Getting Fit ... The Arcade Way

I don't know how I was able to salvage this, but this is one of the very few things I have remaining from my work on Rithum.com. I guess it is pretty relevant still with the release of the Pokewalker and the huge surge of active gaming the Wii has brought upon us:

For those who like to pretend they are reading intelligently with news articles, MSN Health and Fitness has a story up that details the Top Gamers’ Workouts (http://health.msn.com/dietfitness/ar...0697>1=10412).

While the story hits up on items that us gamers have known for years and years, it goes into newer technologies being used by fitness companies to incorporate video game-like attributes to exercise equipment. It is interesting to know that in the future I will be riding a stationary cycle in front of a 17-inch screen slaying dragons instead of getting off my ass and cycling through the scenic countryside like I do from time to time. I do have to point out three key areas this article fails though:

1) Dance Dance Revolution appeared in the United States prior to the 2001 indicated in the article. DDR was introduced to U.S. arcades in 2000 alongside the Japanese release of 3rd Mix - while the domestic version is labeled Dance Dance Revolution USA and has a limited songlist, they share the same interface. I've even had people tell me the original entry released in the U.S. in extremely limited numbers, but I've yet to come across any concrete evidence for this.

2) The article claims Guitar Hero is an active game. My opinion is flicking your wrist back and forth repeatedly hardly makes a game “active.” To the article’s credit, however, this could be comparable to masterbation and I have seen some medical journals promoting that due to the nature of the blood flow involved.

3) The article does good in mentioning Wii Sports, but completely fails to point out the upcoming Wii Fit, a game on the same system completely tailored to the very reason this article was written.

However, what kind of fairness would it be if I didn’t offer my insight on active games? Check these ones out:

MoCap Boxing (arcade) - I made the mistake one time of playing this all day and then attending a lock-in for Dance Dance Revolution. Never have my legs been more cramped in my entire life. MoCap Boxing by Konami puts gamers into the virtual boxing ring by making them attach makeshift gloves and step into a motion capture area located in front of the game. Not only does the game force you to punch in front of the screen feverishly, but in order to avoid the taste of canvas, you’ll have to duck, sway and weave away from the motion sensor areas where the opponent’s punches would travel if they were real. The punching works the arms and the defense works the legs - a one-two punch to strengthening up.

World Class Track Meet (NES) - In a pretty obvious choice to anyone close to my age, the good old Nintendo Entertainment System Power Pads gave us a pretty good workout even though we knew how to cheat the long jump. Placing a mat on the floor, players competed in sprints, hurdles and jumping events by alternating left and right steps as fast as possible. You’re not human if there isn’t sweat on your brow after a matchup against the CPU character Cheetah or a heated two-player race. The floor mat even further supported activity with games such as Dance Aerobics.

Martial Beat (arcade/Playstation) - In 2002, Konami unleashed this monsterously-sized cabinet into Japanese arcades, and while it shares similar concepts to the company’s Bemani titles, many Bemani fans may very well slap you if you claim that. Once again using sensors to detect movements, the game cycles music tracks and features a full-motion video of an instructor asking you to imitate them performing simple martial arts moves and Tai Chi-type positionings. If you think it sounds a lot like Tai-Bo, well, it does. That in fact makes it a primary candidate for a full-scale workout if you can stick with it (or in today’s date, even find one of these cabinets).

Downhill Racers (arcade) - Speaking of putting game screens in front of bicycles, this arcade cabinet lets two people race each other down dangerous mountain courses by pedaling on a stationary bike. While nothing beats riding a bike for real, I wouldn’t advise sailing down steep paths located in between jagged rocks. Obviously, peddling as fast as one can, Downhill Racers provides for quite a workout. To rub it into the opponent’s face with style, there are a number of jump points where players can execute mid-air tricks, making it as fun to watch as it is to play.

Arm Champs II (arcade) - While recently arm wrestling arcade cabinets have becoming notorious for breaking arms in Japan, Jaleco’s Arm Champs II has been floating around U.S. arcades now for 15 years. The cabinet emits a large, robotic arm, which players grip in traditional arm wrestling fashion and attempt to outmuscle the computer in nine different levels of strength. The first three opponents are laughably easy, so the casual player shouldn’t blow a bicep or anything, but those looking to flex their might will find challenge in the later opponents. Those who get into the game should find the game can be almost as intimidating as the actual sport itself.

Of course there is more to be had, but anyone who is looking to get active should head out to any local arcade as active gaming has become the staple on which arcades still exist in the United States.