Topic: Namco's Family Trainer Sells Over a Million

[Nick DiMola]

Known in America as Active Life: Outdoor Challenge, the family sports game crosses the million sold mark in worldwide sales.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=17644

 Namco Bandai announced recently in a Japanese press release that their Family Trainer title, known in America as Active Life: Outdoor Challenge, has crossed the million sold mark worldwide. According to Namco Bandai's sales figures, the title moved 140,000 units in Japan, 540,000 units in America, and 320,000 units in Europe.    

The title is a revival of the Famicom Family Trainer series which made use of the Power Pad peripheral. The most recent edition of the game uses an updated version of the Power Pad called the Active Life Mat made specifically for Wii. The use of a stepping peripheral drew comparisons to Nintendo's Wii Fit title; however, according to Nintendo World Report, "Active Life: Outdoor Challenge separates itself from Wii Fit as its own game, and succeeds quite well at it."

[Kairon]

This is a bit of a surprise!

[GoldenPhoenix]

I don't even know what this game is.

[NWR_Lindy]

Have a look:

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=17457

[UncleBob]

Perhaps seeing the US package would jolt your memory...



Anywhoo, this can't be right... third party games don't sell!

[NWR_Lindy]

They do when they're clones of one of Nintendo's brilliant ideas.

[UncleBob]

Isn't Wii Fit actually a clone of Namco's NES Family Trainer games? :p

[Kairon]

I welcome the return of the Power Pad!

[TJ Spyke]

The game has gotten good reviews (I think Game Informer even said it's a good alternative to Wii Fit if you don't want to spend the $90+tax Nintendo charges).

[KDR_11k]

I don't know what it's called here (Family Trainer, too?) but I recall that mat.

[NWR_pap64]

They do when they're clones of one of Nintendo's brilliant ideas.

If you are talking about Wii Fit, not really. The game looks like an in-spirit sequel to the NES Power Pad games, including the running games.

[UncleBob]

The game looks like an in-spirit sequel to the NES Power Pad games

I don't know if you can really call it a "spiritual" successor - remember, the original NES Power Pad was released as an accessory for the Famicom by Bandai (the company that now makes up the last half of Namco-Bandai).  They even call it by the original name in Japan (Family Trainer).  Granted, it's a few years delayed, but I think it's a true squeal.