After the phenomenal success of Wii Fit it is hardly surprising that other companies are bringing out more sports or fitness games and this title from the sports experts at EA Canada is not only one of the first but is actually a very credible alternative to Wii Fit, and at approximately half the price as well.

At first, actually, the game appears very similar to Wii Fit because it asks the player to create a personal profile and create a personal daily journal that will calculate the user’s daily intake of food and exercise. It also offers a personal trainer to help the user through their daily routine. Unlike the one with the Wii fit board though, the two instructors that you choose between are very chatty, very helpful instructors

However this is where the comparison really stops. Where Wii Fit for many people was a ultra serious machine that combined good posture with yoga and exercises, EA Sports Active is a much more fun programme which features a range of fitness options including calisthenics, marathons, sports activities and cross-training.

The pack comes complete with a resistance band and a leg strap which you tuck the nunchuck into. The programme is also compatible with the balance board should you own one.

In between the standard running and weight training exercise there are some entertaining diversions such as boxing and inline skating.

As well as the single player mode there is also an option to do this with a colleague. However, remember that you only get one set of equipment with the machine so unless you go out and buy the game twice one of you will have to do without.

Graphically the game features solid easy to follow graphics and the sound in the game is clear and understandable when it comes to the instructions. Unfortunately the music used is a bit uninspired but it is liveable.

Overall this is a great programme and as I said a very credible alternative to Wii Fit. It is not perfect as there are times when for some reason the programme didn’t recognise when I made a particular movement. It also argued with me at one point that I didn’t have the nunchuck in the right place. Also, in some events the wire between the nunchuck and the Wii remote cannot help but get in the way which could lead to accidents.

Having said that, once you get over the difficulties the programme offers a very varied workout with lots of different activities to keep it fresh and stop any boredom settling in. It is tiring, especially in the heat wave we are experiencing in the UK at the moment but you can tell it is doing you good.

If you cannot afford Wii Fit then buy this, if you can afford both then do so because they will easily complement each other.

Well worth purchasing.