Runnerville

Two of my favorite things are video games and running. (There, I said it.) Actually, that’s not entirely true; sometimes I loathe running and, despite a recent attempt to re-ignite my love affair with the gaming world, I haven’t played video games “seriously” since college. But boy did I have an obsession for both a decade ago. True story: in college I developed tendentious in both thumbs from playing video games. I had to wear splints. But the rewards were well worth the consequences - I beat Mike Tyson, I completed GoldenEye 007 on all three levels in two weeks, I ran Bo Jackson for 894 yards in one game of Tecmo Bowl, and I absolutely killed it on Parappa the Rappa. My running accomplishments weren’t as exceptional nor rewarding, but as a sub-9:00 steeplechaser I wasn’t a slouch. So it was with both lust and dismay that I read Nintendo’s announcement of the Wii Fit.

Designed for fitness and fun, the Wii Fit clearly isn’t for serious exercisers. But maybe it combines enough convenience, innovation, and fun in a potentially social environment to get couch potatoes moving. Not outside or, for that matter, off the couch - but just moving. The Wii Fit could become the gateway drug to more serious exercise, like . . . oh, I don’t know, running?

While the Wii Fit will be applauded by many, I’ll simply say, “Well done Nintendo. Good invention, but of no use to me.” Sort of like an Ab Roller. See, any serious runner/gamer understands that the Wii Fit is simply a watered-down version of the greatest running/gaming invention of all time (revealed below). Like most companies that get involved in the running world, Nintendo must have looked at the market and said, “Hey, forget serious runners. The real money is in penguins and plodders.”

Fine. Good business decision. I can’t argue with it. But I can yearn for the days of old and simply ask: Why can’t you bring back the greatest running/gaming invention ever?

• The Toni & Matt Show #17 - Vin Lananna - July 9th, 2008
• LetsRun.com Eugene '08 - June 30th, 2008
• The Toni & Matt Show #16 - June 17th, 2008
• USOC to USATF: Change Now! - June 14th, 2008
• The Toni & Matt Show #15 - June 11th, 2008