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E3 09: Wii Vitality Sensor announced, no one knows why photo

Nintendo has already announced several really promising titles in this morning's press conference (the liveblog is still going on here), and in the excitement of the announcement for Metroid: Other M this will probably be forgotten, but I have to say it anyway: Nintendo couldn't resist. They can thrill us, alright, but they still have to keep trying to please that new demographic. Hence, the Wii Vitality Sensor.

You stick your finger in this thing and it measures how relaxed you are. Nintendo says they want people to be able to better understand their health. I think the general idea is a nice one, but the device you stick your finger is is just dumb. That's a gadget that's going to be forgotten and go off to die where old peripherals no one loved go. I don't mind that Nintendo appeals to their new demographic at all, but I think they could have done better than this plastic thing.


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45 comments | showing # 1 to 45

Corican's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:25
Corican
I saw this, and my inner Nintendo fan-boy fell down and wept.
the Golden Avatar's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:26
the Golden Avatar
"Mr. Iwata's Wii Vitality Censor Announcement" - Reggie.
Scary Womanizing Pig Mask's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:26
Scary Womanizing Pig Mask
I get the feeling that no one will want this. There's a difference between buying Wii Fit to play some excersising mini games, and dropping how ever this will be to let the Wii tell you your pulse.
GoldenGamerXero's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:27
GoldenGamerXero
Why? There cannot be ANYONE dumb enough to buy this (Or is there...)
AngelsDontBurn's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:27
AngelsDontBurn
I lol'd SO hard. This whole presentation was seriously lacking IMHO. Oh well, Super Mario Bros. Wii looked really cool. So did Mario Galaxy 2. Don't know about Metroid yet.
eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:28
eternalplayer2345
Anyone remember the vitality sensor for tetris 64 in japan?
n0brein's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:28
n0brein
Seriously, wtf?
Tha Meat's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:29
Tha Meat
This is actually kinda cool, but its not for the everyday gamer. So Iwata is thinking to himself, lets make something for the 40+ age group. Oh I know, (Iwata after having a doctors appointment) Lets bring the doctor to your house.
ShawnKelfonne's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:30
ShawnKelfonne
I suppose if you had a good idea this might actually be useful for something. I mean, how about a survival horror game that changes what's going on based on your heart rate? If you're all nice and calm, it starts throwing stuff at you from all directions and eases up a little when you start to panic?
parsleyboots's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:30
parsleyboots
Fingerbangtastic!
DumbUser's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:30
DumbUser
Obviously, this will be Nintendo's answer to Natal.
F Whipple's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:30
F Whipple
I've never facepalmed so hard
Shadowstew's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:31
Shadowstew
Am I the only one who thought Iwata was joking when he announced this?
pascuz46's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:32
pascuz46
A new peripheral. Doesn't surprise me, Nintendo is the master at advertising these kinds of things. This will probably sell pretty good and there will probably be some kind of linkage with WiiFit plus, good idea nintendo.
ThunderHeartXI's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:32
ThunderHeartXI
Maybe it contacts the hospital just before I have a heart attack due to rage.
Havoc Fang's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:33
Havoc Fang
Spoiler: People will put their penis in it.

What? We were all thinking it.
jfbguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:34
jfbguy
Actually,as Iwata was talking about this. All I could think of was Eternal Darkness 2.
nightv's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:36
nightv
I am happy to hear there is an other person that thinks this could be used for other things.

Don't be so harsh just yet. It is all how it is used. Hell I would use it if it could make me feel better.
NihonTiger90's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:36
NihonTiger90
There's uses for it if you think about it. Not many, but there are good uses for it.
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:36
Chronic Logic
Move along, nothing to see here.
Clayton S Chan's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:37
Clayton S Chan
The Meat: I don't understand how a pulse sensor is the same as bringing the doctor to your house. In fact, it's only 1/3 of the basic, BASIC diagnostic tests that are so simple the non-doctors are allowed to perform them on you at a clinic. (Blood pressure, pulse, temperature would be the three.) Especially when measuring your pulse is the one diagnostic you can actually do anywhere for free without any equipment.
CelicaCrazed's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:39
CelicaCrazed
IF this was to be used in a video game, the horror genre would be perfect. But as a fitness tool it's actually pretty cool. Heart monitors are great to indicate whether you are pushing yourself hard enough or not. Hell the biggest complaint about Nike+ is that it doesn't have a heart monitor!!

Of course, expecting video game nerds to have a bit of knowledge in fitness training is asking a lot........>_>
LsTr Of SmG's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:40
LsTr Of SmG
The only thing I can think it'd work really well in is a horror title to guage how scared you are and where you have to try and remain calm.
Capm Trevo's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:41
Capm Trevo
Umm, It's definitely not the greatest announcement, but its not THAT bad either, you guys have no imagination as to how this can actually enhance the gaming experience. Aside from the obvious Wii fit possibilities, imagine stuff like horror games or stealth games, even trauma center, the peripheral can measure your pulse and affect the game in new ways. And for all you untrustworthys out there, maybe a lying detector? :P

I mean, c'mon guys, can't you see the positive in things like this?
VaeVictus's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:44
VaeVictus
There is no defense for sh*t like this. Don't even attempt to put a positive spin on it. There is no fun attached to this. It is crap, another pointless peripheral that will do nothing. I can put my finger on my neck or wrist for 15 seconds and count my heart rate. I don't need a $20 piece of f***ing sh*t to do that for me.

Nintendo fans, listen to your company. They are focused on the "maybe" gamers...that's not you.
BlackFreefall's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:44
BlackFreefall
Next Stop: Wii Thinking Cap: Turning Ingenious Idea One Thought at a Time
covah's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:45
covah
I really thought this was a joke. Like... how in god's name can they actually be serious?
silvain's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:47
silvain
@ShawnKelfonne

exactly. There are some really interesting game design things that could be done with this. Eternal darkness 2 would be fantastic with this.

Let's hope there are some developers with some imagination out there. This could be really, really cool with the right game mechanics.
Canopus Walf's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:50
Canopus Walf
Its a sexy ed game/peripheral. I can already see stuff getting caught in there!
imaginarythomas's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:55
imaginarythomas
This really needed an example of use. It seemed they brought it out with the intention of finding a use for it later.

The aforementioned idea of using this in Eternal Darkness is perfect.
Dennen's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 12:59
Dennen
I can thank of some decent ways for this to be included in gaming. Yes.

However. Can I honestly say that I feel video games get my heart pumping with fear or excitement? Not really. Matter of factly, I don't think my heart rate increses much at all when i'm gaming. I get oo'd and ah'd, but I don't see a bus getting tossed at me, as in InFamous, and say "HOLY SHIT, BUS!" and dive out of the way.

In order for that to happen, I need MUCH more immersion. I need Nintendo to work with Johnny Lee and actually release a headtracking peripheral to make me feel like the game is actually in a 3D space, rather than something just on my screen.

Aside from this, I can only see it being realistically used in things like Wii Fit. Well that and your occasional oddity, such as Crank: The Video Game - a joke I made on Kotaku about this peripheral. For that, it could work. Could also kill a lot of people by forcing them to have high heart rates for extended periods of time, *nod*. But a Crank'ish game would fit well with a peripheral like this.. Assuming they can turn down the size. Going to be hard to use a controller with that thing around your finger.
viviextreme's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 13:00
viviextreme
I thought this was a stupid idea but then I thought.. what if Survival Horror games used this gadget. Imagine Eternal Darkness 2 that measures your heart beat, and the faster it beats makes your character panic. Maybe if your character starts to panic they could use those hallucinations like in the first game. I think it could add to the horror effect.. but that's just my opinion
Maxxthepenguin's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 13:03
Maxxthepenguin
Nintendo is better at trolling Nintendo fanboys than even Jim Sterling.
Discarded Couch Sandwich's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 13:18
Discarded Couch Sandwich
Well I cant knock them for putting a bit of regard to peoples health. Its certainly not a route that i'm interested in, but it might be something that some Wii owners may find useful.

Anyway..

*ignores and goes back to looking for new Metroid and Mario and Golden Sun stuff*
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 13:28
RonBurgandy2010
Nintendo wants to see if people are actually playing after they buy a Wii.
Kaspar's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 13:59
Kaspar
OH GAWWWD
hjd uk's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 14:54
hjd uk
Part of Nintendo's Fit / health thing. Japan i think would be more open to this, they have toilets that diagnose your 'emissions' after all - the wii is being sheparded towards a multifunctional, household, interactive 'device' more than a "games console".

One for the collectors closest I guess, should fit easily next to Robby the Robot and the Virtal Boy.
HiddenAHB's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 18:50
HiddenAHB
RUN TO THE HILLS PEOPLE!!
NINTENDO IS WATCHING EVERY MOVE WE MAKE!
RUN!!!!
FriskyApple's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/02/2009 19:57
FriskyApple
. . . ok.

I am willing to entertain the idea that a survival horror game could make some really awesome uses for this, BUT the thing looks very obtrusive. I would have trouble holding the wii controller and pressing buttons with this on one of my fingers.
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/03/2009 01:28
ArrestedDeveloper
That was more uninteresting than the Ubisoft tween section.
Magic Whiskey's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/04/2009 10:25
Magic Whiskey
Grandmas can simulate skydiving in Wii Sports Resort, but because Nintendo thought that it might be TOO EXTREME, they'll also monitor your blood pressure at the same time. Coupons for Lipitor included.
Springsteen's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/05/2009 20:02
Springsteen
If it actually bit your finger everytime you screwed up, things could get interesting. But I think it doesn't match all that well with Iwata's "rew-laxay-chan" from the "stuh-ress-ful werld".
Black Nexus's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2009 01:00
Black Nexus
WHAT POURPOSE COULD THIS SEREVE, there is no way to make something like this even remotly fun, scratch that you couldnt make this remotly useful. what were they thinking.
wherewulf1's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2009 04:04
wherewulf1
On the packaging it should read: Warning- Your Wii must be connected to the internet to allow the device to contact the mortuary in case you die of boredom...
Tenumberoneguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/16/2009 14:06
Tenumberoneguy
Now Nintendo knows how many people die playing wii in a year! =D
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