Wii Fit Plus, new Mario hitting Japan in '09 - Report

E3 2009: Nikkei.net's English service says new version of fitness-game phenomenon will ship in fall across Pacific; Japanese version hints at new Mario game during second half of year.

No word on whether Wii Fit Plus will have a new balance board.

Nintendo's E3 Press Conference isn't until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2. However, like its rival Sony, the game giant appears to have had some of its surprises spoiled by the many-tentacled beast of the 24-hour Internet news cycle.

This morning, the respected subscription Japanese news service Nikkei.net issued two reports about Wii Fit Plus. As had been widely rumored, the game will reportedly be a new version of Nintendo's wildly popular fitness title, which ships with the Wii Balance Board peripheral.

According to Nikkei's English-language edition, Wii Fit Plus will arrive this fall in Japan, where Wii Fit went on sale five months ahead of its North American launch. The service reports that the game "will enable users to compete with each other over the Internet. It will also offer gentle exercises for the elderly, and will respond to player inputs more precisely than the current version." No mention is made of an exact date, price, or whether the reference to more precise sensors means that it will come with an improved balance board.

It's probably too soon to hope for Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Meanwhile, Nikkei's Japanese language service also has an article touting Wii Fit Plus. However, it makes mention of a "new" Mario game arriving in Japan by the end of the year. No details were included about which of the numerous Mario franchises the game belongs to, or when exactly it might arrive. However, the subsequent sentence says that Nintendo is hoping to "bolster" the Wii--sales of which are flatlining in Japan--which hints that the Mario game would be for the console, and not the DS or DSi handheld.

218 Comments

  • SQUALL20XX

    Posted Jun 9, 2009 11:51 am PT

    Ho Ho Ho, Mario Galaxy 2

  • SSBFan12

    Posted Jun 6, 2009 8:03 pm PT

    It has to be Super Mario Galaxy 2 to hit japan.

  • asian_pride69

    Posted Jun 3, 2009 9:23 pm PT

    2D feature eh? I'm definitely getting Super Mario Galaxy 2

  • PSFreak1

    Posted Jun 3, 2009 6:43 am PT

    zzzz... zzzz... zzzz....

  • pakhair

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 6:52 pm PT

    Goooooooooooooooddddddddddd

  • ultimte3ricecrm

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 2:18 pm PT

    I never was too interested in buying Wii Fit. And this hint about a new Mario game makes me wonder...
    maybe Nintendo will make a Mario Wiiware game?

  • toonguy123

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 1:41 pm PT

    ya wii fit was not an enjoyable experience for me it was kinda boring but the female instructor was good lol. i really hope they make super mario galaxy alot more difficult than the first i beat the first in like 3 days.

  • gmax Site moderator

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 8:54 am PT

    I don't know anyone with any plans of buying a Wii Fit.

  • smash_legend_DK

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 8:25 am PT

    if it's sports, I'll be SOOO mad

    that really won't help sales any

    but what would be cool is a mix of all the 3D Mario games, lyk you could explore the mushroom kingdom, peach's castle, dalpheno island AND go into space
    but it better have less invisible walls

  • chocolate1325

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 7:35 am PT

    I really hope its a platformer 2D or 3D because all Mario platformers are good.

  • CapedCod

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 7:32 am PT

    Just as long as Mario isn't cleaning again. Although I really wouldn't mind a new Luigi's Mansion. I think it would translate well with the Wiimote.

  • Sonicpower451

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 7:11 am PT

    Oh crap! Hopefully the new mario game is a new Mario Galaxy! That game rocked!

  • DMLSLAT

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 9:44 pm PT

    They said "new" guys, not remake. And Gamespot's right, it's sadly too early to pray for Mario Galaxy 2 (one of my faves on Wii). Hopefully it's not something lame like Mario basketball or whatever...

  • smash_legend_DK

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 5:36 pm PT

    we also need a remake of Zelda OoT (mabey bundled with MM)

  • smash_legend_DK

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 5:33 pm PT

    a 3D remake of Super Mario World?!?
    that's my dream

    whatever it is, it better have other characters than just Mario and Luigi.
    mabey Wario Waluigi and Peach, and all able to ride Yoshi

  • thps48

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 4:35 pm PT

    "...numerous Mario franchise," ha ha. Mario's the gaming equivalent of a rabid adulterer...

  • MAT0R0

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 3:19 pm PT

    I thought Nintendo makes only 1 3D Mario Platformer, each game console. But this time 2? Hopefully Mario 2 wii going to be good.

  • DarkNeoBahamut

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 2:08 pm PT

    ...........mmmkay

  • chuckytiffany

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 12:42 pm PT

    if you have a wii, you should get twilight princess & resident evil 4. there the best games i have besides the original soul calibur.

  • lightning_kf

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 11:48 am PT

    danielwd:

    How often has Nintendo released a "bad" Mario game?

  • yoshishadow

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 11:47 am PT

    i think that gonna be wii fit with mario

  • danielwd

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 10:40 am PT

    if there trying to boost wii sales then it will probebly be a good mario

  • lightning_kf

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 10:34 am PT

    A new Mario, huh? That was obvious from the get-go.

    It could be the sequel to Super Mario Galaxy or a new Paper Mario, we'll just have to wait and see.

  • Get_Shorty

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 10:01 am PT

    Good thing I haven't gotten the regular Wii Fit yet now I'll wait for this one.

  • Decepticon_11

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 9:48 am PT

    I love to see a new Super Mario on Wii

  • evildevil97

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 9:39 am PT

    "New Mario" is pretty vague. Probably Mario Party 9.

  • Unlimitedbigdad posted Jun 1, 2009 9:35 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Unlimitedbigdad

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 9:35 am PT (hide)

    I've never played mario on wii. But Aren't you people get tired of playing mario!?

  • borninvincible

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 9:29 am PT

    this is good. i need more games to get back into my Wii.

  • Leakybubbles

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 8:52 am PT

    i don't HATE the wii like alot of people do. i like all the consoles. but what nintendo needs to do is make a new console with a normal controller...

  • isaacmj

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 8:46 am PT

    The first Wii Fit sold like hell so making a new one is a good idea, still I don't belive that thing of a new Mario game, maybe they will anounce it and release it at the end of 2010

  • nerd_assassin

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 8:45 am PT

    @taylormadederek

    Pretty ironic bashing there. Heehee.

    I want a Wii pretty bad, you can't deny that under the pile of so-called shovelwares are golden 1st party and 3rd party exclusives waiting to be played...

    Hope some good news will justify a purchase of Wii as of the moment...right now I'm satisfied with what I have...(DS, PS3, PSP)

  • Kratos_OMEGA posted Jun 1, 2009 8:34 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Kratos_OMEGA

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 8:34 am PT (hide)

    Nintendo's e3 conference is going to be CRAP...again.

  • herviross_2

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 8:05 am PT

    I would be more excited for a Zelda game...

  • Brawl578

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 7:53 am PT

    I'm hoping for a Twilight Princess sequel if they announce a new Zelda game.

  • jimmy_from_mars

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 7:48 am PT

    Wow,that makes me jealous. As an overall nintendo/n64/gamecube fan who didn't buy the wii and bought a 360 and convinced my sister to buy a PS3.... i really really crave mario and zelda . I've played galaxy on my cousin's wii and its the most awesome thing ever. If the rumous of another mario game are true ,then I just won't be able to resist......at least the wii justifies to be purchased now..

  • Brawl578

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 7:44 am PT

    @taylormadederek

    It's hard to take your Nintendo bashing seriously when you have a Mario thumbnail image...

  • jordis5

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 6:57 am PT

    Nintendo the Mario game better be wii and announce a new Zelda you will have much more money i promise you

  • noclue_27

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 6:41 am PT

    New Zelda game pleaseee

  • MrDouglas

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 6:22 am PT

    Can't see them coming out with a new balance board already, it's a fine product that work very well and would be hard to improve significantly, which can't be said of the accompanying Wii Fit software that was a very mixed bag of good and bad/missing features, especially compared to the excellent EA Sports Active, and so that's probably why they step up the game with an improved version of the Wii Fit software.

  • taylormadederek posted Jun 1, 2009 6:15 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    taylormadederek

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 6:15 am PT (hide)

    Nintendo still makes games???? Since when???

    I thought they just made toys to fondle little boys and tween girls.

  • Sharhan96

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 5:56 am PT

    ok.. something that would help the WII bolster its sales is to have another new nintendo character be with mario. u know for nintendo to have more fans. like another face for nintendo, something that is only released for the Wii with different stories, like mario. So yeah we want more good games, but something NEW.

  • pitchan

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 5:51 am PT

    I guess ur right, I rly dun wan to be dissapointed by Mario, the series of games has been good overall since 1986(though some ppl say galaxy and sunshine sux)

  • Gamer4Iife

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 5:27 am PT

    Don't get your hopes up, people. 'A new Mario' could be anything.

  • pitchan

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 5:24 am PT

    OMG I hate HavQ-san, dun let nintendo see that comment!!! Anyway there already is a mario game coming out for ds-mario and luigi rpg 3

  • shamarke

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 5:13 am PT

    super mario!!!

  • HavQ-san

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 5:02 am PT

    Aww, I was hoping for a DS Mario. Been a while since one of those was released. Oh well, I guess this'll be a good reason (beside NMH2) to wipe all the dust off my Wii.

  • aphexchris

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 4:56 am PT

    Me and the missus are in dire need of a Mario Kart Wii 2!!!

  • matma7

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 3:48 am PT

    It's plainly obvious that wii fit plus will make use of the new motion plus add on, i very much doubt that a new board will be realeased (not for a year or so, if at all).

    And a new Mario game - hmm, Galaxy wasnt that long ago, anyone think this may be a compliation of past Mario games? Hopefully it'll be a super polished 2d platformer.

    As for the news, this is only 2 little, leaked snipets of information, i'm sure there'll be a few happy supprises for the faithfull.

  • lordoflol

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 3:48 am PT

    Hmmm didn`t they say last year that there was a new Zelda and a Mario game in the works ? anyway Shigeru Miyamoto better not wrench us over this time ! I have been playing an nintendo console sinse 1993 sticked through the good (SNES) and hard times (Gamecube underrated system). After all Nintendo wouldn`t be where they are today without their strong and long living fanbase.

  • shinian

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 3:34 am PT

    If the new Mario is as good as Galaxy then I'm all in.

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