GameSpot writes: "It wasn't that long ago that the words "fitness" and "videogames", when spoken in the same sentence together, would engender a hearty guffaw and an appreciative handshake from the person whose day you just made with your funny, funny joke. These days, thanks to games like Wii Fit, it's not unusual to hear people talking about breaking a sweat each time they fire up their game console. Looking to ride the coattails of the virtual fitness regimen craze, Namco Bandai and publisher Atari are getting ready to release Familiy Trainer on the Wii, which we got to check out today during a brief demo.
Despite the name, Family Trainer doesn't actually teach you and your kin how to be a family, instead it's a game packed full of quick minigames designed to get you and your family and friends working out together. Instead of the Wii Fit balance board, Family Trainer will ship with its own pad that looks similar to something you'd find with a DDR console game. The game will make use of your created Miis and draws its inspiration from the sillier side of Wii Fit, rather than from that game's more austere yoga regime. Here, you'll take part in log jumps, or sprint races, or mine cart adventures; things that parents can break a sweat to, while the kids are laughing their fool heads off."
Kotaku writes: "Namco Bandai Wii title Active Life: Outdoor Challenge (aka Family Trainer: Athletic World in Japan and Family Trainer in Europe) has sold over a million copies worldwide.
The game is bundled with a Power Pad style matt, which was also originally developed by Bandai for Famicom title Family Trainer. The updated pad and game first went on sale May 29, 2008 in Japan. It went on sale in North America and Europe this past September."
Namco Bandai should have made a game that simply works. "Cheap" is the recurring impression. A handful of mini ideas have been extended out over too many branches, like butter on too much bread. As it is now, there is no real reason to put money on this.
Tigervamp writes:
"If you can't get hold of Wii-Fit as it's sold out everywhere and you're desperately after something similar then Family Trainer might well fill the gap. I recommend that you consider Samba de Amigo which is a more enjoyable alternative or, better yet, if you can hold off a little longer you'll begin to see a great deal of similar games on the market and many of them will be Family Trainer's superior."
