Saturday, October 25, 2008

Nintendo Wii - Can it make you Healthier?

By D Grammer

Video game made their way into the market quite some time ago and are not going anywhere anytime soon. Video games have always had a lot to offer, including virutal escapes, as well as a multitude of other things. You can experience so many things like racing, treasure hunts, battles, and much more without leaving your home.

Therein was the biggest drawback of these systems as well: players never left the couch.

Some people claim the benefits of playing games as the refined hand to eye coordination, but that is pretty much all.

Which is why doctors and gamers alike are intrigued by the Nintendo Wii.

Unlike the other gaming systems, the Nintendo Wii has motion-sensor controllers. With the wide variety of games designed around virtual sports, the Wii may have the ability to offer a gaming an exercise experience in one.

The trick is in the interactivity of the Wii controller. To play many Wii games, the players must get in on the action, literally performing the moves they want to complete in the game. For example, in a tennis game, a Wii player cannot just hit a button to make their virtual counterpart swing. Instead, the player actually has to swing his/her own arm.

The result is both a physical and mental interaction with the gaming experience.

While it is true that the Wii will probably not provide quite the same caliber of workout as a focused cardiovascular program, it is a great option for gamers who are used to spending all their time on the couch. Some of the best games to get the most benefit from a Wii playing session are from the Wii's sports package. This includes games like tennis, boxing, golf, and baseball, all of which require extensive player movement in order to compete successfully.

Needless to say, the Nintendo Wii's innovative design offers an entirely new kind of gaming experience, one to please coach potatoes and doctors alike. - 15343

About the Author: