EA Sports Active to Give Wii Fit a Run for the Retail Dollar

When the Nintendo Wii was first launched, the variety of games included in the included Wii Sports showed people that with the right type of games, the innovative Wii remote system could be used to really work up a sweat. Boxing and tennis were just two of the included games that gamers used to actually exercise and lose some weight.

Thus, the Wii Fit game was highly anticipated. But despite the huge sales of the game, over 2.3 million copies in the U.S. alone, according to the NPD Group, a large percentage of users were disappointed by the game's focus on stretching and balance rather than aerobics. And a survey in Japan found that the Wii Fit found its way to the closet, as much exercise equipment does.

Still, there's a huge market out there. Enter Electronic Arts, which has just announced EA Sports Active.

EA Sports Active will be more aerobics-centered, with over 20 different sports and tools such as a virtual personal trainer and calorie counter. The game will include two specially-designed leg straps that hold the Wii's Nunchuk controller to track lower body movements, as well as a resistance band. The Wii Fit Balance Board will not be required, but will be used to "add functionality to many exercises."

The virtual trainer will be part of the 30-day weight loss program, called the "30 Day Challenge." In addition, the user can create his or her customized workout (though the press release makes it clear that women are the target audience).

Oprah's personal trainer, Bob Greene, is part of the development, and in the press release, he said:

"One of the most frequent questions I am asked is how to get fit at home - especially from busy moms. EA SPORTS Active provides a fun and effective workout that targets your upper body, lower body, and gets your heart pumping in just 20 minutes a day. It's a great way to get moving when you can't get outside or you only have a short amount of time at home. In addition, I like the variety of exercises that it provides - one of the many reasons it has earned the Best Life seal of approval."

It appears this may be just the start of a new product line. In a GameSpot interview, in fact, Moore said as such:

Yes, think of EA Sports Active as a pretty comprehensive product line. It's not just software but peripherals as well. Down the road, there will be more of a total workout [title]. But you can imagine there's an abs version down the road. There's a soccer version down the road. So, EA Sports Soccer, EA Sports Abs.

EA Sports Active will ship in Spring of 2009 with an MSRP of $59.99.