On Tuesday, the Web lit up with news of an inflatable horse-riding peripheral for the Wii.
Today comes word that Nintendo may not be limiting its simulated
conveyance to the equestrian realm. NeoGAF user "Kswiston" has posted a
purported market-research presentation slide that shows what appears to
be a bicycle-peripheral-based Wii game. According to the slide,
the unnamed $89.99 single- and multiplayer title will let players
"pedal their way to fitness!" Accompanied by pictures of a round white
pedal controller with three resistance levels (pictured top), it will
have more than 30 maps based on actual locations. Accompanying images
show a variety of locales on all continents except Africa and
Antarctica, including Monaco, Paris, and the Grand Canyon. A Hawaiian
level is also shown. The Wii biking game will also feature more
than 60 activities, with road races, downhill, dog-walking, and
pedal-powered paragliding on display. Though the
cardiovascular-intensive game will track calories burned with a Wii
Fit-like interface, one of the activities its simulates is a high-fat
barbecue, with players cranking the pedals to simulate turning a spit
roast.
Speaking of Wii Fit, Kswiston also posted a slide that appears to detail Wii Fit Plus, the sequel to NPD's best-selling non-PC game of 2009 from January to June.
Though not named specifically, the title is described as "a new version
game of Wii Fit" (sic) and will feature "original Wii Fit
activities"--something no non-Wii Fit game could do. These activities
can be combined with just six new training and yoga exercises into
workout playlists like EA Sports Active, or players can choose from
preset 20-, 30-, or 40-minute workout routines. The game will also
feature workouts targeted at certain parts of the body, including abs
and arms, as well as stress reduction techniques. Besides the
workouts, the slide promises Wii Fit Plus will sport 15 new balance
board minigames, including skateboarding, "rhythm kung fu," and a
series of flapping games involving a chicken suit. The game will let
players weigh their dogs or cats directly--versus subtracting the
weight in the original Wii Fit--and, judging by an image, will allow
players to create Miis for their pets. The game will apparently cost
$29.99 on its own or $99.99 when bundled with the Wii Balance Board. Finally,
Kswiston said there was a third game in the market-research
presentation, which featured resistance bands a la EA Sports Active, as
well as video of the pedal device in action. The official story: Nintendo reps declined to comment on the slides. Bogus or not bogus?:
Looking not bogus. The pictures look at little complex to be mere
forgeries, and the descriptions carry a very Nintendan tone. Adding
credibility are the Miyamoto-esque flourishes like the barbecue
simulator and chicken suit, as well as the fact that the Wii Fit Plus
slide shows a senior citizen--reportedly one of its target groups.
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