“EA Sports Active”
Genre: Fitness
Developer: EA Sports
Publisher: EA Canada
Platform: Nintendo Wii
ESRB rating: “E” for everyone
Price: $59.99
Grade: A-

Game Guy’s got a secret, and it has been burning in his throat for weeks, waiting for the right time to spill. And here it is:

He’s not your stereotypical gamer.

Of course, to some of you, this may be as much of a mystery as who shot J.R. (And if you’re under age 20, you’re wondering who the hell J.R. is anyway).

But to be clear to everyone else, Game Guy’s not the type who prefers sitting like a lump day and night hoping to reach the next level of … whatever. He’s out and about most of the time — biking, hiking, jogging — picking up a controller only after picking up a few weights and working up a sweat.

You see, in Game Guy’s world, games are fun, but they’re not life. On the contrary, life is what happens when you’re busy playing games, to borrow a little from John Lennon.

Which is why he relished the first chance to try Nintendo’s Wii console back when it debuted in 2006. Finally, here was an option to the butt-spreading, flab-inducing stagnation chronic with other consoles; Wii had the audacity to demand that players get up out of the chair and actually play.

“Wii Sports” was fun because of that. The baseball, boxing, tennis and such built into that title were great heart-pumping entertainment until it was obvious the games could be played from a chair merely by flicking one’s wrists, instead of swaying or swinging one’s arms wildly. “Wii Fit,” too, captivated Game Guy for at least a week with its own “wow” factor.

However, the other fitness-oriented casual titles you’re starting to see everywhere — the Jillian Michaels and Golds Gym vehicles being prominent examples — are little more than customized sales pitches tossed out like flotsam onto the Wii-inspired “exergaming” wave. With most such titles, the biggest loser actually turns out to be whoever is dumb enough to buy them.

So, Game Guy had doubts about how far he’d go with the latest player on the exergaming field, “EA Sports Active,” the giant game distributor’s delayed turn in this direction. Made to resemble “Wii Fit,” “Sports Active” tries taking that concept a step or two further by presenting challenges specially designed to demand sweat equity.

The EA way involves about two dozen 20-minute circuits of activities including biceps curls, squats, rows, dancing, throwing boxing punches and in-place jogging, all directed by a digital trainer who gives inspiration and advice. Players hold the Wii controller in one hand and, for some tasks, tuck the attached nunchuck in a leg strap that comes with the game. The Wii Balance Board can play a role in the workout if one wants, but isn’t necessary.

Tasks can be customized for certain fitness levels and played against another person in a split-screen mode — good for those folks feeling particularly competitive. At the end, players receive a bit of praise for their efforts and are encouraged to record their progress in a 30-day challenge calendar.

“EA Sports Active” also pries a little into a players’ personal lives, asking questions about eating and drinking habits, and how much time they spend watching TV. None of this matters, really; the game measures only what one does during each workout. But if you lack friends and want someone to talk to, there are worse choices than “Sports Active.”

Game Guy thought the included resistance straps were ineffective, at least for him, and the techno music playing behind most activities to be more irritating than inspiring. On the other hand, “Sports Active” lets players customize routines somewhat, so there’s less of a chance this title will wind up collecting dust on a shelf by the end of the week.

Overall, “Sports Active” makes a good first impression that lasts awhile longer than what’s offered by other exergames. The trick though is not to rely on “Sports Active” for exercise but to use it to supplement other vigorous activity. Because no matter how much better “Sports Active” or its ilk become, real fitness results occur only when you step away from the TV screen.