In a world of bizarre video game peripherals, Nintendo's Vitality Sensor is by far one of the strangest. Unveiled four months ago, the Wii's new gadget raised more questions than answers, as confused onlookers scratched their heads and wondered what the publisher would use it for. Unfortunately, the world's still waiting, as Nintendo has kept the device and supported games under wraps. That, of course, hasn't stopped us from imagining the possibilities, so we made a few predictions on the types of games that'll support it.
Before getting to the good stuff, it's important to understand the Vitality Sensor, or as the medical world calls it, a pulse oximeter. These useful devices attach to someone's finger or earlobe and help doctors measure oxygen levels in the blood while displaying a patient's heart rate. The non-invasive procedure uses two light-emitting diodes (one red, one infrared) to measure oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, producing a ratio (healthy readings hover within 90 to 95 percent); it requires a pulse to operate. Drop below that percentage, and doctors will conduct tests to determine the cause of the problem.
This, of course, leads us to the obvious question: what will Nintendo do with this thing? Thus far, we have images of someone holding a Wii remote in one hand while using the other to insert a finger into the Vitality Sensor. That, of course, doesn't give us much to work with, so here are some guesses as to the types of games/activities we'll see, both from Nintendo and third party publishers.
Fitness
Naturally, we expect Nintendo to use the Vitality Sensor with a new fitness game. Whereas the Balance Board gauges your weight, the Vitality Sensor will determine whether you have enough oxygen or satisfactory breathing habits.
On that note, a pulse oximeter should never replace a thorough respiratory exam, but Wii Fit should never replace a real personal trainer. And keeping with the Wii Fit tradition of "you're obese", you also don't breathe correctly, either.
That said, don't be alarmed if the Vitality Sensor slaps you with a 50 percent blood saturation level. It's merely Nintendo's way of exploiting the gimmick and encouraging you to play several mini games to improve your reading. We'd like to think that the Vitality Sensor gives accurate information, but think about it. If people take it too seriously, worriers will immediately run to their doctors, which is either a case study on mass hysteria, or proof that Nintendo struck a deal with the medical industry.
We do expect Nintendo to target overworked and stressed folks using a game designed to calm them down, perhaps through meditation, yoga or just breathing exercises. This will allow the company to promote Wii Fit as a game for the body, and this Vitality Sensor exclusive project as a game for the mind.
Dating
Five years ago, Ubisoft released a silly DS game called Sprung, one of the few dating simulators to appear in the U.S. In it, players go on dates with different people, and must woo their prospective mates with carefully chosen responses. Ultimately, it was a game of trial and error, with little skill involved.
Introducing a pulse oximeter to this equation would intensify the experience. Since the device keys off your pulse, the developers could use that technology to measure stress levels; we know, it's a stretch. The faster the heartbeat, the more nervous you are. Go past a certain level, and your date will respond to your character's disposition. Freak out, and she's gone. Calm down, and she'll invite you upstairs for coffee.
While novel, we can't figure out how the game distinguishes nervousness from genuine excitement.
Survivor Horror
When it comes to scary video games, the Vitality Sensor would bring us closer to the action. During play, we'd love to feel our pulses through the Wii remote. Imagine playing Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (with a finger inserted in the Vitality Sensor) while the other hand aims the remote at the screen, and feel your heart's vibrations in the remote, becoming more intense when a zombie latches on to your character and returning to normal after completing a mission.
Stealth
Taking that idea a step further, what if your pulse was somehow tied to a character, so that you both share the same lifeline? During a stealth-based game, a quickening pulse may affect Solid Snake from sneaking around, or prohibit someone in Grand Theft Auto from stealing a parked car before the cops arrive. And when said characters kick the bucket, they flatline; you, however, are still very much alive.
We could also see a lie detector. After getting kidnapped, you must answer a series of questions as calmly as possible (with an included microphone, of course). Good luck with that.
Trivia
Next to fitness freaks, trivia buffs probably have the most to gain with the Vitality Sensor. Just don't expect electric shocks if you answer questions incorrectly.
Since Nintendo has no immediate plans to announce games that work with the Vitality Sensor, we're left to speculate. We just hope the publisher doesn't use it with just one game. Otherwise, it'll be another discarded peripheral collecting dust.
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