The Heart Association Supports Wii

A little over a month ago it was announced that the Wii console, Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort are now endorsed by the American Heart Association (AHA), and will feature the logo on their boxes. This is a milestone for gaming consoles with the Wii being the first to ever be granted such an association.

Since 2006, the Wii has been the leader of gaming consoles in terms of getting people off of the couch and moving. This all started with one of my favorite games for the Wii: Wii Sports. My favorites are bowling and boxing because they really get you moving and you can feel the burn of a satisfying work out while having a blast. Then Last Summer it was time for Wii Sports Resort which featured awesome games like Biking, Archery and Dog Frisbee.

But in term of exercise, the Wii Fit and the Wii Fit Plus is perfect because it combines fitness with fun and is designed for every one of all abilities. This helps you reach your fitness goals by playing mini-games like Hula Hooping or playing a goalie in soccer.

The Wii and its game arsenal goes perfect with the American Heart Association’s theme of having Americans get off the couch and exercise while having a lot of fun with friends and family. It would make sense that the Wii is endorsed by the American Heart Association, and will feature the logo on their boxes.

Although, it also may be a marketing ploy as ABC News points out, other “exercise-linked” products, such as most sports equipment, do not have the logo.

It’s true that Nintendo’s Wii has inspired many people to exercise daily but many believe the decision by the AHA has more to do with the bottom line than healthy activity. Clyde Yancy, President of the American Heart Association assures ABC News that, "What we're doing is promoting a message that's incredibly important..."

Here’s the catch, Nintendo has promised to give $1.5 million over the next three years to the AHA.

Is Nintendo buying the seal of approval?

Yancy told ABC News that “The logo’s not for sale.” Still, some may cry foul at reports, but the AHA is in full PR mode denying any underhandedness.

I will leave it up to you, as the consumer, to decide whether or not The Heart Association supporting the Wii is a good idea or a dirty back-room deal.

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