The Wii Olympics

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Bernard Kirk, an active trainer for the Wii Olympics which will take place later this summer. Together we discussed childhood obesity, music, girls, and of course…the Nintendo Wii.

ReynsGems: Thanks for stopping by today, Bernard. I wanted to talk to you more about this Nintendo Wii craze…

Bernard: What about it?

ReynsGems: What’s with all these attempts by Nintendo to produce video games that actively allow children to engage in physical activity while playing a video game? Doesn’t that send a mixed message?

Bernard: Quite the contrary, video games are the only way we can reach kids today.

ReynsGems: Whatever happened to getting outside and shooting hoops or something?

Bernard: We do have NBA 2K8.

ReynsGems: Not exactly what I was getting at. I mean shouldn’t video games and physical fitness remain two separate things. I thought the whole purpose of video games was to sit down, eat Cheetos, and relax?

Bernard: Not anymore. It won’t be long before Playstation creates a game that actually makes you feel physical pain after being shot by an alien.

ReynsGems: Not sure I’ll buy that one. Quick question and answer…are video games contributing to childhood obesity and ultimately the end of the world?

Bernard: No on the first part, possibly yes on the second.

ReynsGems: I do notice a lot of chubby boys and girls now of days. Any chance Nintendo might introduce a feature that would allow you to directly order food for delivery while still playing Guitar Hero III?

Bernard: That would be sweet!

ReynsGems: Tell me about this Wii Olympics?

Bernard: Well it essentially is a competition between athletes engaging through intense physical exertion.

ReynsGems: By physical exertion you mean quickly moving your fingers on a controller?

Bernard: Something like that.

—

Later in the interview, Bernard invited me over to his home to play Fight Night on the Nintendo Wii.

I was surprised how tired I was after a couple of rounds.

—

ReynsGems: You are right, the Wii is addicting.

Bernard: Told you.

ReynsGems: For an eight year old, do you get a lot of chicks playing the Wii.

Bernard: It depends.

ReynsGems: Bernard, I think that fight was unfair. You’re obviously in a much bigger weight class then I am.

Bernard: That’s true.

ReynsGems: Thanks Bernard for a great day. I’m going to hit up Best Buy on the way home, max out my already maxed out credit card, and purchase a Nintendo Wii.

Bernard: Sure.