Harry Chen Thinks Aloud

Nintendo announced a new game controller called Wii Balance Board. This new controller is specially designed for games that involve physical exercises.

The centre piece of the whole shebang is the Balance Board, a device that looks a bit like a slim set of bathroom weighing scales. By applying pressure to it (by standing or pushing with your arms during press ups etc.), it can measure your actions and relay them to your Wii. Examples showed stepping, push ups, hula-hoop motions, heading and dodgying soccer balls, dancing, yoga and simple ball-rolling exercises where weight is shifted from one foot to other.

I think this new controller will further push Nintendo’s market share. First, it will encourage more people to buy Wii just because they want to exercise while being entertained by video games. Second, parents will be more willing to buy Wii than other game consoles because Wii has a healthier image. Third, Wii’s innovative game controls are user-friendly to all ages.

Related links:

• Nintendo Wii Balance Board gets you stepping in upcoming Wii Fit title
• E3: Nintendo unveils Wii Fit and Balance Board
• Wii Fit (youtube video)

Nintendo Wii is a video game console for everyone. This includes painters and painters-to-be. MTV reports that Nintendo is in talk with Bob Ross, a famous American painter who is known for his hit TV show The Joy of Painting.

The report didn’t say much about the kind of games that the company intends to create. However, there is a statement from Bob Ross Inc. expressing interests in creating games with Nintendo, for both Wii and Nintendo DS.

I see this is another sign that Wii will be successful in expanding its market into the world of non-traditional gamers (that includes me). We can only speculate what the future will hold for Wii and its competition with Sony PS3 and Microsoft XBox 360. One thing that I know for sure is that the future looks very exciting.

Spotted on: Nintendo family tree T-shirt.

Video games existed since the 1980’s, but little has changed in the way we play them. With the launching of Nintendo Wii, this is all about to change. This is not a Wii technology review but my thoughts on Wii’s innovative technology and how it may change the way we play and perceive video games. Read the rest of this entry »

Few weeks before the launching of its game console Wii, Nintendo is executing some marketing strategy that is quite unusual for a video game company. The New York Times reports that the company has taken Wii to Life@50+, an annual event sponsored by AARP.

Two points that Nintendo tries to sell: (1) If you know how to make card games, you can play Wii. Its game control is more natural than which of its competitors. (2) Nintendo games such as Brain Age are not only fun to play, but also they can exercise your mind and help to improve brain functioning.

+1 point for the Nintendo’s marketing team.

Read the rest of this entry »

The old news that is Nintendo will release its new game console Wii later this year. The new news is that I plan to buy one when it comes out. I’m not a die-hard gamer, but I’m love with Wii, especially its game controller.

The new controller shapes like a typical TV remote control, but it provides more that just few button inputs. Embedded with motion sensors, the new controller “allows users to direct action on the screen by swinging it like a bat, a sword, a racquet or a golf club”.

Take a look at this Nintendo Wii E3 video, and get really excited about Wii.

More videos and podcast shows from E3.

Release date: 4Q of 2006 (yahoo! news)