Many people’s New Year’s resolutions involve losing weight and exercising more. Now you can have some help keeping that resolution with EA Sports Active 2 for Nintendo Wii, Xbox Kinect, and PlayStation Move (Wii version reviewed here).

EA Sports Active 2 comes with several key peripherals included with the game. The game uses the Wii remote, but mostly keeps your hands free thanks to the included heart rate monitor and leg motion strap. First, you plug the included USB adaptor in the back of your Wii so your wireless devices will work. The heart rate monitor goes on your left forearm while the leg adaptor fits on your right thigh. There are thorough instructions on how to set up the equipment in game, and it’s easy to use, too. Even though Active 2 is full price, you really get a great deal with all you get.

The only included peripheral I had a little problem with was the resistance band. I found it hard to get them to work without snapping. And you’d think that with all the excellent instructions on the other accessories, they would also include steps on how to put together and use the resistance band, too.

Once you start the game, you are prompted to enter some personal information. Then you can set workout goals and a schedule. You can weigh yourself and do some exercises with the Wii Balance Board, but it’s entirely optional. So don’t think you need the Balance Board to play, it works just as well without it. The game gives you lots of cardio and aerobic exercises, as well as simple strength and core training. Thanks to the heart rate monitor, you can see how many calories you burn on screen as well as your heart rate. And with having so many motion controls on your person, the game can really tell if you are slacking off. It’s almost as if the trainer in the game has eyes! No cheating here!

It doesn’t just end there, though. Active 2 has surveys you can fill out on your nutrition and other daily activities, and the game can connect online so you can track your progress on a PC with the Active Web site and share your successes and tips with other EA Active users.

The problems in Active 2 are few and far between, but they are there. Aside from the wonky resistance bands, a couple of the exercises don’t read your motions as well. And since you may not use the Wii remote as much during the workouts, it can get annoying when you get a lot of pop up messages saying the Wii remote has lost its signal with the Wii. People with knee or foot problems may have trouble with some of the exercises, too. Even with those problems, EA Sports Active 2 is still a nifty fitness accessory. I’ve played a lot of Wii fitness games, and I’d have to say that EA Sports Active 2 is the best I’ve played so far.

Kid Factor

Any age can do the exercises and no reading skill is required. However, a parent or older gamer may want to help younger players set up the equipment. Some parents may want to supervise during setup as well, especially if your kids want to track their progress online because you have to give out information like an e-mail address (though the site itself seems pretty safe). Many of the exercises are based on sports activities like shooting baskets or mountain biking, so the workouts are almost like playing a regular video game, which kids will like. However, some of the workouts seems pretty long, and may bore more impatient youngsters. If you have multiple Active accessories, you and your kids can exercise together. EA Sports Active 2 is rated E for Everyone.

Tags: Game Reviews