WATCH: Nintendo teases ‘Wii Fit’, ‘Wii Sports’ style crossover for Switch console
Nintendo appears to be reviving the “Wii Fit” enthusiasm that helped make its Wii console a success, as seen in a teaser video released last Thursday, Sept. 5.
The one-minute video for a “new experience” has been published in advance of a more detailed reveal on Sept. 12.
Its footage focuses on participants reacting to two new Nintendo Switch accessories, such as a resistance wheel, which they hold between their hands or legs.
The flexible wheel contains one of the Nintendo Switch’s detachable controllers, while a velcro strap holds the other around the user’s thigh. Given that the wheel and strap use detachable controllers, this new accessory appears intended for use with the classic Nintendo Switch console.
A new Nintendo Switch Lite launches on Sept. 20 for a lower price, but lacks the ability to output its display to a TV while its controllers are built into the main unit and cannot be removed.
As much of the footage focuses on users playing in groups, Nintendo also appears to be channeling the popularity of the Wii console game collection “Wii Sports”. Both “Wii Sports” and “Wii Fit” helped make the Wii a success outside of stereotypical video gaming demographics.
Nintendo tallies “Wii Sports” sales at 82.8 million units, making it the console’s overall bestseller. Exercise game “Wii Fit”, which used a step accessory called a Balance Board, sold 22.6 million units, with its successor “Wii Fit Plus” reaching 21 million unit sales.
The Wii console, launched in 2013, had sold 101 million units worldwide by March 2019.
Despite a lack of processing power in comparison to immediate competitors, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the Wii outpaced them both to become the fifth best-selling console of all time. RGA/JB
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