wii Fit at". Nintendo.co.jp. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/rfnj/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  27. ^ "Nintendo :: E3 2009 :: Wii Fit™ Plus". E3.nintendo.com. http://e3.nintendo.com/wii/w10/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  28. ^ a b "Wii Music at". Nintendo.com. 2008-10-20. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Fe0_TFVoa6RbkoZq_GoIDaRTgOzVAOID. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  29. ^ "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. 
  30. ^ "Wii Music at". Nintendo.co.jp. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/r64j/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  31. ^ a b "CONSPIRACY ENTERTAINMENT : Winter Sports 2: The Next Challenge". Conspiracygames.com. http://www.conspiracygames.com/products.php?productid=81531500154. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  32. ^ a b "The Incredible Maze at". Nintendo.com. 2008-10-20. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/_Y5IWRWXfpHJJZf_6KiNVlXW2KRUgirA. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  33. ^ a b "Tetris Party at". Nintendo.com. 2008-10-20. http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/RnTU2IgVgmjJ8cl6RJ1SyW_I5zDfZyGg. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  34. ^ "Tetris Party at". Nintendo.co.jp. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/wiiware/wtpj/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  35. ^ 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. 
  36. ^ Adam Riley (2009-05-14). "Dance Dance Revolution Returns to Wii". http://www.cubed3.com/news/12291. Retrieved 2009-05-15. 
  37. ^ "Nintendo :: E3 2009 :: Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage". Ubisoft. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=18811. Retrieved 2009-08-30. 
  38. ^ [1]

[edit] External links

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