Many of you folks in Europe have probably already decided whether Wii Fit interests you, but those of you paying attention know that there's another exercise game for the Wii that's aiming to compete with Nintendo's software. Yes, we're talking about Athletic World: Family Trainer (aka Active Life: Outdoor Challenge in U.S. markets).
Perhaps you prefer video game exercise on a mat rather than a Balance Board, or perhaps there's room for two fitness-based games in your life; if either of these conditions apply, though, you'll have to wait a few months to pick up this title. Atari recently announced that the game will reach Europe in September, which is just enough time to make it useless for bathing suit season -- alas.
1UP checked out Active Life: Outdoor Challenge, Bandai Namco's alternate-universe, nostalgic take on Wii Fit, at yesterday's Bandai Namco press event. As producer Daisuke Uchiyama explained to the site, the game is less about scientific measurement and management of fitness, and more about being active and having fun.
The preview did indeed seem fun, especially the mine-car event -- though there was some difficulty coordinating two players. "The entire experience actually felt like "controlling" a Disneyland coaster like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or the Matterhorn Bobsleds," 1UP's Andrew Fitch said.
If Outdoor Challenge takes off, more games using the Family Trainer mat could be on the way. Apparently the company will conduct surveys to determine the kinds of things that different regions would want to control by stomping.
