Nintendo is offering Wii U owners a chance to download a 31-days trial version of Wii Fit U for free. Starting on 1st November, Wii U owners can download a complete trial version of the game and get a head start on their New Year’s fitness goals by trying out all the activities found in the game for 31 days – at no cost. All you need is a balance board and a Wii U system with a broadband Internet connection.* Fitness fans can unlock the time restriction of Wii Fit U by simply synching a Fit Meter, available at retail separately, to the game. Nintendo announced the special offer along with a number of items related to active gaming during a Nintendo Direct video. To view the Nintendo Direct in its entirety, visit http://nintendo.co.uk/nintendodirect.
“Wii Fit U turns fitness into a fun, family experience,” said Laurent Fischer, Managing Director European Marketing & PR at Nintendo. “With this special offer, as well as new titles like Wii Party U, Wii Karaoke U by JOYSOUND and SUPER MARIO 3D WORLD launching this year, it’s the perfect time for families to experience the unique value and variety that owning a Wii U console can offer.”
The 31-days trial version of Wii Fit U will be available to download free of charge from Nintendo eShop between 1st November 2013 and 31st January 2014 and will work for 31 days from the day it is first played. Using the software, users can stay active with 77 different activities, including 19 new training activities, many of which take advantage of the Wii U GamePad controller. Users who want to continue using Wii Fit U beyond the 31-days trial period can unlock the time restriction by synching a Fit Meter accessory (available at retail) with their trial version of the Wii Fit U software. This will allow them to continue playing Wii Fit U for an unlimited time. The Fit Meter will be released on 1st November in a choice of colours including Black, Red and Green.
The Fit Meter accessory is much more than a pedometer – it’s an activity meter that tracks a wide range of everyday activity. It records not only the number of steps a user has taken, but it also takes into account the intensity of those steps – was the user running or walking? The Fit Meter also measures altitude, so wearers get credit for climbing stairs or walking uphill. All of these data points combined provide users with an accurate overview of their day’s activity, including a detailed calculation of the number of calories they burned. This data can then be transferred wirelessly to Wii Fit U via the Wii U GamePad with just a touch of a button. The Fit Meter transforms users’ everyday lives into workouts, encouraging them to get active and stay active.
Wii Fit U features many of the strength training, yoga and fun fitness games that have made the Wii Fit series so popular. Plus, there are new games that combine the Wii Balance Board and Wii U GamePad, including new dance routines such as hip-hop, locking and salsa that work out various parts of the body through simple dance moves. The game also gives players more ways to create their own custom workout routines. Users can also create or join a Miiverse Gym Community to share tips and support with other Wii Fit U users who have similar goals. Or people can create closed communities made up exclusively of their friends. The communities will help people stay motivated by giving them a venue to discuss their fitness progress with others.
For those who choose not to download the 31-days trial version, on 6th December Wii Fit U launches as a packaged game in two sets, one including the game disc and Fit Meter, the other including the game disc, Fit Meter and Wii Balance Board. The paid download version of the game will also be available on Nintendo eShop from 1st February 2014.
Some other announcements today included:
Wii Sports Club
The five beloved sports from the original Wii Sports – bowling, tennis, baseball, boxing and golf – are making a dramatic and competitive return on Wii U. The games are being released individually as downloads on Nintendo eShop featuring HD graphics, enhanced controls via Wii MotionPlus technology, as well as a much-requested online multiplayer versus mode, so users with broadband Internet access can face off against competitors online. And that’s where the “Club” part of Wii Sports Club comes into play. Players will be registered to regional clubs and will be able to interact with one another via Miiverse during matches. People will be able to play casually against members of their own club, or take on members of rival clubs to increase their club rankings.
Tennis and Bowling will be the first two sports available from Nintendo eShop on 7th November, with Boxing, Baseball and Golf scheduled to launch in the months ahead. Wii U owners who download Wii Sports Club will get a trial pass that will let them play any available games for a 24-hour period from when the Wii Sports Club game is started. Once the trial period ends, players can purchase a Day Pass on Nintendo eShop for £1.79 to play all available sports for a 24-hour period, or can buy permanent access to individual sports for £8.99 each.
Wii Street U powered by Google
An update to Wii Street U powered by Google is now available that incorporates the Wii Balance Board. People can walk the streets of familiar or exotic locales simply by taking steps on the Wii Balance Board, as the TV displays a streetscape from Google Maps. The Wii Street U Powered by Google application is currently available as a free download on Nintendo eShop until 31st October.
*Depending on the Wii U hardware pack you own and your use of it, an additional storage device may be required to download software from Nintendo eShop.