For the first time, video game giant Nintendo has partnered with a major sports retailer. Last week, Sports Authority began launch of its "Wii Fit Experience," which lets shoppers go hands-on (feet-on, more accurately) with the exercise game.
Colorado-based Sports Authority operates 450 stores. President David Campisi told the video game news site Kotaku that the deal has been in the works for about a year and a half.
Instead of just dropping Wii consoles and games into their store, Campisi knew that his stores had to treat the game and it's equipment the same as any other piece of exercise equipment.
So he had the stores carrying the equipment set up special Wii Fit areas and train some of their employees to explain and demonstrate the gaming equipment.
"They typically train people on weights and treadmills and now they're showing people how to use the Wii Fit," he said.
The kick-off event took place at a store in Torrance, Calif., and was marked by a visit from "The Biggest Loser" star Jillian Michaels, who helped demonstrate the Wii Fit to approximately 100 shoppers.
