Nintendo of America Getting Gamers Fit

Nintendo of America is offering Wii U owners a chance to download a full version of Wii Fit U for free. Starting Nov. 1, Wii U owners can download a complete 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 a full month - at no cost.

All users need is a Wii Balance Board and a Wii U system with a broadband Internet connection. Consumers can keep their trial copies of Wii Fit U at no additional cost by simply purchasing and syncing a Fit Meter to the game. Nintendo announced the special offer along with a number of items related to active gaming during a Nintendo Direct video. 

"Wii Fit U is all about 'fun fitness' for everyone in the family," said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's president and COO. "With this special offer, Nintendo is making it easier than ever for families to get active and stay active, making now the perfect time to upgrade to Wii U. This is another example of the kind of value and variety that only Nintendo can offer."

The full Wii Fit U software will be downloadable from the Nintendo eShop between Nov. 1, 2013, and Jan. 31, 2014, and will work for a month from the day it is first played. During the trial period, 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 trial period can purchase a Fit Meter accessory and sync it to their Wii Fit U software at any time. This will allow them to continue playing Wii Fit U forever. The Fit Meter will be available Nov. 1 in black/silver at a suggested retail price of $19.99.

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 - for example, 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 all 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 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 participate in this special offer, Wii Fit U launches both as a packaged game on Dec. 13, 2013, and as a full game download in the Nintendo eShop on Feb. 1, 2014.

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