HYDERABAD: Remember the days when kids used to run around shouting ‘Deef’ or ‘Marco Polo’, hiding behind nooks and crannies that only kids could find in a house? If its a memory you associate with, you’re probably from the healthier lot that played games like Hopscotch, Blind man’s bluff, Hide and seek and so on. Today’s generation are tech-savvy with the emergence of video games like Redemption, Mortal Combat and Street Fighter. Video and computer games are the ‘in’ thing given its easy availability, lesser requirement of space and number of ‘real’ players.But if your child’s, or even your physical inactivity is a cause for concern, seventh generation video games like Badminton, Tennis, Cricket, Bowling, Boxing, Golf and Dance Revolution are the answer to your plight.It is rightly said that necessity is the mother of invention. Combining the fad for video games and old school sports like Badminton and Tennis, gaming consoles like Nintendo Wii, X-Box 360 and Sony Playstation 3 have come out equipped with censors that allow players to improve their batting angle or velocity, essentially forcing them to get off their behinds and do some physical activity.While this takes care of complaints of sheer laziness, it has also become the perfect solution of for people who lack the space to play or exercise.Says Ansh Pallod, a sixth grader, “I am glad I have a Wii at home as it makes me play games which I don’t have enough space to play in my garden area. The best part about it is you don’t need any partner to play with you.”Shankar Rao, owner and also dealer of gaming consoles says, “I have seen a lot of people buying Wii and Playstation 3 in the recent months. People who live in apartments are the usual buyers as they are concerned about the kids being able to play in a confined area.”These motion control video games not only enhance the level of interaction, but also urge the player to get up from the couch and jump and play around a little. Peripherals like balance boards, joysticks, badminton racquets sense the movement of the player’s body and brings them to life, beautifully blending the game and reality. And amidst all this, the player unknowingly is energised as he does some fun physical activities.These gaming consoles are also fast becoming an alternative to the gym among working people. Besides making the timing more convenient (you can ‘workout’ whenever you want), the space more comfortable, its also a one-time investment.Says Kajal Mehta, a housewife and mother of two, “Earlier I had to pay around Rs 4000 per month to go to a gym, but after having Wii at home I don’t have to worry about paying monthly charges. I also get to have fun with my kids and simultaneously keep myself healthy and fit.” Agreeing, Anand Verma, an IT employee says, “My 9 am-to-9 pm desk job involves no physical activity but due to WiiFit I have my share of workout and it also helps in releasing my stress and is fun filled.” So though these games are nothing compared to running wild on lawn or on the sand or in the grass, these gaming consoles are just the right thing at the right place at the right time for our compact sized lives.
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