The host of AM talk show “Shape Up America”, Michael Torchia, plans to file a class-action lawsuit against Nintendo. In his latest claim to fame, Torchia maintains that Nintendo should stop selling Wii games like the Wii Fit until they make “important changes” to the products like including a warning that the games are “potentially dangerous”.
Torchia believes that Nintendo is brainwashing people by advertising that the Wii Fit is a safe and effective way to become physically fit. He states, “…Nintendo is contributing to the epidemic of obesity. Young and old are putting away their gym clothes and shying away from going outdoors to play sports, because the addictive appeal to the Wii game products. Just as the tobacco companies created such a false image of their products and hid the potential dangers, so is Nintendo.”
The talk show guru equates Nintendo and video games to cigarettes. He also assumes that the general public is utterly clueless. For starters, the Wii Fit does tell users to warm up and stretch out before beginning any exercise. Literature that comes with the Wii Fit warns of injuries that may be sustained if one does not warm up properly or use the equipment properly. Nintendo’s website also posts guidelines for the safe use of the Wii and all Nintendo manufactured Wii peripherals. Plus, before playing each game, instructions are given on properly using the wrist strap, to the point that it’s actually annoying.
“Not only are people getting injured due to a lack of instruction, they are also developing improper stroke patterns from long term use of the sports games which can potentially effect their ability to excel in those specific activities later in life,” says Torchia.
Anyone who has ever had a PE class in their life knows that Torchia’s statements are lacking in common sense. Wii Fit should not replace proper exercise and nutrition, but it is a unique paring of video games and activity. Nintendo has made warnings clear and apparent, so if one chooses not to follow them, Nintendo shouldn’t be held responsible. This brings up the question, would Torchia also sue Electronic Arts? EA has reported that they’re making “EA Sports Active”, a game for the Wii combining aerobics, nutrition, and resistance training, for release in Spring 2009.
Given it’s massive success, do you really see Nintendo pulling Wii Fit from store shelves? And do they need to?
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