Video Games in Gym Class - DDR 101?

Saige writes: "When I was in school, gym class was basketball, running laps, and icky locker rooms. Today, kids get to play video games - and get credit for them! No, it is not as bad as it seems. Apparently, someone has become clued in that Dance Dance Revolution promotes physical activity, and a school in California is making use of that. Can I go back and retake gym?"

Comments

Police 911 (or how to kill your quads)

[Soulslayer]

Konami (the same people behind Dance Dance Revolution)has been putting out quite a few games that can burn some calories.

Police 911 uses an image tracking system to move your on screen character based on your actual body position. In order to reload during the otherwise typical gun game you need to duck behind something. In order to duck, you have to squat/duck in the real world.

MoCap Boxing has you put on a pair of weighted gloves and actually punch and block in a first person boxing match. This will tire out more than just geeks. I've watched as macho buffed guys with their girlfriends walk up to the machine and brag about how easy it will be. Within minutes they are barely able to keep their arms up.

If game designers can keep coming up with creative and well done games like these maybe the arcade is not as endangered as it has appeared.