REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– It’s a new year. Why not start it off with a new “U”? On Jan. 10, the retail version of Wii Fit U for Wii U hits stores, just in time to help people get started on their New Year’s resolutions to be more active and get fit. But Wii Fit U doesn’t require heavy equipment or expensive gym memberships. With Wii Fit U, users can get active by navigating a luge course, spraying a water hose, bouncing on a giant trampoline and even grabbing the new Fit Meter to continue their workouts on the go. Fitness doesn’t get any more fun than this.

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In this photo provided by Nintendo of America, TJ Smith from Los Angeles plays Wii Fit U’s “Hosedown,” one of several new activities in the game that use the Wii U GamePad controller. Prior to the game’s retail launch on Jan. 10, a few select Nintendo fans had the opportunity to participate in Nintendo’s “Wii Fit U Challenge,” which encourages Wii U owners and families to incorporate the game into their busy schedules as a fun and convenient way to stay active throughout the year. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Wii Fit U makes fitness fun. It’s as simple as that,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Wii Fit U is a great option for busy moms and families who want to stay active in the comfort of their own homes – which is perfect during the cold winter months.”

Wii Fit U allows users to discover fun new ways to get up and get moving using their Wii U console and Wii Balance Board accessory. The game features some of the best activities from the original Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus games, as well as new activities that incorporate the Wii U GamePad controller. Wii Fit U bundles also come packaged with a new activity meter called the Fit Meter, which is designed to sync up with the game and track daily routines. People can carry the Fit Meter with them anywhere they go, and then easily sync it to their Wii Fit U profiles to track daily activities like steps taken and calories burned. If the user doesn’t reach the calorie target, the game will propose a variety of Wii Fit U exercises to help bridge the gap. All members of the family can even own their own Fit Meter, allowing them to create their own profiles and compare their fitness progress and activities with each other. (The Fit Meter can be purchased separately at a suggested retail price of $19.99.)

In addition to the retail launch of the game on Jan. 10, Nintendo is partnering with celebrity trainer and fitness expert Kathy Kaehler, who has trained celebs such as Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Kim Kardashian, Cindy Crawford and Julia Roberts. Kaehler’s Wii Fit UChallenge encourages Wii U owners to incorporate Wii Fit U into their busy lives and to continue to stay active throughout the entire year.

“As a mom of three kids, I know how difficult it can sometimes be to find time to go to the gym,” Kaehler said. “The exercises in Wii Fit U are designed to accommodate busy schedules and can be accomplished throughout the day. Plus, it’s a fun activity for the entire family.”

Wii Fit U is the most customizable and shareable game in the series. Users can create their own personalized workouts or select from multiple recommended workouts based on their fitness goals. These workouts can even be tracked using Miiverse (broadband Internet access is required). Members of these Miiverse gym communities can view their favorite workouts, as well as track popular activities and total community calories burned.

Wii Fit U requires the use of the Wii Balance Board accessory. A bundle that includes theWii Fit U game, a Wii Balance Board accessory and the Fit Meter accessory will be available in stores at a suggested retail price of $89.99. For those who already own a Wii Balance Board, an additional bundle with the Wii Fit U game and Fit Meter will be available in stores at a suggested retail price of $49.99. In addition, a one-month free trial of the full game experience can also be downloaded in the Nintendo eShop until Jan. 31. Users that download this free trial can keep the full game permanently by purchasing and syncing a Fit Meter.

For more information about Wii Fit U, visit http://wiifitu.nintendo.com.

Remember that Wii U features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visithttp://www.nintendo.com/wiiu.