Calendars Out for Mario Kart, Wii Fit Dates

Nintendo gives out details for some of its biggest games coming to Europe this spring.

Wii owners in Europe have had to deal with delays of some major games already and the lack of firm release dates for key games certainly isn't helping. Nintendo put right at least part of that this week.

The company on Wednesday confirmed final release dates for two of its biggest games: Mario Kart Wii and Wii Fit.

Of the two, Mario Kart Wii arrives first, on 11 March. The game will be bundled with the new Wii steering wheel, which houses the Wii remote and, according to Nintendo, "allows complete novices to compete with ease and comfort".

There's no need to rely on the wheel though. There are five different ways to play, including using the Classic controller or the GameCube controller.

Like Mario Kart DS, the Wii debut for the series is fully playable online using Nintendo's Wii Connect service. The game also includes bikes for the first time to go along with the 16 new tracks that complement the 16 classic tracks included.

Nintendo's other game out this spring turns the very idea of control on its head.

Wii Fit, out in Europe on 25 April, uses the Wii Balance Board, a device that looks like two lightweight-scales side-by-side. It measures weight distribution, allowing you to play minigames or just follow the simple exercises demonstrated on screen. There are also muscle workouts and yoga too.

Wii Fit has been a big hit in its native Japan. The game was released there in January and has already sold one-and-a-half million units.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo