The days of Ms. Pacman are long gone. And while we have fond memories of Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Sue, it’s pretty refreshing to find games that revolve around lots more than gobbling some dots. The video games out there today can actually help you sneak in a workout and flirt with your spouse (just wait—we’ll fill you in).
Even if it’s been a while since you picked up a joystick, you’ll find it easier than you think to jump right in. New generations of video games are focusing on easy play and intuitive controls. So, for instance, swing your arm with a Wii controller and you smack an on-screen tennis ball across a video net to your partner.
Can Video Games Really Be a Workout?
We know, it sounds almost too good to be true. But anything that gets you up and moving is good—whether that’s a walk, run, or a class at your local Y. Video games are another option—especially if you have trouble sticking with exercise or get bored easily. Consider them another little fitness tool to have on hand, just like your exercise bike or those dumbbells. A study even found that playing Nintendo Wii games increases your heart rate and oxygen intake.
A few games we’ve played that made us come around:
* Top Spin 3, a tennis game (topspin3thegame.com). To up the intensity, bend your knees and jump when serving.
* Shaun White Snowboarding (shaunwhitegame.com). The motions you need to do to balance the board will work your leg muscles pretty hard.
* All Star Cheer Squad (playthq.com/allstarcheersquad). You run a cheer squad and put them through their paces. The variety of up-down, back-forward, and side-to-side movements are like a full-body step workout.
* The whole Wii Fit system (www.nintendo.com/wiifit). This is perfect to track time spent moving. Plus, you can challenge other family members in everything from yoga poses to hula hooping.
Now About That Flirting…
Maybe you haven’t fantasized about being Princess Leia, but your guy has probably pictured you in that famous outfit. So why not play a little Star Wars together? We like Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (lucasarts.com). You can blast targets and work together to solve puzzles.
Not so much into Star Wars? Look for other games you can play together. The guys we asked confirmed that it’s sexy when women race cars and blast zombies. (Hey, if nothing else, it’s good stress relief.)
Or become secret agents playing Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos Theory (ubisoft.com). This video game is sort of like that movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith—you can work together to knock out an enemy on virtual missions. Finish a level and celebrate like you’re Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
What video or computer online games do you give a thumbs-up to? Share your game plan with your Vocalpoint friends.
