Your gut is probably bulging the size of a bowling ball after stuffing yourself with turkey the last few days.  Don’t worry, there’s help.  I can show you plenty of games that can help you lose the holiday weight right in the comfort of your home.  Just make sure that you’re not pounding down donuts and hamburgers while playing these games.

Wii Sports
The ever popular Wii Sports comes bundled with a number of mini-games that include Tennis, Baseball, Bowling, Golf, and Boxing.  These mini-games feel more like tech-demos, but is very fun and intuitive for first time Wii players.  Most newcomers will burn a lot of calories since they will be standing and exerting all of their energy in every swing.  However, once you learn the gameplay nuances, you’ll end up slouching in your couch and lazily flicking your wrist effortlessly to get the same results.  Hopefully Wii Sports will be used as a template for other Mario Sports games.  Give use Mario Tennis already!

Wii Fit
This is the pinnacle of all fitness games.  Do not…I repeat…do not buy Wii Fit expecting it to be a game.  It’s more like a fitness program than anything else.  The main thing that stands Wii fit apart from other fitness games is the balance board.  Not only is the board used for exercising, it also measures your weight, balance, and body mass index (BMI).  Typically, BMI tells you if you’re underweight, normal, or obese.  However, if Wii Fit calls you a fat-ass, keep in mind that it doesn’t count other factors like your body type and muscle mass so it’s very misleading.  I only found that the Yoga and Strength training to be particularly useful since it does a good job working out your core.  However, the Aerobic exercises are pure garbage since running in one place doesn’t make your blood pumping enough to be effective.  The beauty of Wii Fit is that it keeps track of all your progress, so you can clearly see how much improvement you’ve made.  Just keep in mind that the balance board only works if you weigh less than 350lbs.  If you weigh more than that… it’s probably a good idea to get a gym pass.

Wario Ware Smooth Moves
The entire Wario Ware series is one of the strangest games that you’ll ever see, and this entry is no different.  I mentioned “mini-games” before, but Smooth Moves is all about “micro-games”.  It’s really hard to describe Smooth Moves because in one moment, you’re doing the hula hoop, and the next, you’re pulling a banana out of a man’s nose.  But it’s basically a series of random 10 second games that truly tests your reflex and endurance.  The highlight of the game is simply the end boss.  What other game has a boss that forces you to perform synchronized dancing while thrusting your pelvis in techo music?  Ah…good times.

Eye Toy: Play
Finally, a non-Wii title.  The idea of the Eye Toy is that there’s a camera connected to the PS2 that allows you to be projected in the television.  With yourself in the as the main character, you can use your body to manipulate the whatever that’s onscreen.  For example, in the Kung Foo mini-game, you use your hands to fight off wave after wave of ninjas.  This may not sound like much, but after a couple minutes of waving your arms like a maniac, I can guarantee sweaty arm pits.  Like Wii-Sports and Smooth Moves, Eye Toy: Play is always a hit at any party.

Dance Dance Revolution
Oh the infamous Dance Dance Revolution (DDR).  This is the series that made music gaming popular.  If it wasn’t for DDR, Guitar Hero probably wouldn’t have gotten nearly as much fame as we see it today.  As the name suggests, this is purely a dancing game.  Although, instead of teaching you how to dance, it really teaches you how to step awkwardly as you time your feet with the arrows onscreen.  Most of the time, you look like a complete fool playing this game, but it’s really a great aerobic exercise that can prevent your arteries from being clogged.  If it weren’t for this game, a good friend of mine would be morbidly obese right now (you know who you are).  Thank you DDR for saving his life. =)

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