One of the natural laws of the universe seems to be that the more popular something gets, the more stupid the lawsuits it attracts.

And so it is with the Wii and Wii Fit.

Fitness guru, and self described "America's Lifestyle Coach For Health And Wellness", Michael Torchia is launching a class action lawsuit against Nintendo claiming:



Now I don't disagree that computer games and TV have helped contribute to increasingly sedentary kids (and adults), but to target Nintendo and the Wii Fit seems perverse. The idea that legions of people are suddenly cancelling their gym membership and grabbing a Wii Fit as a replacement is ludicrous. Most people either use the Wii Fit as a compliment to diet and other exercise, or more likely hate "traditional" fitness regimes and are finding the Wii Fit an entertaining way of doing more exercise than they have in years. Torchia should be glad that people who might never have thought of doing any kind of structured exercise now have a comparatively cheap (assuming you already have a Wii) means of getting more active.

With Nintendo planning to launch a new Wii channel with health and fitness advice from experts, you''d think that Torchia would be keen to join in and encourage people.

Torchia is also claiming that there are insufficient warnings on Wii games about potential injuries, which will seem nuts to any regular user of Wii Fit, I seem to spend half my time clicking through health warnings about warming up and not bumping into things.

Now, in a sane world, this case wouldn't get very far, but it is being bought in a California court, so who know...

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Commentary from MLive and Kotaku.com