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Eydie's Excerpts
So You Think Video Games Are Just For the Grandkids
Are you tired of going to the gym and trying to keep your 2008 resolution? This might be of interest to you. Have you tried the Wii (pronounced We) workout? It really works and beats the treadmill hands down. Is there anything more boring than a treadmill?
Aside from the old PacMan computer game, I am not good at video games or any of those games involving quick eye-hand coordination. Shooting games or anything even remotely violent is definitely out. Even the tame ones are not my cup of tea. Of course, the grandkids are all adept at video games. Yours must be too. They seem to be born with all the right attributes but then again, they were weaned on the technology.
So why am I writing to you about video games? Wait; there is a good reason. A neighbor invited us over. They were playing games on something called a Wii console system. Sweat was pouring down their necks as if they were working out. These games were being played standing up, not sitting down. A remote was placed in my hand. I was playing tennis, something I am usually pretty good at. My serve was delivered in much the same way I actually serve. I got into it and almost whacked my neighbor's 5 year old. I could do this. It's amazing. We had to have it. Everyone else had to have it too. I guess we weren't the only ones enthralled with this new system. The stores, both online and off were sold out. It was the “in” gift for last Christmas. EBay had them for exorbitant inflated prices. Somehow my son actually got one for us. Yes, our lives are going Japanese with the car and now this.
It's not rocket science to set up. It comes with the console that plugs into the TV, a remote and a CD with 5 sports on it. The games are tennis, baseball, bowling, golf and boxing. To use the boxing, you need to buy something, get this, called a nunchuck. It plugs into the remote and allows you to use 2 hands to box. If you want to box an opponent such as your grandkids, you can buy an additional remote and really let them have it.
Setting up is even fun. You build your Wii character, called a Mii, by choosing attributes such as hair color, eyebrow and eye shapes, nose, and mouth. David actually gave his gray hair. I didn't! Mine is that unnatural blond look. Then you name your character. Ours are g-ma and pop pop. Let the games begin. Oh, move the furniture out of the way. You will need the room.
The remote is in my hand. It has 2 control buttons on it, A and B. The system tells me which one to press. I get into a ready tennis position. My Mii is ready. I turn. My Mii turns. Well, let's go on to the next sport. Maybe I'll do better. Batter up.
I assume the stance with 2 hands on the remote facing sideways to the TV. The system advises me that I'm swinging too late or too early and then I hit one. The fans go wild. Three outs and my team takes the field. I wind up in my best pitching form and throw the remote at the TV. The remote comes with a plastic jacket and a wrist strap so you don't actually let it go flying into the TV.
Moving on. I've never been any good at golf and this game is no exception. I have to slow down and pay attention. I want more action.
Bowling is probably the best and most realistic game on the Sports CD. I usually bowl right down the middle and get a split at the bowling alley. Why should this video version be different? I hold the remote like a lightweight bowling ball. I swing my arm back and then forward releasing the B button as I would a real ball. The video ball heads down the alley at the angle and speed I give it. The acoustics are real. Strike or spare light up the screen.
It does the math and keeps score. I jump up and down to get that last pin down just like I do at the bowling alley. David and I are very competitive at Wii bowling. Where else can you bowl in your PJ's?
On another day I try out boxing. The nunchuck is easily connected to the remote. I swing wildly at my Mii opponent. The left hand jabs, then the right hand punches. I knock their Mii out. My Wii character is pretty good at this until I get knocked out. 15 minutes of boxing on the Wii is equal to 125 calories or a one mile walk according to bodyfatguide.com. A gym in Canada has the Wii system to workout with. Don't be surprised if it comes to our local fitness clubs.
There is more. You can assess your fitness level by following instructions on 3 activities. The first time I did this, I came with fitness age 68. Naturally, I was not happy and have been trying to correct this obvious mistake even since.
You can also practice each activity. In bowling practice, there is a part where the number of pins doubles after each throw. I had to knock down 90 pins with one throw. You've got to be kidding.
There are many other games you can buy for the Wii like the Olympics. Bone up on your swimming, track and field, table tennis, and gymnastics. For me, these were a bit too challenging and I came in dead last every game.
Invite the grandkids over. This can be an individual or family thing. But be forewarned, they will want the game system, if they don't already have it. It is fun and healthy and something else that our age group could never imagine. The system starts at about $250 and up and the games run from $30 to about $50. Remember, the sports CD comes with the system. Turn off the treadmill and turn on the Wii. Let me know how you like it. One note of warning: You may experience some muscle soreness from playing video games.
I started this story before I saw this picture that was in the AARP bulletin Jan/Feb. 2008 edition. Wow, these games are so cool!
(Questions or comments are always appreciated: eydies@aol.com)