Wii Fit users beware: do not play over a thick carpet

There are times when it really pays to read the directions. Even Nintendo Wii owners aren’t exempted from this, especially if they’re into games like Wii Fit. The reason? The Wii Balance Board Operations Manual has some very important instructions regarding thick carpets. More specifics follow in the full article after the jump.

Nintendo’s Wii Fit may be a popular game, but players must have a care when playing it. As with all activities out there, there are certain no-nos that users must learn to steer clear of. In this case, it’s doing those Wii Balance Board exercises on a thick carpet.

A closer look at leaked pictures of the Balance Board Operations Manual will tell you why: thick carpeting tends to interfere with the Board sensors, thus throwing body weight and balance measurements off. That’s precisely why those people in Japanese TV spots do the Wii Fit jingle with the Balance Board set on a bare, flat floor.

Fortunately, Nintendo has a remedy for those who may not have the luxury of having such a floor. Foot extensions should be able to lift the Balance Board high enough to avoid measurement accuracy problems. According to the pictures, the extensions will be sold separately, so you’ll have to check with Nintendo’s Service Center for purchasing details.