Nintendo Wii Fanboy

Despite the crazy amount of deals Amazon threw at us last week, the online retailer has another trick up its sleeve. Of course, this time it won't be anything as grandiose -- just a single Gold Box deal, lasting from 10am-1pm PDT.

The wording of the deal has caused some to speculate that Amazon will be offering Wii Fit: "No more slip-slidin' away while you get your Fit on. " However, we think this wording implies that the retailer will be offering a deal on a Wii Fit accessory, like a mat (or maybe even a whole bunch of accessories). Considering Amazon doesn't have the game itself in stock, we doubt they'd be hoarding copies just for a Gold Box when selling them regularly would be easier and more lucrative.

We'll know for sure soon enough, though -- and don't worry, all you cheap readers out there, we'll keep you updated.



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

[Update: The deal was revealed; you can grab this Wii Fit Balance Board Mat for $16.99 ($8 off). If interested, you have to go to the actual Gold Box (and not the item's product page) to see the slashed price.]

MTV Multiplayer's interview with Active Life: Outdoor Challenge producer Yusuke Sasaki barely touches on Active Life: Outdoor Challenge at all, and instead focuses on the really attention-getting part of the package: the new Family Trainer mat!

Apparently, compared to the NES mat, the technology has been refreshed a bit. No specifics were given, but perhaps the Family Trainer is something more than buttons inside soft plastic? Or perhaps the years of Dance Dance Revolution mat testing undergone around the world has helped hardware designers make more robust mat controllers. As far as tangible changes, "The Active Life mat actually has more buttons in a unique configuration that works well with different types of games as well as multiplayer gameplay on a single mat."

Sasaki also reaffirmed Namco Bandai's intention to create more games that use the mat. Dance Aerobics seems ripe for remaking, if they want the Wii Fit crowd.

And, just like the anti-slip pads, this one isn't all that useful. You see, it's a mat. Just a mat. For Wii Fit. A long piece of mat that goes below the Balance Board, undoubtedly to protect your knees from being burned by your carpeting or scraped by your tile floors. For those of you with other, more smooth and consistent flooring, we suggest you look elsewhere for something to put down under your Balance Board. Maybe one of your bath towels? Heck, that could probably work for all of you.

Head past the break for some more images.