Nintendo Donates Wii Party Packs to YMCA

In an effort to keep families entertained while they exercise, Nintendo of America today announced that it is donating 100 Wii party packs to YMCA chapters across the United States. YMCA expects the system's motion-based controls--in particular, the golf, boxing, bowling, tennis, and baseball activities that comprise the system's pack-in game Wii Sports--to help parents and children form both strong and health-conscious relationships in its Adventure Guides programs. The Wii and Wii Sports will also see use in YMCA's upcoming Healthy Kids Day events on Saturday, April 14. "Consumers all over America are telling us the Wii helps them to stay active and fit and also gives them another reason to be together as a family," explained Nintendo senior marketing vice president George Harrison (pictured left). "Wii has quickly become a part of America's fitness plan, from bowling leagues for active seniors to kids and parents who sweat through Wii Sports pentathlons together." Along with Konami's Dance Dance Revolution, which has seen implementation into public school districts and multiple fitness faciliities, the Wii is fast becoming another prominent public example of combining exercise with video games, which many have dubbed "exer-gaming." Earlier this week, a personal trainer made headlines through the use of Wii Sports in his fitness program.