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Wii Fit has undergone a bit of a cosmetic makeover and emerged as Wii Fit Plus, a more robust collection of mini-games utilizing the Wii Balance Board. Wii Fit Plus will not magically make you skinny; however, its offerings are fun enough to get your lazy butt up off the couch.



Let's Get Physical

Much like its predecessor, Wii Fit Plus is not a replacement for an actual exercise routine, personal trainer or a long power walk around the mall. If you're seriously looking to drop pounds, the game can only act as a supplemental tool, a welcome distraction from hours on the treadmill that will not require a puke bucket.

Wii Fit aficionados will recognize much of Plus, including the dreaded beginning Body Test. Nothing is more eye opening than having a piece of sophisticated plastic tell you you're fat. The good news is that the game easily imports your old Wii Fit data, so you can avoid reliving the horror of seeing your Wii Fit Age displayed in gigantic numbers that might as well look like a coffin.

Plus includes all the modes from the original game, plus multiplayer and new Training Plus mode, which includes 15 brand new exercise games. The new games and aerobic routines are a bit hit and miss. Some will make you work up a sweat like Hula Hoop Plus and Rhythm Boxing, while others, like Advanced Step, will leave you wondering, "What's the point of owning this game outside the walls of a nursing home?"

 
Flan, anyone?

While on the surface Wii Fit Plus looks like a glossy rehash of the original Wii Fit, Nintendo has done a great job adding more games and features to make the game more accessible and add additional replay value.

Instead of having to slog your way through boring beginner activities to get to the good stuff, Wii Fit Plus comes with almost all of the strength and yoga exercises unlocked, minus a few bonus "Challenge" moves. It's encouraging to see a lesson has been learned: when dealing with physical exertion, don't give people any excuse to quit and having a variety of exercises available right off the bat makes sticking with it much easier.

My Wii Fit Plus, a mode that allows you to program your own exercise routine, is also a welcome addition for those who are semi-serious about shedding pounds. With My Wii Fit Plus, you can choose from pre-arranged workout plans or make up your own. The mode also utilizes the brand new calorie counter and allows you to set "Goal Foods" for yourself and figure out how much exercise you'll have to do to burn off the calories. Turns out, it takes a great deal of hula hooping to burn off 18 pieces of flan. Who knew? (And yes, America's favorite dessert, flan, is one of the goal foods).



Let Me Tell You How Hard It Is To Weigh A Cat

There are some head scratching additions to the game. Though multiplayer is a value add, the mode requires you and your friends to take turns, which works out well for your annual "Make Your Friends Look Like Idiots" party, but not so well on a practical level.

Also, in a feature that is touted on the back of the box, Wii Fit Plus allows you to weigh your pet and/or baby. Basically, the game will weigh anything you can hold in your hands that doesn't push your weight above 330 pounds. In the case of pets, the game will let you create a little dog or cat Mii that can tag along with you during certain activities. What's the point of this? Your guess is as good as mine. All I know is that the game will not heal the swipes you take to the face when you try to weigh your petulant cat.

Other complaints about Plus include occasional clunky navigation and non-stop text screens to scroll through even on repeat plays. Nothing says aerobic activity like pressing the "A" button 100 times! There's also the issue of scaling. More active people will find the basic exercises a non-challenge and Plus doesn't make it easy to increase the difficulty, pace or duration, if those options are available at all.



The Cool Down

Already avid users of Wii Fit will rejoice at the new offerings available. Variety, as they say, is the spice of life and Plus offers a boat load of new things to do with your Balance Board that will get your blood pumping. Plus should also entice new users to make the investment. Having all the exercises unlocked from the start and the new games are worth the purchase price if you're looking to get into virtual exercise.

However, for those staring at a Balance Board that is currently collecting dust in the corner of your living room, Plus is not a revolutionary call to health. Use the money to buy yourself 18 pieces of flan instead.