Beat you with my rhythm

Games using motion-sensor technology, requiring the player to get physical and actually move to play, aren't new and there have been some fun and extremely bizarre titles in the past. Rhythm-action games, or to give them their original, Japanese moniker, 'Bemani' are games that have revolutionised parties everywhere.

Probably the best known Bemani title is the insanely popular Dance Dance Revolution, spawning countless sequels and a cult following on YouTube. The dancemat controller is a neat idea, featuring four direction buttons that must be tapped with your foot in time with the music. It's extremely simple but sold in its millions, turning your average cocktail party into a drunken Run DMC video.

Going even further from the norm, you have Sega's charming Samba Di Amigo, which comes packaged with a pair of maracas. The aim is to help monkey-pal Amigo shake along to several brilliant tunes by moving your arms in the directions that pop up on screen. Further proving that Bemani is back in style, Amigo is getting a rerelease on the Wii later this year, so if you’re into your rhythm-action games, you will adore this one. Beatmania on PsOne is another shining example of bizarre bemani; Using a mini turntable controller, you must play DJ as you stab, scratch and mix classic tunes to perfection. This is a hoot and fans of Guitar Hero will love the inventive controller.

These are just three of the games which helped bolster the Bemani name, now welcoming a new title into its fold…

This latest offering from Nintendo is a real masterstroke, something which developers all over the world will be kicking themselves over for not coming up with it first. Nintendo have finally cracked their age old problem of being viewed as one of the main reasons kids get fat. Dust off your spandex joggers, wring out those sweatbands and lace up your Hi-Tec trainers 'cause Wiifit is here!

Described on the official Nintendo website as an 'exercise game' you would be forgiven for thinking the company had gone totally mental, but trust us when we say this is going to be massive. The game disc comes packaged with a Wii Balance Board which measures your center of gravity, balance, weight and posture. As a result, you can do it all: push-ups, yoga stances and even play addictive Wii-based games such as snowboarding, where you responsively steer by shifting your weight to turn. How neat does that sound? Retailing at a rather generous £69.99, the game has already sold out once, and could prove a doozy to get hold of. Though if you want to bring an entirely new physical slant to your gaming, WiiFit is it.

For the non-believer who thinks this is a glorified dancemat and will fizzle like some naff fad, spare a thought for how it could be used in non-casual titles. Playing a game like Call of Duty using the Wiimote and Nunchuck, while standing on the board would be a riot. Picture your character running into a hail of gunfire. While running for cover, you duck, weave and lean your way past shots and incoming mortars by using the board, while returning fire with the Wimmote and Nunchuck. The balance board has the potential to open up a world of possibilities games in terms of control methods and interaction.

It has to be said, this is another shining example of Nintendo's innovative mindset at work. Could anyone have predicted this would exist some ten to fifteen years ago? Unlikely. And now you have to wonder what Nintendo will come up with next…