Both good playable games in their own right but not as easy to integrate within therapy as other games within this series or on the market. Therapy potential = LIMITED
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Showing posts with label upper limb. Show all posts
Showing posts with label upper limb. Show all posts
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Rayman Raving Rabbids - Go Home and Travel in Time
Both good playable games in their own right but not as easy to integrate within therapy as other games within this series or on the market. Therapy potential = LIMITED
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Sunday, 18 September 2011
Fit & Fun - Your Virtual Personal Coach - Game Review
Fit and Fun is a fitness orientated game that introduces so couple of games that also aim to contribute to developing fitness skills. The game combines elements of fitness routines with a handful of accessible and responsive games that can be described as more fun that the routine element. The game offers the opportunity to use the balance board within two of the games and relies on the holding and positioning of the WiiMote (and Nunchuk at times) to work through the exercises.
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Clear instructions are given both pictorially and written on screen reducing the potential of getting the movements wrong. The two fun games found on Fit and Fun that can be played in a sitting position are the Bobsled and the Gliding. The Bobsled is designed to be controlled in a sitting position whilst the gliding is ordinarily played in standing.
The menu screen presents different options which include the following:-
Fitness test
Workout Scheduler
Fast Games
The fitness test initially walks the player through recording heartbeats per minute/pulse followed by how many squats you can do, bike crunch and press ups. These exercises are explained well with the squats and stomach crunch exercises recording the reps by the movement of the WiiMote held in your hand. The press up requires the player to enter the reps after the exercise manually,so can easily be skipped if the player is unable to achieve the exercise.
The workout scheduler offers the player to organise a selection of exercises and stretches to perform during one session. The options available include:
Warm up (Beach jogging, Rope Skipping, Wae Bo)
Strength training (general strength exercises e.g. squats - but wide selection covering all areas of the body)
Body shaping (Beach jogging, Rope Skipping, Wae Bo)
Relaxation (Stretches, Qi Gong, Meditation in sitting or standing)
Fun (Gliding, bobsled, badminton)
Qi Gong and meditation elements of the relaxation option are nice additions and offer good clear written and pictorial advice with regards to how to perform the movements or poses. Included within the Qi Gong option are 10 movements to practice which are all easy to follow. The stretching element of the relaxation option demonstrates 14 stretches of which you can choose as many or as few as is appropriate (as with the Qi Gong).
The games included in the programme are as follows:
Gliding - this can be played with or without the balance board. Without the balance board the player uses the WiiMote on its side and has to employ very subtle and fine control to guide the glider through hoops, scoring points. When using the balance board the player is intended to stand, but can access the game in a sitting position. Again, fine control is required to steer the glider through the hoops using forward, back and sideways movements of the body. It offers enough time to work on balance exercises and is challenging enough for those working on higher levels of control. Different levels of the game make it easy or harder, depending upon ability and control and also offers plenty of room to improve and demonstrate progression of skills and ability.
Bobsled - this activity is ideally played with the player sitting on the balance board which is placed on the floor. It requires the ability to lean backwards to increase speed which can be created by sitting the player further back on the board. To steer the player must lean in a controlled manner to the left and right. The slow and steady movements that are required by the game offer plenty of time to perform the left and right leaning movements. The game is based on a time limit whereby the player must reach the next station before the time runs out. This can limit the use of the game but can also act as a way of measuring a patients progress.
Over or under steering cause the bobsled to via off course and into the barriers, slowing the sled down and causing a loss of time.
The bobsled game is a unique and interesting way of encouraging the control of weight shifting in sitting.
Rope Skipping - The player holds the WiiMote and jumps at the appropriate moment to clear the rope as it is swung on the screen. This game can either be used to practice jumping and timing or it can be used as a tool to help develop timing and reaction speed in those who are unable to jump. By shaking the WiiMote at the right moment the character will jump the rope - without the need for the player to be able to actually jump. Using this method of control would focus on timing, reaction speed, rhythm and upper limb control of fine movement.
Beach Jogging - Uses both the Wiimote and the Nunchuk. The player is required to jog on the spot whilst performing upper limb jogging movements. The controllers register the jogging motion and represent forward motion of the on screen character. Part of the game requires the use of the B and Z buttons to move the runner left and right to avoid other runners and collect water - both of which also gain you points. The faster you run the more points you collect.
This game could be used as an upper limb fitness test and used as an outcome measure to be tested again at a later date. The points collected in the given time offering a measure of the quality and pace of the upper limb movements performed.
Wae Bo - Uses the WiiMote and Nunchuk and requires the player to react to the instructions on screen and perform movements of the arms as instructed by the on-screen character. This game seemed difficult to get the timing right on, with moves being performed but scores not registering. In principle its a good game to work on reaction speeds and following instructions with regards to movement, but there is a risk of disappointment if the game doesn't register the move.
Badminton - Uses just the Wiimote in the dominant hand. The game itself takes a little time to get use to as it slows down to allow the player to swing the Wiimote at a certain time to allow for placement of the return shot to the opponent. Whilst this could be quite distracting for some it could be considered advantageous for some players who have slower reactions speeds with this game offering a small amount of extra time to process the need for the return shot and required upper limb movement.
For the more able players this game can be quite competitive whereby winning a shot may take considerable effort and sustained periods of concentration and physical effort.
Unlike Wii Fit the game can be played without performing the initial fitness test. It has potential to be integrated within therapy sessions but in an adapted fashion by using the games and their controls to encourage movement of a varied quality.
The mini games are different to previous fitness or balance games and therefore offer choice for those looking to expand their game collection.
Publishers website for images and more info
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The menu screen presents different options which include the following:-
Fitness test
Workout Scheduler
Fast Games
The fitness test initially walks the player through recording heartbeats per minute/pulse followed by how many squats you can do, bike crunch and press ups. These exercises are explained well with the squats and stomach crunch exercises recording the reps by the movement of the WiiMote held in your hand. The press up requires the player to enter the reps after the exercise manually,so can easily be skipped if the player is unable to achieve the exercise.
The workout scheduler offers the player to organise a selection of exercises and stretches to perform during one session. The options available include:
Warm up (Beach jogging, Rope Skipping, Wae Bo)
Strength training (general strength exercises e.g. squats - but wide selection covering all areas of the body)
Body shaping (Beach jogging, Rope Skipping, Wae Bo)
Relaxation (Stretches, Qi Gong, Meditation in sitting or standing)
Fun (Gliding, bobsled, badminton)
Qi Gong and meditation elements of the relaxation option are nice additions and offer good clear written and pictorial advice with regards to how to perform the movements or poses. Included within the Qi Gong option are 10 movements to practice which are all easy to follow. The stretching element of the relaxation option demonstrates 14 stretches of which you can choose as many or as few as is appropriate (as with the Qi Gong).
The games included in the programme are as follows:
Gliding - this can be played with or without the balance board. Without the balance board the player uses the WiiMote on its side and has to employ very subtle and fine control to guide the glider through hoops, scoring points. When using the balance board the player is intended to stand, but can access the game in a sitting position. Again, fine control is required to steer the glider through the hoops using forward, back and sideways movements of the body. It offers enough time to work on balance exercises and is challenging enough for those working on higher levels of control. Different levels of the game make it easy or harder, depending upon ability and control and also offers plenty of room to improve and demonstrate progression of skills and ability.
Bobsled - this activity is ideally played with the player sitting on the balance board which is placed on the floor. It requires the ability to lean backwards to increase speed which can be created by sitting the player further back on the board. To steer the player must lean in a controlled manner to the left and right. The slow and steady movements that are required by the game offer plenty of time to perform the left and right leaning movements. The game is based on a time limit whereby the player must reach the next station before the time runs out. This can limit the use of the game but can also act as a way of measuring a patients progress.
Over or under steering cause the bobsled to via off course and into the barriers, slowing the sled down and causing a loss of time.
The bobsled game is a unique and interesting way of encouraging the control of weight shifting in sitting.
Rope Skipping - The player holds the WiiMote and jumps at the appropriate moment to clear the rope as it is swung on the screen. This game can either be used to practice jumping and timing or it can be used as a tool to help develop timing and reaction speed in those who are unable to jump. By shaking the WiiMote at the right moment the character will jump the rope - without the need for the player to be able to actually jump. Using this method of control would focus on timing, reaction speed, rhythm and upper limb control of fine movement.
Beach Jogging - Uses both the Wiimote and the Nunchuk. The player is required to jog on the spot whilst performing upper limb jogging movements. The controllers register the jogging motion and represent forward motion of the on screen character. Part of the game requires the use of the B and Z buttons to move the runner left and right to avoid other runners and collect water - both of which also gain you points. The faster you run the more points you collect.
This game could be used as an upper limb fitness test and used as an outcome measure to be tested again at a later date. The points collected in the given time offering a measure of the quality and pace of the upper limb movements performed.
Wae Bo - Uses the WiiMote and Nunchuk and requires the player to react to the instructions on screen and perform movements of the arms as instructed by the on-screen character. This game seemed difficult to get the timing right on, with moves being performed but scores not registering. In principle its a good game to work on reaction speeds and following instructions with regards to movement, but there is a risk of disappointment if the game doesn't register the move.
Badminton - Uses just the Wiimote in the dominant hand. The game itself takes a little time to get use to as it slows down to allow the player to swing the Wiimote at a certain time to allow for placement of the return shot to the opponent. Whilst this could be quite distracting for some it could be considered advantageous for some players who have slower reactions speeds with this game offering a small amount of extra time to process the need for the return shot and required upper limb movement.
For the more able players this game can be quite competitive whereby winning a shot may take considerable effort and sustained periods of concentration and physical effort.
Unlike Wii Fit the game can be played without performing the initial fitness test. It has potential to be integrated within therapy sessions but in an adapted fashion by using the games and their controls to encourage movement of a varied quality.
The mini games are different to previous fitness or balance games and therefore offer choice for those looking to expand their game collection.
Publishers website for images and more info
Purchase from :
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Marbles! Balance Challenge / Kororinpa : Marble Mania
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Marbles! Balance challenge is the sequel to Kororinpa (also called Marble Sarga in some regions). The principles of the game are the same - roll a marble around a puzzle platform using controlled and precise movements with either the Wii Remote or (new for the sequel) the Wii Balance Board.
The ability to use the Wii Blanace Board for game play is an excellent feature when considering rehab. The original Kororinpa game was excellent for fine control, dexterity, perception and reaction speeds. The sequel, with its choice to use the balance board now offers balance in both standing and sitting with valuable real time visual feedback based on the movements created by the player. This game play offers balance awareness and motivation to correct movement intuitively in order to play the game, with the levels all being unlocked at the start and progressively getting harder through the numerous levels.
The Wii Remote controlled levels are different to the Balance Board levels - requiring more specific and sensitive skills that would be nearly impossible to control in standing. There are two main categories - easy and normal to choose from offering plenty of variety and opportunities to progress as co-ordination and dexterity skills improve.
Unlike other games of this nature the visuals are clear and uncomplicated without the risk of confusing orientations and unhelpful points of view. The simplicity of this game is one of the features that makes it therapy friendly.
The game is easy to navigate but when in the Wii Remote game play the puzzles are based on an unlocking system whereby the more you play the more levels are unlocked meaning play is limited initially. As a solution to this it is possible to download the Save Data file here. For more information about how to use save data files click here.
The game can therefore be played in a sitting position or can be made more difficult by using a Real Balance Board adaptation. More information about working on different levels of balance can be found here.
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Saturday, 4 June 2011
Wii Party
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Wii Party is a family orientated game with numerous approaches to game play. The board games and family activities that the game suggests need upwards of 15 minutes to play are not therapeutically friendly and probably do not have much place in a rehab session.
By navigating through the menus it is possible to play each of the mini games in isolation of any others - meaning that individual games can be chosen and played on their own.
To find the mini games follow:
Menu Screen : Mini games (bottom right/yellow box) : freeplay : (choose category of the mini game you want to play) : Game (choose the game from the selection)
These games are all unlocked so do not need endless play in order to unlock them. A full list of the mini games, controls and value during therapy sessions can be found by following this link
Some elements of this game can be played using adaptations, especially the use of a controller with external buttons for those who do not have the control to hold and press the Wii Remote buttons.
Other adaptations could be the use a wrist strap to support the controller on the back of the wrist or ankle to create the movement needed for some of the games. Alternatively the controller could be used with this Fit Board adaptation for the games to work on balance.
This game is similar to Wii Play but with much more too it. There are some basic 'pointing' games that allow for development of upper limb/hand control without the complication of using buttons.
As with most games there are some very useful and therapy friendly elements to Wii Party. The numerous minigames offer a spectrum of short activities that have the potential to help patients regain some co-ordination, reaction speed, dexterity and general upper limb skills.
Never the less Wii Party offers some basic and fun games that can successfully be used and incorporated within a therapy session.
More info
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With a Wii Remote
or Without Wii Remote
By navigating through the menus it is possible to play each of the mini games in isolation of any others - meaning that individual games can be chosen and played on their own.
To find the mini games follow:
Menu Screen : Mini games (bottom right/yellow box) : freeplay : (choose category of the mini game you want to play) : Game (choose the game from the selection)
These games are all unlocked so do not need endless play in order to unlock them. A full list of the mini games, controls and value during therapy sessions can be found by following this link
Some elements of this game can be played using adaptations, especially the use of a controller with external buttons for those who do not have the control to hold and press the Wii Remote buttons.
Other adaptations could be the use a wrist strap to support the controller on the back of the wrist or ankle to create the movement needed for some of the games. Alternatively the controller could be used with this Fit Board adaptation for the games to work on balance.
This game is similar to Wii Play but with much more too it. There are some basic 'pointing' games that allow for development of upper limb/hand control without the complication of using buttons.
As with most games there are some very useful and therapy friendly elements to Wii Party. The numerous minigames offer a spectrum of short activities that have the potential to help patients regain some co-ordination, reaction speed, dexterity and general upper limb skills.
Never the less Wii Party offers some basic and fun games that can successfully be used and incorporated within a therapy session.
More info
Purchase from :
With a Wii Remote
or Without Wii Remote
Monday, 1 November 2010
Just Dance
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Just Dance is an active game that requires the player to follow a sequence of dance moves during well known songs. The game only requires the use of one Wii Remote in dominant hand.
As the player copies the dance moves points are given to the quality and effort of the movements but depends a little upon how the WiiMote is held in the hand and may take some practice to improve.
Each song is listed with indications of difficult and effort - out of 3 stars. The game also offers the choice of a short or long version of the songs. The short version is advantageous for those with limited stamina and the longer version for those who wish to work on cardiovascular fitness.
The game includes a warm up which is approximately 4 minutes long and is not scored or judged. Its main aim is to encourage gentle warm up exercises before using the main game which requires more effort, in a bid to reduce the risk of muscle injury during game play, but can be used as an opportunity to familiarise with the style of game.
Just Dance is a fun exercise orientated game that can be played by up to 4 people at once. Good range of movement is required in one arm in order to play this game successfully, with some songs being playable from a seated position, although sitting may compromise the final score.
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Thursday, 28 October 2010
Petz Sports - Dog playground
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Petz Sports - Dog playground is a simple and basic game where by the player has a pet dog that they can teach tricks to, pet, enter into races and play sports with as well as choose what attire the dog is dressed in.
The controls simply and only use the WiiMote along with its A & B buttons, at times both together but much of the game can be played with just the use of the A button.
There are some nice mini games incorporated in the game, including teaching the dog tricks which is a shape trace game and dog races, requiring co-ordinated combinations of movement and button pressing. Other mini games such as 'petting' 'closet' are less likely to hold any interest within therapy sessions, but might be light relief for younger players.
The game on the whole is easy to use and has multi player included.
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Sunday, 8 August 2010
Mountain Sports
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Mountain Sports is a collection of Winter sport games that utilises both the WiiMote and or the Balance board. It has good elements to it with regards to the use of the balance board in a sitting posture for tubing, sledging and bobsleigh. Skiing and Snowboarding use the balance board in a standing position with biathalon and curling best controlled with the WiiMote. The control of the games are sluggish at times which can serve as an advantage and disadvantage making the game more accessible to those with limited movements, without making it too hard. The games controlled by the WiiMote alone can be difficult due to the buttons needed for control.
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SSX Blur
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SSX Blur is a snowboarding simulation game that requires the use of both WiiMote and Nunchuk. Controls are intuitive and rely on fine movements and dexterity. Turning/steering is achieved by pro and supination of the wrists, buttons are required for movements and the Nunchuk joystick is used as further method of control.
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Rayman Raving Rabbids 2
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Rayman Raving Rabbids is the second Rayman game released for the Wii. The game is made up of a broad selection of mini games, the majority of which are already unlocked (you don't have to play the game to get access to them). The games are short, quirky and fun, mostly requiring simple movements. The mini games require a mixture of WiiMote and Nunchuk therefore offering the potential to develop a variety of hand function skills at differing levels. This game is excellent as a distraction during sessions due to simplicity of many of the games and movements required.
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Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
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Sonic and Mario Olympic Games is a collection of mini games relating to olympic sports. Most games can be accessed by just using the WiiMote but they can also be played using the Nunchuk as well. Most of the games require simple movements but can be considered complex with regards to the use of buttons. Without the use of buttons the character does nor perform as well and therefore it is very difficult to anywhere other than last in the games. For those with the cognitive ability to remember controls, coupled with dexterity to press buttons then this game offers the opportunity to work on cardiovascular fitness, sequencing and general control of upper limb(s).
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Links Crossbow
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Links Crossbow is a shooting game relying on aim and co-ordination. The game does use both the WiiMote and Nunchuk, with the Nunchuk joystick being used to control the direction of the player. It has a progressive level aspect as well as practice modes making it easy to dip into and find an appropriate level to work at. Games and tasks can easily be repeated to help with learning and familarity, allowing time to be spent on the development up upper limb control. This game has been used within therapy sessions, although not regularly.
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Blazing Angels
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Blazing Angels is a flight simulator game that requires complex use of both WiiMote and Nunchuk. The game is based on a storyline making it difficult to access different levels of the game to suit the user. The games requires high levels of dexterity, quick reaction speeds and control of movements, along with a good ability to remember the button controls in order to play the game. This game is rarely used in therapy.
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Shaun White Snowboarding
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Shaun White Snowboarding is a great game to work on both upper and lower limb movement. The game offers the choice between using the Balance board and Wii Remote or just the Wii Remote. The Use of the Wii Remote alone offers opportunities to work on dexterity and hand function, with the controls being to turn the remote in the direction required and press buttons (A and B) to achieve tricks. When using the Balance board it has to be turned through 90 degrees, so at a right angle to the TV. This requires the user to stand sideways (as if on a snowboard) to control the increase/decrease speed by leaning right and left, and left and right by leaning forwards and backwards. Shaun White is a very accessible game for those with just hand function and a great game to work on the higher end of balance when using the Balance board.
This game can be played with adaptations.
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Wii Music
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Wii Music allows the user to create tunes with a large selection of instruments. The game uses the WiiMote, the WiiMote and Nunchuk and in drum mode the game uses the fit board. It is a great game to work on upper limb movements, with the games interpreting the movements into music depending upon the instrument selected. Mini games within the program include handbell game, conductor of an orchestra and a music quiz - all accessible to those with minimal movements. The fit board, used in drum mode, requires the user to tap their foot/feet to create the effect of using a bass pedal and hithat control. This is a popular game during therapy sessions.
This game can be played with adaptations.
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Cooking Mama
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Cooking Mama is best described as a cooking simulator. The game is to follow receipe instructions to make dishes from around the world. The receipes include the preparation and cooking of food with some aspects of presentation.
It is a fun game that only requires the WiiMote as control. Buttons are needed at times along with a steady hand to point the controller at the screen. Many of the movements require reasonable accuracy, fine motor control and dexterity, although there are aspects of the game (accessible through the practice mode) that can be played by those with less control and accuracy as the movements are repeatative and non specific in nature.
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Carnival Games
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Carnival is a collection of fair ground games that most people will be familiar with, using the WiiMote intuitively to play the games. The majority of the mini games (of which there are 25) require a mixture of actions including throwing, rolling, shaking and pointing. The games only require the one controller and are very simple to use making it a great game to play whilst working on dexterity and fine or accurate control of upper limb movement.
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Following the successful use of Rayman Ravings Rabbids 2 with some clients, due to its variety of easily accessible mini games, its always worth considering the sequels. Both Rabbids Go Home and Travel In Time do have similar themes of mini games but the navigation is complex making it more difficult to individually pick games out as with Rayman 2.
Both games are stories whereby the player is guided from scene to scene. The story line within Go Home revolves around collecting as much rubbish as possible to make a tower in order to reach the moon and go home. The controls require both Wii remote and Nunchuk with a good degree of co-ordination and dexterity.
The Travel in Time storyline takes the player to different stages of the game by transporting them in a time travelling washing machine. As bizarre as it sounds some of the games within this Rayman plot were quite good but again the use of the Wii remote and Nunchuk quickly makes it less friendly for use in therapy. Travel in Time consisted of numerous mini games - similar to the successful Rayman 2 but lacked easy navigation and consequently reduced its ease of use.
Both are good games if you have enjoyed the crazy world of Raymans Raving Rabbids previously. They both require the use of the Nunchuk so need bilateral control, dexterity and co-ordination. With games similar to Rayman 2 available to use within a therapy session I struggle to identify why I would need or want to use either of these titles.
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