Is it just me or does there seem to be a lack of any news of decent Wii Balance Board games for 2009? Yes there are titles lined up for next year (Kororinpa 2/Vertigo - variations of the same theme, Snowboard Riot and a few others) but to be honest nothing that really makes me go "yes - I have to have that!" Of course there's EA's Sports Active but then they're more interested in promoting their Wiimote strap thingy than the Wiiboard. So does that mean the Wii Balance Board honeymoon is over, certainly for third-party developers, and has Nintendo moved on to their next big thing, Wii Motion Plus?

A lot has been said recently about the inability of third-parties to capture any decent market share against Nintendo on the Wii platform and let's face it, that's not particularly surprising considering the amount of shovelware that third parties have been producing. Developers seem to be under the mistaken impression that since the Wii has attracted more casual gamers, this new market will be happy to buy any old rubbish. This is simply not the case. Unfortunately I think many developers have seen the balance board as an opportunity to deliver more of the same but when even the novelty of the Wiiboard fails to sell these games, where does it leave us.

Of course the exception to this trend and the real standout for me (although EA Skate It is pretty good) has to be Ubisoft and Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip which is currently my favourite game (apart from Rabbids TV Party when I feel like a bit of lunacy). In my view, Ubisoft did two things right with this game. Firstly they incorporated the balance board in a way that is both challenging and intuitive and secondly, although this is a multi-platform game, they developed a completely separate Wii version. And that's another gripe I have with developers of multi-platform titles. All too often, stunning graphics are used to distract users from lacklustre gameplay and while this might work for a while on PS3/360, the Wii’s graphics limitations end up meaning poor gameplay and poor graphics.

But the Wii's 'deficiency' can also be its greatest strength in that in order to produce a really good title, developers have to work much harder by being more artistic in their visual approach and concentrating on better interaction with the game. On both accounts I think Ubisoft got it right with Shaun White and the balance board (it doesn't feel like Wiiboard support was an afterthought). My only hope is that they can do more of the same in 2009.

So while I'm definitely no industry expert, here's my prediction for the balance board in 2009? I think you'll see less Wii Balance Board compatible titles produced as many developers realise it's just not worth the effort, and if sales of Shaun White and EA Skate It go as predicted, you'll see one or two new titles that will really make good use of the peripheral. Of course the unknown in all of this is the growing fitness/exergaming trend. Who knows, perhaps ResponDesign (Yourself!Fitness) will bring out a balance board compatible version of their title or someone else will try to capitalise on the trend. Whatever the case, let's hope that the Wii Balance Board is not doomed to becoming another dust-gathering peripheral.

Good news Target.com shoppers. With the imminent release of Shaun White Snowboarding next month, Ubisoft has announced that Target will be offering a special version of the game with exclusive content.

Target has been a long time sponsor (since 2002) of Shaun White so it certainly seems to make sense. According to the Ubi press release:

"The special Target edition of the game, available on Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and Wii, will have exclusive extended content and features that consumers won’t be able to find anywhere else, including the Target Mountain – an entire mountain environment found only in the Target exclusive edition. Gamers will also be able to take advantage of exclusive jibs, additional scenes and more characters. Additionally, players will be able to cozy up in the game’s virtual version of the Target Chalet, the real-life mountainside home where Shaun and his fellow Target athletes hang out with friends and family at the annual Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado. Among other exclusive features, the Taget Chalet is the only indoor environment anywhere in the game."

"Target guests are now able to purchase a $5 pre-sell card to ensure they’ll be shredding the mountain as soon as the exclusive version hits shelves."

Now it's just a matter of time until we see Target versions of the games for sale on eBay at ridiculously inflated prices.

Those Raving Rabbids are everywhere. Now they're taking over Facebook. If you're signed up to Facebook and think you have what it takes then take the Raving Rabbids Test to see just how wacky you really are.

I only made 74% on my first attempt. Pretty lame really - obviously Friday madness hasn't set in enough yet.

As promised last week, here's a roundup of the latest game assets for Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip. First up, info from the factsheet.

• Hit the Slopes with the Wii Balance Board
  Get yourself into the game like never before by using the Balance Board to control your rider. Control your jumps and tricks with the intuitiveness and fun of having a snowboard in your own living room.
• Exclusive World Tour
  Everybody loves a road trip! You and your crew travel the world to participate in a variety of the fun and exciting events to become a world-renowned athlete. Hit the half-pipe competitions, race down the mountains, or just do some freeriding – there’s plenty of boarding action to satisfy all your needs.
• Round the Globe with Shaun White
  Ubisoft worked in close contact with Shaun White in order to infuse the experience with the most authentic elements of his riding style, personality and sense of humor. Shaun will act as a good-natured friend and mentor to the player, hooking him up with the right friends to conquer challenges together, introduce him to new locales, or simply be around to share in a laugh.
• Play Together
  Engage in a seamlessly integrated multiplayer experience for two to four players in both cooperative and competitive gameplay.
• Get Your Own Crew
  In the world of snowboarding, it pays to have friends on your side. Your crew of friends will always be there to help you by offering you unique abilities to improve both your riding and keeping you grounded with friendly pranks; filming all the antics along the way.
• Dare to Be the Best
  Undertaking Dares from your friends will lead you to snowboard in a variety of events such as Slopestyles, Big Airs, Half Pipes, Rail Jams, Slaloms, Bordercross and Downhill events. You can even chill in the backcountry with your friends and enjoy riding at your own pace.

Next up, some of the latest screenshots which are looking great.

Ubisoft really seem to be pushing their Imagine range of games for girls. I notice that they released a factsheet for Imagine Fashion Party so I thought I'd take a peek (it's Friday afternoon and I was bored ok).

The aim of the game is to star in a TV show and compete in a series of challenges to "show the world that you are the best young fashion designer". Using the Wiimote and Nunchuck as scissors, hair brushes or makeup applicator you will be able to express your creativity in numerous workshops including Hair, Makeup, Clothing and Accessories. Oh and by the way, "Also compatible with the Wii Balance Board™ accessory!". What?

There's no explanation of how the balance board is used or any kind of hint at possible mini-games that could logically use it so I'm at a bit of a loss as to how it features but there you go, another "Wii Balance Board Compatible" game for the list. Is every game going to be compatible from now on?

Last month I mentioned Yourself!Fitness as an example of an exergame that developers should definitely refer to when creating a dedicated fitness title for the Wii. It seems that Ubisoft were meant to be doing just that but have now found themselves at the wrong end of a $26 million lawsuit as a result.

Up until now, ResponDesign has pretty much lead the way in the exergaming genre with Yourself!Fitness which it released in 2004 for PS2 and PC. In 2006 the company began developing a follow-up title for next-gen consoles (including Wii), titled Fitness Lifestyle. In early 2007 ResponDesign began negotiations with Ubisoft with the aim of licensing Yourself!Fitness and the Fitness Lifestyle code and all of the related game assets to Ubisoft which was to develop, publish and market a new Wii title called My Fitness Coach.

The agreement was signed in August 2007 and according to ResponDesign, Ubisoft received all of the required game assets and committed to delivering a "playable" first version of the game in November 2007. The aim was to start marketing in December 2007 for an April 2008 launch, which would have put the game in direct competition with Wii Fit. (Bear in mind that I have yet to ascertain whether or not there was ever any intention by ResponDesign or Ubisoft to include Wii Balance Board support but it just seems illogical not to.)

Clearly none of this happened and as of August 2008, we have yet to see any mention of a Wii fitness title from Ubisoft. According to ResponDesign, the release date for the agreed title is now Q1 2009, almost a year after it was originally intended to be released, and understandably, ResponDesign are not happy. Not only did Ubisoft miss the boat in terms of benefitting from the increased awareness of exergaming generated by the launch of Wii Fit, but ResponDesign feels it has missed out on millions of dollars worth of royalties for a game which never materialised. You have got to wonder why Ubisoft would miss out on an opportunity like this. Were they perhaps afraid to incur the wrath of Nintendo by releasing a competitor to Wii Fit or was there more to it than that? According to ResponDesign's claim there was.

In February this year, Ubisoft announced the release of a DS title called "My Weight Loss Coach" which was to include customised coaching sessions based on skill level, personalised profiles and objective setting, a success based rewards system and nutritional coaching. All of these features were critical components of Yourself!Fitness and Fitness Lifestyle and so according to ResponDesign were subject to the original license agreement for My Fitness Coach which was never intended for release on DS.

As this stage we have yet to see any kind of response to these allegations from Ubisoft but this will no doubt turn into another drawn out court case where only the lawyers win. And while all this is going on, it's ultimately us, the consumer, losing out. As a fitness title, Wii Fit can only go so far and as users begin to tire of the game and look for more fully featured exergaming titles, My Fitness Coach could have been the perfect solution.

It's not all bad news however as ResponDesign CEO Ted Spooner had this to say:

"The Wii Balance Board is a great peripheral and we are considering utilizing it in our future development. Wii Fit has been a great validation of the fitness category that we pioneered. It has shown there is tremendous pent up demand for content for this audience."

Let's hope that as the lawyers battle this lawsuit, ResponDesign continues to forge ahead and bring us the Wii exergaming titles we really want.

According to a press release from Ubisoft today, it seems that the Wii version of the game is now going to be titled Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip. In part I guess this better reflects the game in that you will be able to travel the world and participate in different events to build up your cred as a seasoned snowboarder. But I also think this is their way of differentiating the Wii version of SWSB from it's PS3/Xbox/PC counterparts. Here are some key features:

• Hit the Slopes with the Wii Balance Board
  Get yourself into the game like never before by using the Balance Board to control your rider. Control your jumps and tricks with the intuitiveness and fun of having a snowboard in your own living room.
• Exclusive World Tour
  Everybody loves a road trip! You and your crew travel the world to participate in a variety of the fun and exciting events to become a world-renowned athlete. Hit the half-pipe competitions, race down the mountains, or just do some freeriding – there's plenty of boarding action to satisfy all your needs.
• Round the Globe with Shaun White
  Ubisoft worked in close contact with Shaun White in order to infuse the experience with the most authentic elements of his riding style, personality and sense of humor. Shaun will act as a good-natured friend and mentor to the player, hooking him up with the right friends to conquer challenges together, introduce him to new locales, or simply be around to share in a laugh.
• Play Together
  Engage in a seamlessly integrated multiplayer experience for two to four players in both cooperative and competitive gameplay.
• Get Your Own Crew
  In the world of snowboarding, it pays to have friends on your side. Your crew of friends will always be there to help you by offering you unique abilities to improve both your riding and keeping you grounded with friendly pranks; filming all the antics along the way.
• Dare to Be the Best
  Undertaking Dares from your friends will lead you to snowboard in a variety of events such as Slopestyles, Big Airs, Half Pipes, Rail Jams, Slaloms, Bordercross and Downhill events. You can even chill in the backcountry with your friends and enjoy riding at your own pace.

Update: Ubisoft has now released a new trailer for SWSB: Road Trip and it shows the Wii Balance Board in use - it's looking great.

After the excitement of Nintendo's press conference earlier in the day together with a brief demo by Shaun White, I had high hopes for the Ubisoft press conference but it was a bit of a letdown, at least for balance board fans as we really got nothing new.

First off, Ubisoft US president, Laurent Detoc, launched into Raving Rabbids TV Party, and we got to see more Beestie Boarding and Ironing Board Surfing. They then went on to their FPS demos with Brothers in Arms, Tom Clancy Endwar and Far Cry which are undeniably great looking games but what I really wanted to see was some more of Shaun White Snowboarding (SWS).

After much talk of the "tween girl market" and a new brand focusing on girl sports, it was finally time for SWS as Louis Lamarche launched into a multiplayer demo .... on PS3. So no more balance board demos then although I have to say that the game looks awesome on PS3. Now I know that Wii fans like to defend the console by saying it's not about the graphics, it's all about the immersive gameplay but with such incredible graphics (PS3 screenshot below) and a huge open environment, even I would be hardpressed to choose the balance board version over the PS3. That said, let's see what Ubisoft delivers for SBS Wii over the coming months. Obviously the graphics will not be the same and features will be different as the Wii version is being developed separately from the PS3/Xbox/PC versions but there's still huge potential for a really great Wii franchise in SWS.

With E3 just weeks away, game developers are (understandably) keeping tight-lipped about developments but in an interview with Diehard GameFAN we find out a bit more about Ubisoft's Raving Rabbids TV Party. You can read the entire interview here, but for those of you just interested in the balance board stuff, here's a summary.

DHGF: Raving Rabbids TV Party is going to make use of the Wii Balance Board that came with Wii Fit. We've already seen the clips of the racing game in which gamers will be making ample use of their buttocks. What other mini-games will feature the balance board, and what happens to those gamers who don't have the balance board? How do they play these games?

Ubisoft: We'll be unveiling the next batch of Balance Board mini-games at E3, so you'll have to wait a few weeks to find out what's in store. However, there are also a few games where you get to stand and rest your behind. For people who don't have the Balance board yet, the game allows you the option of using the two controllers at the start of each game. The wii mote and nunchuck are tremendously versatile, so the balance board games are still intuitive and fun and have been developed and tweaked to fit the controllers. But (no pun intended!), the board does add a uniquely fun dimension to the gameplay!

DHGF: It's been mentioned that in both Party Mode and Co-Op that you can somehow sabotage your friends. How will this work?

Ubisoft: Basically if you are playing on the balance board, riding the Wildebeest in multiplayer, your adversaries can toss things to throw you off your butt-balancing. It means that you can still cause havoc, even when you're not the one riding the board.

DHGF: The first Rayman Raving Rabbids was a multi-console title. With the sequel and now TV Party, we've seen the game going Nintendo exclusive, only appearing on the Wii and DS. What was the decision behind focusing only on Nintendo's systems? Was it simply a gameplay decision or something else?

Ubisoft: RRR was designed to explore different controls and the way we prototyped them allowed us to showcase Nintendo’s new controllers. Movement off- and on-screen changed the development and the creative processes and the Wii became a perfect fit for Rabbid humor and gameplay style. This unique style benefits even further from the Balance Board, and we have tried to create weird and wonderful new movements using the board as well continuing to play with the Wii remote and Nunchuk in crazy ways!

So, nothing new there but one of the things that did grab my attention, and kudos to Ubisoft for thinking about this, was the ability for other players to interact with the balance board user within the game. The whole one balance board at a time limitation has already been covered and right now, there's no way around it so we've had to make do with throwing empty cans at the balance board user or trying to poke them with a stick but at least with RRR, other players aren't simply left watching while one person uses the board.

Well Euro 2008 is certainly hotting up as world champions Italy beat France to move into the final eight. Italy's second goal came from a free kick but had France had a raving rabbid on their team well... it would have been no different as this latest teaser for Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party shows - enjoy.