The one other point that I probably should explain is that, in Japan, you might notice on the Wii Fit box that the Balance Board is rated to 136 kilograms, or 300 pounds, whereas here in North America if you look at the Wii Fit box it is rated to 330 pounds, which is 150 kilograms. So, looking at the boxes, you would think that the Balance Board was made stronger for here in the United States. In fact, Japan has a law called the law of weights in measures, where scale manufacturers have to submit their products for certification from the government, and the standards that they were using at the time, 300 pounds was the standard for a household scale. So in order for the Balance Board to receive certification from the Japanese government under this weights and measures law, we had to certify it at a level of 300 pounds. Because the United States does not have that law, we’re able to state that it functions at 330 pounds, despite the fact that the boards are exactly the same in the two countries.

Also, because when you’re standing on the Balance Board for some of the activities you don’t quite jump but you squat and exert different amounts of pressure on the Balance Board, the actual physical structure of the board is able to withstand much greater weights of around probably 660 pounds. The weight that it can accurately measure is 330 pounds.

Boston (dbTechno) - The traditional idea of buying flowers for your mom on Mother’s Day may be going out the window if retailers have any say in it. Wal-Mart has started marketing the upcoming Nintendo Wii game Wii Fit as the perfect gift for mom on Mother’s Day.

Wii Fit released recently in the UK and has also released in Japan, enjoying huge sales from gamers as well as non-gamers.

Wal-Mart’s online division is touting Wii FIt as the “perfect gift” for Mother’s Day.

Wii FIt is definitely not your typical video game, as it will ship with the Nintendo Wii Balance Board, a new controller which allow players to take part in balance games, yoga, aerobics, strength training, as well as muscle-toning exercises.

The game’s Balance Board also measures your BMI or Body Mass Index to monitor your daily progress.

Customers of Wal-Mart’s online store who pre-order Wii FIt will recieve a 10 online gift card until May 11.

Wii FIt has managed to rack up huge sales in Japan and in the UK. With that said, retailers believe the moms out there will push sales in North America.