Nintendo Wii Console

Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board
$99.99
The new Wii Fit Plus has a lot more activities than the original and it provides lots of fun for folks with varying abilities and interests. We don't have kids and we are not spring chickens. The only thing that irritates me is when you don't complete an activity in the allotted time (like the Table Tilts) it ends and you have to start all over again from the beginning. It doesn't allow you to repeat or practice the level you failed and, although it provides exercise because you have to start all over again, it gets boring if you can't fairly quickly master the troublesome level. Why do they have limited times anyway? Who cares how long it takes?

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

Nintendo Wii Friends Bundle
$271.79
I saw an article in Wikipedia about this system and game. It said Wii Sports is the best selling game of all time! Stop and think about that for a minute. From Pong to PacMan to Halo 3, this game outshines them all since old folks and women are attracted to it.

Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel
$49.99
Kids love this game they don't use the wheel often but they enjoy the game.