Wii Fit Plus

Nintendo/Wii (£89.99 with board, £19.99 without, 3+)

This is more of a refinement than a sequel to last year’s smash hit fitness title, a fact reflected in the price of the software, although if you have never played it before you will still need to splash out on a weight-and pressure-sensitive Balance Board. As a gym refusenik and first-time player of any Wii Fit title, I was struck by how smoothly the wireless Balance Board integrates with the Wii. After a quick assessment based on height and weight, the machine invites you to set a goal, then tailors a programme for you to achieve it. The programmes contain a mix of stretching-based yoga and more physical activity such as show boxing. The only challenge, as with the gym, is sticking with your programme. Some exercises feel slightly awkward or forced, but there’s not much else to complain about when, for less than a month’s gym fees, you have a gently paced fitness solution you can use in your own home. Nigel Kendall

Ju-on: The Grudge

Rising Star/Wii (£29.99, 16+)

Based on the horror film The Grudge, you use the Wiimote as a flashlight that allows you to explore various dark and creepy scenes. There are no weapons, no puzzles to solve or any fast-moving Tomb Raider action. All you do is wander into a scene, pick up spare batteries for your flashlight and find a key to access the next area. Ju-on isn’t really a game — it’s more like having an interactive ghost train in your living room. The graphics are mediocre, but the suspense and frights are so good it doesn’t matter. A nice bonus touch is that it records how much the Wiimote shakes when a fright happens and gives you a fright score at the end of each level. If you like the chills from watching a horror film and are of a sturdy enough disposition not to be too scared by deathly white, undead women and children jumping at you unexpectedly from dark corners, this is for you. David Hutchinson

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

Sega/DS, Wii (£29.99, £39.99, 3+)

If you have the Balance Board from Wii Fit, prepare to put it to good use in the Wii version of this title. Although they work fine with standard controllers, some of the sledding and skiing games here don’t yield maximum fun until you’re standing skiing in your living room. Sadly, Balance Board games are single-player only, but the remainder can be played by up to four. Doing well in an event can unlock further challenges or Dream Events, cartoon versions of Olympic Games that bear the same relation to the original as Mario Kart does to Formula One. Although I’m no fan of sports games, once you add cartoon mascots to a sloppy ice-covered scenario, you’re on to a gaming winner. This is a great package and a terrific family game. For once, the DS version feels just as inventive. NK