5 Wii games that could be hazardous to your health

The Wii is this generation’s family friendly system. It’s easy to use, has a sufficient game library and offers a unique multiplayer experience. But there’s a dark side lurking in the wings.

Many popular Wii games can also be quite dangerous, if someone doesn’t know how to properly play. Careless players can wind up with headaches, motion sickness,

Today, we’re taking a look at five popular and well known Wii games which, in some way, could be hazardous to your health. Bear in mind that, if one plays properly, that these games are all perfectly safe ways to spend your time. Also, some players may be more susceptible to the possible dangers these games may present than others.

Bit.Trip Beat

Bit.Trip Beat is one of the more unique and popular WiiWare titles, a stylish Pong style game where bullets of all sorts shoot from one side of the screen towards the paddle. It’s also quite a musical adventure, with the pings and other noises creating some pretty nifty techno music.

But all those flashing, multicolor, fast moving lights can be quite disorienting. I usually can only play for about 15 minutes before my eyes start aching and I feel a headache coming on. I can’t help but think that Bit.Trip Beat is the kind of game that could trigger seizures in prone individuals.

Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party

Slippery dance mat on tile or hardwood flooring + wii remote moves + overconfident individual who’s never played DDR = disaster.

Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party can be a great game, if you know what you’re doing. People who set up the dance mat properly, on a carpeted surface where it won’t skid or fastening it in place with some duct tape, and who are aware of their limits will have no problem. Show-offs who think they can master the game right away are just asking for trouble.

Super Mario Galaxy

I pride myself on being one of those people who can ride any amusement park ride without feeling even slightly sick. I’ve never had any problem riding in a boat, car or plane. And yet, I can’t play Super Mario Galaxy for more than a half hour without feeling sick to my stomach.

It’s a great game with a lot of potential, but only if you can play and endure the shifting perspectives and awkward camera.

Wii Fit

Wii Fit offers the same potential for danger as the Dance Dance Revolution games. Overconfident, inexperienced individuals will try to play/perform outside of their comfort ranges, resulting in some kind of minor injury.

In this case, the Yoga exercises may end up giving people the most trouble. People may just jump into more difficult exercises, thinking that Yoga is easy and anyone can do it. However, if they start doing more advanced stances without proper training and stretching, they could be looking forward to some serious muscle aches.

Wii Sports

Ah, Wii Sports. The one Wii game almost everyone has played. The danger here doesn’t really lie in accidental flying remotes, since most people know enough to wear the wrist strap. And boxing-related injuries also are quite rare.

The silent killer in Wii Sports is tennis. Four player tennis, to be exact. I’m not sure how others play it, but when my friends and I gather for a four player game, the two players on each team each stand next to each other, with one person in front of another. If people aren’t careful, an overzealous backhand can collide with someone’s head, hand or gut.

Play smart and you’ll be playing safe.

So, how do we avoid all these possible casualties? Play smart. Read the instruction manuals. Pace yourself. Don’t try to show off if you’re a beginner.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to take a break if you feel you need it. Taking fifteen minutes to step away, get a drink or see what’s going on in the outside world doesn’t make you weak.

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