If they get a segment on Oprah, John Lucas will have his prediction come true.

Part of the magic of WiiFit is that it will sell to a completely new demographic - pushing not only software, but hardware. And its inheriantly social - meaning that people pop over to your place, you pull it out, they play it - then head out the next day and buy it.

Hence it spreads like a virus - in a similar fashion to WiiSports.

It also will be marketed in completely new ways, and to completely new segments of the population. Fitness/sports stores could start carrying it. As would home gym equipment stores. Heck, they could even have them setup in selected gyms (to attract new members).

It started with WiiSports - "You can play games, and get some exercise in".

With WiiFit - you can exercise at home, have a machine track your progress, compare with others, have suggestions thrown at you... and have FUN at the same time. Also note that Ninty have still been pretty quiet on the networking features the game will support.

Its pretty scary that it also doubles as a new controller. Surfing, skating, skiing, snowboarding games will never be the same again.

...

BTW, I almost feel like Nintendo should have some referral program running. I *swear* my household alone is responsible for at LEAST 5 of our friends/visitors purchasing a Wii. The most recent case happened last weekend. A friend of my partner came over with her kids (6yr old boy, 10yr girl?). The boy has since traded in his PSP + GBA + games to purchase a Wii, and I am supposed to head over to set it up tomorrow night.

(Nintendo should be paying me, I swear it...)

When WiiFit hits, all semblance of wanting a Wii to "play games" goes out the window. It starts appealing to consumers who have no interest in games (or other forms of digital entertainment) - basically the exact opposite demographic.

Nintendo will be making a solid $50 (minus retailers cut) for every unit of WiiFit sold (inc. controller). It could do 10m in the first 12months - and has a real chance of being the biggest seller in 2008 (except maybe that it launches in Japan in '07). That's another 500m for Ninty's coffers - from a single product.

Quick side post before I head to bed...

Everyone remember how "1080 - White Storm" (think that was the name) flunked on the GC?

Wouldn't an enhanced version of this - for the Wii, and using the Wii Balance Board (+ Mii's?) - just make for the perfect companion game for the WiiFit release?

I would almost certainly have to buy both if they released at the same time. That would make up for lost sales quite nicely.

(or an updated version of WaveRace... a scary thought)

it is new and looks very promising--i see it well placed ina shootergame--running and making jumping motions to get cover

wave race on the balance board?....interesting, jet-skiis doe work on the principal of balance i suppose, but that would be really strange without a proper handle to get hold of.

 @mesoteto, that would be incredibly tiring though.

LOL, wonder how Jack Thompson will think about that around that time. Bloody, violent games are gone, next stop, Final Fantasy!

Me and my girlfriend are working out with Yourself!Fitness. WiiFit would be the logical next step for us.

I think where some people get it wrong, is that they think of WiiFit for people who go to the gym and work out a lot. I think it's more for all of us who _should_ go to the gym, but think it's way too boring. And that market is gigantic.

The times I do go to the gym, I try to get all the numbers flashing, little dots chasing each other on the display etc. Anything to keep me from realizing I'm doing exercise.

The physical interaction adds a lot for me. I play some Stepmania on the dance mat, but I'd never do it with a game pad.

 That actually makes a lot of sense to me, I was trying to figure out how it replaced the gym or the treadmill at home. What you are saying is for you it does not, it is more for people looking for lighter exercise that would not exercise at all otherwise. I have a nephew that falls right in that category that already has a Wii so I think I just found hist birthday gift next year.

So what do you think fun elements will be compared to doing an execise DVD or watching the numbers on the treadmill? Looking at the previews of it the interactivity is minimal, mostly it looks like you are just doing what the thing says while standing on it. I guess that is more interactive then a DVD, but not much, and no more so then an eliptical or stair machine. Also it cannot give as much feedback as a $20 heart rate montior and a basic scale when it comes to how much progress you are making or how intense your workouts are. 

@shams

The thing I am having a hard time seeing still is why the person that does not have the wii already and is not a gamer would put $300+ down for what it offers. That same $300 could get you a year of yoga classes with a real instructor giving you personalized feedback. Or it could buy you a decent piece of traditional home exercise equipment. Is it some magic combination that makes them able to stick with it because it is in the home and there is some interactivity, even if it is limited and automated?

nintendo gets a spot on oprah showcasing the wii and the balance board

and she LIKES IT....

john lucas would be WRONG... it'd sell more than what he said.

if she loves it- guaranteed US sales of biblical proportions...

Answers:

1. It will be pretty fun...probably not as much fun as Wii Sports, but better than any home exercise gadget.

2. It's fun for the same reason as Wii Sports - I get to do some physical activity and play a video game at the same time. I also love graphs and data, like the WiiSports fitness tests, and I think WiiFit will take that much further.

3. Yes I'll use it for exercise.

4. Like billalias says, the mistake people make is thinking that WiiFit is not as good as the gym. This is for people who simply don't go to the gym. I've never been to a gym in my life...so WiiFit is not going to make me an athelete, but it'll put me in better shape than doing no exercise at all, and I don't have to display my unimpressive physique in public. 

5. The target audience is anyone who doesn't go to a gym or do other regular physical activity, but wants to be healthier/thinner. See: fad diets in women's magazines and exercise gadgets on TV.  Specifically I think Nintendo should try to target the baby boomers and maybe young women (especially those who just had babies - no time for the gym, want to get back into pre-baby shape at home).

6. I don't know how many games will use the balance board. I'm hoping for a new 1080, and I bet Activision will try to put next year's Tony Hawk on it, but overall, it will probably be a small percentage. That's okay as long as Nintendo can bundle the game and the board for under $100.