Nintendo Wii

Wii Fit
$89.99
Although I enjoy using the Wii Fit, perhaps the most frustrating aspect is the short duration of most of the exercises, with lots of button pushing in between. Especially when you're first beginning and haven't unlocked some of the longer exercises, you can spend an hour and a half completing just 45 minutes of actual exercises. Supposedly, the Wii Fit Plus, if you already have Wii Fit or the Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board, if you need the board, solves this problem for yoga and strength exercises, not aerobics.

Because I was already somewhat in shape when I started, most of the exercises do not sufficiently sustain an elevated heart rate. The free run and step programs do better, but these must be unlocked by good scores in other areas. However, for those who are just embarking on an exercise program, I cannot imagine a better tool, especially since the trainer (you can choose male or female) and the tiny Wii voice encourage the user to continue. The games keep your attention, and even the runs provide moving scenery to keep things interesting. You'll probably find, as I did, that some games are tough to figure out right away, and so, once you realize how to score well, you'll improve, and there's nothing like beating your old record.

The Wii works in two main sections, body measurement/testing and training/exercises. The measurement keeps track of your weight, records your goals, calculates BMI, graphs progress, and gives balance tests to determine your Wii Fit "age." (Expect to peel off those first "years" by figuring out what the Wii wants.) If you don't want other people in your house knowing your weight, BMI, etc., you can lock your profile and measurements using a PIN code. The exercise section is broken down into yoga, aerobics, strength training, and balance games, with the Wii keeping track of your history.

The biggest advantage of Fit is the way it helps time pass quickly. Before you know it, you'll have logged in thirty minutes of exercise. Although people swear by the Fit for weight loss, you'll get quicker and more permanent results with diet changes as well. If you already have an exercise outlet or if the weather prevents you from following your usual sport, the Wii makes an excellent supplement.

-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann

Wii MotionPlus
$19.99
This took my Wii Fit and EA Sports to a new level. Even playing tennis is now much funner- I don't have to work as hard to make my motions show, and I wish they came out with this sooner!

Wii
$199.99
My husband and I agreed that we would buy a Wii and we could have some fun with it in the winter and on our weekends. Well, its not winter yet, but we are loving us some Wii. It's not just a kids toy, this can so be for adults too! We still haven't used all the features on it, but we've been playing Wii sports. I like that it keeps track of our high scores. And who would've thought I would break out a sweat playing that game. But its all fun and we're looking forward to playing other games on it. This was a good choice!

Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel
$49.99
The wheel is a great invention and nintendo wii is such a nice platform that the game is so much fun. I have played only a few games -bowling, tennis, boxing on the wii and I had a opinion that the wii had limitations in the racing world. Arrive mario cart and this changed everything. With the multiplayer mode (oh, I wish I had a bigger screen), mario cart is one awesome gift for a friend or for yourself. I am also a big fan of "Excitebike series" [ http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ULC66Y?ie=UTF8&tag=mama0f-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001ULC66Y ] - that is a perfect 10 and allows six players online.

On the network, the game experiences a few hiccups, but is absolutely manageable. Despite this, mario cart is pure fun, I would rate it a perfect 5.
If you have a wii and do not have a wheel yet, you should get one!!