Wii Jumped the Shark: Vitality Sensor

[Martinus]

By Derrik J. Lang
updated 6:07 p.m. ET June 2, 2009

LOS ANGELES - Nintendo wants to check your pulse.

The game maker on Tuesday debuted the Wii Vitality Sensor, a gadget that wraps around a player's index finger.

No games were announced that would use the new gizmo, but Nintendo President Satoru Iwata suggested it could be used to "let people unwind or maybe even make it easier to fall asleep.

Iwata discussed the apparatus and showed an image of the sensor Tuesday at Nintendo's Electronic Entertainment Expo presentation at Club Nokia.

The game maker also announced the new Wii games "Super Mario Bros. Wii," a side-scroller featuring the mustached plumber and the ability to play with four players; "Wii Fit Plus," a follow-up to the popular fitness game with more workout personalization; and a sequel to "Super Mario Galaxy."

For the handheld Nintendo DS system, Nintendo unveiled "Women's Murder Club: Games of Passion," a mystery game based on the James Patterson franchise; "Style Savvy," a fashion title aimed at tweens; and role-playing games "Mario and Lugi: Bowser's Inside Story" and "Golden Sun DS."

What. The. Fuck. 

[Ed Anger]

Listen to your body.

[DisturbedPervert]

It's for people who are using the Wii Fit to excessive with.  I wouldn't buy it, but it makes perfect sense.

[PDH]

My body says "fuck all the wii-tards and their idiocy. May they all die in a crash."

[Martinus]

It's for people who are using the Wii Fit to excessive with.  I wouldn't buy it, but it makes perfect sense.

What's up with the shit about "unwinding" and sleeping though? Asians are evil.

[DisturbedPervert]

I dunno what's up with that.  It measures your pulse though, so I can see how it could be useful for some. 

[Ed Anger]

My body says "fuck all the wii-tards and their idiocy. May they all die in a crash."

/signed, Ed Anger

[The Brain]

Is there a Wii Sex yet?

[Malthus]

Is there a Wii Sex yet?

That thing only fits your finger.

[The Brain]

Is there a Wii Sex yet?

That thing only fits your finger.

Ah, flattery. You will go far young man.

[lustindarkness]

 

[Grey Fox]

Ah, E3

[Brazen]

"Vitality Sensor" implies it's detecting you're still alive.

If they're going to include a heart rate monitor, they'd be better checking kids using Wii Fit and the like get their heart rates UP, not down. Some sports scientists reckon Wii Fit is barely better than nothing and you'd be better off going for a walk.

[Grey Fox]

Do not assume that this is fitness related.

[DGuller]

I can see some use for this.  If you're playing a game on Wii, and suddenly your heart stops, wouldn't you like to be informed about it?