The following report is based on a GC07 preview build, and as such may not be reflective of the final version. But, you know, we try our best.

To the critics of Nintendo's recent shift in direction to lifestyle gaming, Wii Fit - promotedas a way to get fit with your Wii and designed tofunction as well on CNN as in your living room -is proof that Nintendo have abandoned traditionalgaming as their raison d'etre. There are credibleand uncredible sides to this attitude (read mymedia briefing report for more thoughts on it), but what Wii Fit also demonstrates is that there areways in which Nintendo have't changed at all. They stillhave the capacity to shock and dazzle, andcreate something barmy and brilliant that makesthe competition look like Luddites.

Firstly, it's important to note the broad division in WiiFit's different modes, between those thatreplicate exercise routines on the balance board,and those thatuse the technology to make 'gamey' scenariosthat bit more interesting. This differentiationbroadens the game's appeal vastly, since it meansit can't be pinned down as simply 'that exercisegame' and it deserves your attention for the moment.

Playing (or whatever the verb is) with thebalance board is a distinctly surreal experience at first. The Wii originally required a smallleap of consciousness (no buttons, just wavethe remote!), but at least it was rooted in thehalf familiar. An analogue stick and A and B buttonsdid still feature. Wii Fit demands you abandonyour hands altogether, and control with... feetand body movement. Whatever you opinions onWii Fit's validity as a videogame or otherwise,there's no denying that is a clever piece of kit,a genuine triumph of design.

One obvious observation, then: Wii Fit is going toconquer everything that lies before it. Itsutter simplicity, sleek look and curious noveltywill pull in any observers. If smartly priced, itslifestyle appeal will effortlessly sell it to the middleaged mothers of the world, a demographic probablymore reflective of the 'non-gamer' (a term that'sgoing to need a serious reexamination within thenext six months) than any other.

But enough pontificating - how did it actuallyplay? Ignoring the exercise modes (my journalisticcredibility only stretches so far - I was notabout to embarrass myself in front of thecommunity by attempting anything remotely relatedto exercise), I tried a few of the more 'gamey'sections. In Ski-ing, you must crouch to ski downa slope, then spurt up to jump and hold yourselfin perfect balance for high scores. Tricky atfirst, it soon becomes simple and direct, andwill amuse at parties. Soccer Heading was somethingsimilar, but less linear: you had to shift leftand right to catch footballs with your head, andavoid incoming boots. A bit manic, but groundedenough, it felt satisfying

Ball Roll was were the fun was at, though. Basedon a familiar 'roll a board to move balls intoholes' basis, it's something that would beeasily amusing with standard Wiimote controls.But with the balance board, it becomes infinitelymore entertaining. When it's simple at the beginning, it's amusing and comfortable movingwith the board - but as the stages progress andyou have to contend with more balls precariouslydropping over the edge, you're forced to shiftand lean like a lunatic teetering on an invisible tightrope. If you lose your cool,you've failed - the fun bit is trying to staysteady while the clock is draining and the ballsare driving you crazy. It's deliriously absurdand ridiculous, and will provide gamers with wonderfuldrunken nights in. Trying to hold your balanceafter a few drinks is unsettling enough; tryingto navigate balls into holes will be difficultbut hilarious. We expect to be falling off ourboards, giggling like schoolgirls.

That was the most surprising thing about Wii Fit:that it was at times genuinely fun to play. Whatever it signals about themes larger than it,we expect it to assault the mainstream withease, and instigate some good-natured tomfoolery.

Skeptical about a purchase before Leipzig, I nowfind myself seriously tempted to purchase oneon release. My mother will adore it, that wasalways obvious. But maybe,when she's not looking, I'll steal it for a fewguilty hours. Nintendo's revolution marcheson.

Conor Smyth
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