Wii query from someone without a clue

[starrylizard]

So, I haven't had a gaming console of any sort for quite a few years now. I do like the odd platform game, but these days I'm not that in to gaming. That said, I'm being tempted by the Wii and all the various dance and exercise games out there. I'd like to get fitter and they look like something you could play for ten or twenty minutes when you've got no other avenue for exercise (i.e. it's raingin or you get home late from work, etc.).

So my question, have any of you played the Wii games, such as the Zumba, dancing, exercise ones and if so:
Are they fun?
Do they get you moving?
Do you recommend them or are they quickly tossed aside as boring?
If they're good, which ones are best, most addictive that you've played?

Also, is there some other (possibly a SONY) equivalent now to a Wii? I've been seeing a system around, but haven't heard anyone mention it. Maybe it didn't take off? Is the Wii a good system or is there something else everyone is buying now for the type of games I'm interested in?

I'm also tempted to just get a treadmill and set it up in front of my TV, but I'm thinking... Wii's do seem reasonably priced these days.

Cheers
♥

Comments

[dragonfly-sg1.livejournal.com]

I don't have a Wii, however, I've played it at friends' houses and I've wanted one for years. Last week I played "Just Dance" for the first time and now I MUST have a Wii. It was ridiculously fun. And yes, definitely a work out.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Thanks!

[foreverseenstar.livejournal.com]

I have a Wii and the Just Dance games are super fun. I used to play Dance Dance Revolution, but the actual dance moves in the JD games are great. I got Zumba for Christmas, haven't tried it yet, but it comes with a belt thing to hold the remote so you don't have to which already has me amped to play. As soon as I ditch this cold, I'll be digging in.

The only other systems I know of are the PS3 and the XBox. I've actually been told XBox Kinect is awesome (no remotes involved), so maybe even look into that versus the Wii. I've also been told Nintendo is releasing a new version of the Wii this year at some point.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Ooh that's interesting. I'll look into the other systems and possible release dates for the new Wii. Thanks! :D

Just Dance is looking awesome. I really want one now. :)

[kaaatie.livejournal.com]

I have a wii, and I really enjoy wii fit. It has lots of different very short exercises, which is great for my short attention span, and they make exercise fun. I don't play as much now as I did for the first year, but I use it occasionally.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

That's what I'm after really. Thanks!

[daisycm83.livejournal.com]

I have a Wii and love it for working out. Just Dance 3 is a great game - improves on some of the design flaws of Just Dance 2 while keeping the same high energy pace. Gold's Gym Cardio Dance Workout is also pretty good.

Wii Fit is an interesting thing. Not entirely sure if it's worth the extra cost on top of the Wii, but I like the lower impact of the workouts - much more about focus and balance and centering than about burning fat. And they're silly and fun. I like it, but I tend to do the high energy games more.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info. I'm really thinking this may be cheaper for me than getting say a treadmill. I tend to be much more likely to do something if it involves movement to music. It'd be great if I could fins a way to try before I buy, but I don't think any of my friends have the fitness type games on their systems. :)

[daisycm83.livejournal.com]

I think a lot of the Just Dance routines are on Youtube, so you can at least see what you'd be getting?

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Great! Thanks!

[romoeren81.livejournal.com]

I have a Wii but I don't have any exercise / dance game even if I'd like to have one soon... so I'm keeping all of these comments as a suggestion! Thanks!!
I have to say that even playing Sport Games can be an enough exercise... trust me! LOL!!

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Teehee! I know right. Some day just typing is hard work! :P

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

Um, I don't have a WII thingy, but I will add that according to my Chiropractor? Zumba is THE best thing for your back... she's tried to persuade me to go to sessions in town, but it's just not my thing.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Teehee, I like Zumba, but it depends a LOT on the instructor. The classes at my gym suck, but I've been to a few with my sister and one at my work and they were brilliant fun!

I thought it might be fun to have the Wii version for times you just can't be arsed paying money a to do it at a gym. *shrugs* I just don't want another computer-thingy sitting gathering dust. I'm terrible at using the stuff I buy.

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

*nods* I think it also depends on how you like to exercise, some people only really get motivated in the company of others - that contagious extra push classes give you.

But on a choice between a treadmill or a Wii? I'd go for the Wii simply because it will give you the opportunity to do a lot of different things, much easier to just switch on for only a few minutes and if you do have a few friends or family over, then you can still get that extra push from having someone else with you.

[irismay42.livejournal.com]

I do 30 minutes on Wii Fit every day! Sometimes I'm really not in the mood, but once you start it, it can be quite good fun! I tend to do boxing, step, jogging and I love the yoga! (I'm also slightly addicted to the snowball fight game!)

I think what I like about it is that you can do something different every day, and you can also make up your own routine of yoga and muscle exercises if you want to.

I've played around with quite a few boxing and yoga games, but in the end, I always come back to Wii Fit!

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Nice to know. :)