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 The Wii Balance Board attached to a Wii Fit demo at the Leipzig Games Convention in August 2007. |
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| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
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| Type | Video game controller |
| Generation | Seventh generation era |
| First available | JP December 1, 2007 EU April 25, 2008 |
The Wii Balance Board is a balance board accessory for Nintendo's Wii video game console.[1] It was first revealed on July 11, 2007, at E3 2007, in combination with its software counterpart Wii Fit.[2]
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Design
The Wii Balance Board is shaped like a household body scale, with a plain white top and light grey bottom. It uses four AA batteries as a power source, which can power the board for about 60 hours.[3] The board is wireless 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 body mass index. 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 kg (300 pounds / 21 stone 6lb) and the "Western" Balance Board up to 150 kg (330 pounds / 23 stone 9lb), they are actually the same board. The packaging differs due to the different laws in Japan and other nations regarding weights and measures. While the board will only display weight readings up to what is printed on the packaging, the actual physical structure of the board is able to withstand much greater force equivalent to around 300 kg (660 pounds / 47 stones 2lb).[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 within the Joyboard was much less advanced than that in the Wii Balance Board,[6] however, and instead of using pressure sensors under each footpad, the Joyboard simply positioned the four latches of a joystick beneath the board.[6] Leaning engaged the latches, controlling the game.[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 can cause the board to behave 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 by the consumer at a cost of GBP 8.50.
It's recommended in the manual and in the software introduction that the balance board be used barefooted. Most shoes do not provide the dexterity some of the exercises require, and socks do not properly grip the hard surface. Members of Club Nintendo were, however, able to receive novelty Wii Fit non-skid socks which make use of small rubber pads which stick to surfaces similarly to bare feet.
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 only one pressure sensor. However, the developers realized that a simple scale wasn't a very useful game accessory and eventually expanded the number of pressure sensors to two, and then finally 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]
Software
Wii Fit is 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".[8] Miyamoto has also stated that Nintendo has received "many inquiries" from third parties following the announcement of Wii Fit and the Wii Balance Board,[9] as well as receiving interest from the physical fitness industry.[9]
We Ski by Namco Bandai Holdings is the first third-party game to make use of the Wii Balance Board, in conjunction with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk attachment.[10]
THQ has also announced that All-Star Cheer Squad for the Wii will feature Balance Board compatibility.[11]
It has also been announced that the Wii version of the boxing game Don King Presents: Prizefighter will make use of the Wii Balance Board in some of the training mini-games. [12]
Electronic Arts and Black Box's Skate It will also make full use of the Wii Balance Board.
Ubisoft has recently released a trailer featuring one of their rabbids and the Wii Balance Board, which is a teaser trailer for the upcoming Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party.[13]
Ubisoft has also announced Shaun White Snowboarding, a snowboarding game for the Wii, meant to use the Balance Board to its maximum capabilities. [14]
Majesco has revealed that Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009, a fitness title starring celebrity fitness trainer Jillian Michaels, will utilize the Wii Balance Board. In the game, players are presented Wii Remote and Wii Balance Board motion-based challenges that range from crossing monkeybars to climbing ladders and rowing; players can also unlock lifestyle and fitness video tips from Jillian. [15]
Recently, a leak from Activision revealed a Wii-exclusive Spider-Man title involving the Wii Balance Board. No further information has been released[16] .
KOEI has also announced a videogame for Wii utilizing the Wii Balance Board. In G1 Jockey Wii 2008, players get to leap fences and steer their horse to victory through the Balance Board. [17]
Tetris Party for WiiWare will also feature one of their games where you use the Wii Balance Board when playing.
Nintendo's E3 demo of Wii Music revealed support for the Wii Balance Board. [18]
Existing Wiimote libraries are extended to communicate with Balance Board extensions through Bluetooth. In this way, the Balance Board can be used as input for a wide range of applications on regular PCs, for example 3D navigation in Virtual Reality[19]
Ubisoft has announced that Imagine Fashion Party (with Balance Board support) has been delayed until 2009.[20]
Hudson Soft has announced that Kororinpa 2 will support the Balance Board - the game will be released in the first quarter of 2009.[21]
Conspiracy Entertainment is publishing RTL Winter Sports 2009 (developed by 49Games) later in 2008, and it will incorporate support for the Balance Board.[22]
In addition to RTL Winter Sports 2009, RTL Biathlon 2009 is also due later in 2008.[23]
Milestone is publishing Hula Wii in Japan in September 2008.[24]
Compatible games
