Going retro: Wii Balance Board |
Ó
But before you think that this is another "Nintendo-stole-this-idea" post, halt right there. Rather, this is an exemplification of one of the more successful revisionisms (recycling, if you must) in gaming and its corresponding technology. Ian Bogost, via Water Cooler Games, has revealed that back in 1982, an Atari VCS peripheral called the Joyboard was released by Amiga.
You older folks probably would remember it, or then again maybe not. Either way, what's fact is that it did not enjoy the same attention as the Fit board now is getting. I guess you can say it was ahead of its time. The design is pretty much like its modern counterpart, although of course, this one's "much less sophisticated than Fit [Board]", but essentially, they both have the same functions.
As a parting note, here's what the author had to say about this reinvention:
My point is not that Nintendo has "stolen" the idea of a balance board from Amiga, nor that their revisions are unimportant. Rather, I want to suggest that product like Wii Fit don't come out of a vacuum. Fit evolved from decades of experimentation in physical interfaces and creative game design. Game players and critics alike would do well to learn some history about their medium to help make sense of new entries like this one.
Yeah, it's all about knowing your roots, baby!
Contact Us:
The QJ.net Network |
 |
| Site | Feed |
| QJ.NET | RSS |
| Nintendo DS | RSS |
| PlayStation 3 | RSS |
| PSP Updates | RSS |
| Wii | RSS |
| Xbox 360 | RSS |
| MMORPG | RSS |
| Personal Computer Games | RSS |
| iPhone - iPod Touch | RSS |
| QJ.NET Forums | RSS |
Add QJ.NET
User Favorites - December
User Favorites - December
Categories
Archives
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
Comments
back then in the NES days there was a track game and it looked kind of like the joy board but you would have to run as quick as you can on that board to win, you think they'll do the same with the wiiboard in Mario&Sonic at the olimpic game?
Actually, I think the track-and-feild accessory was more like a DDR dance pad (although obviously preceding it) than the balance board. Also, now that you mention it, it would make sense for the olympics game to use it.
Add New Comment