The Future of Gaming is Making Moves

Life behind screens can, unfortunately, largely be spent sitting down. Guardians often share concerns of how the soft glow of screen time captures the attention of young kids. But there are more ways to play than sitting at a desk or on the couch. Have you heard of exergames? They are a new genre of games designed to blend digital entertainment with physical exercise, offering a compelling solution to this issue. 

Games like "Just Dance," "Ring Fit Adventure," and "Nintendo Switch Sports" require players to move their bodies, promoting cardiovascular health and physical fitness. The goal is to transform sedentary screen time into active play. But these games offer more than just an alternative to more traditional exercises. They often require precise movements and quick reflexes, which can help improve hand-eye coordination, balance, and overall motor skills. For example: "Beat Saber" and "Dance Dance Revolution" challenge players to match movements to on-screen prompts.

Children, like adults, feel stress. Whether it's an upcoming math test, or just from trying to work out who they are as tiny humans. Moving around more is proven to boost moods and with that, reduce stress. Exergames provide a fun and engaging way for kids to benefit from these free chemical balancers. 

Many games require strategic thinking, problem-solving, and quick decision-making—and Exergames are no exception. The combination of cognitive and physical activity, can enhance brain function and even improve academic performance. Games like "Pokémon GO" encourage players to plan routes and make quick decisions, fostering cognitive development. Successfully mastering the challenges in these games can boost a child's confidence and self-esteem. By integrating physical activity into a fun context, these games can help children develop a lifelong appreciation for exercise without even noticing it. The positive associations formed through these games can encourage kids to pursue other physical activities outside of gaming.

We promote a lot of inclusivity and Exergames are no exception. Because these games often use varied controllers to bring the movement to life they can allow children with different physical abilities to participate and enjoy too. This inclusivity ensures that more kids can experience the joy of online collective play.

Here are some of the top picks for games to make your young ones move:

Nintendo Switch Sports: Jump into a world of action-packed sports like tennis, bowling, and boxing, where your Joy-Con controllers turn your living room into your very own Olympic stadium.

Ring Fit Adventure: Embark on an epic fitness quest with your magical ring and leg strap, battling monsters and bosses while getting fit in this immersive Nintendo Switch adventure.

Just Dance Series: Get ready to bust a move! Follow the dance moves on screen, and master new moves to your favorite songs.

Beat Saber: Step into a neon-lit VR world where you slice through beats with lightsabers in hand. It’s a rhythm game that makes you feel like a combination of a Jedi and a DJ.

Pokémon GO: Grab your phone and head outside to explore the real world in search of Pokémon. Catch ‘em all, hit up PokéStops, and take on gyms as you walk, run, and discover new places.

Zombies, Run!: Turn your daily run into a heart-pounding adventure as you sprint to escape zombies and gather supplies in this thrilling augmented reality fitness game.

FitXR: Dive into a virtual gym where boxing, dancing, and high-intensity workouts make you break a sweat while having a blast. It’s fitness, but way more fun.

Dance Dance Revolution: Put your dance skills to the test on the iconic DDR dance pad, stepping and spinning to the beat as you light up the dance floor, arcade-style.

Wii Fit: Step onto the Wii Balance Board and transform your living room into a personal fitness studio. From yoga to hula-hooping, it’s a fun way to stay active and track your progress.

Sports Champions: Take on friends and family in a variety of sports, from archery to table tennis, using your PlayStation Move controllers to bring the competition to life.

These games use motion-sensing technology, VR headsets, or mobile GPS to bring online gaming offline through physical exercise. By combining the appeal of video games with the benefits of physical exercise, these exergames provide a valuable tool for parents and educators. In classrooms, kids get to move around and express themselves, and at home, time spent motionless on the couch can get cut in half.  As technology continues to evolve, the potential for these games to positively impact children's lives will only grow, making them an essential component of modern play. Our advice? Try some of these games today and make movement and gaming the new normal.