Fitness Boxing: Popular Nintendo Switch exercise game to be discontinued
Imagineer announced on August 30 that Fitness Boxing, an exercise game for the Nintendo Switch, will be discontinued on November 30, 2023 at 23:59. From this date, the full-length digital edition and demo version will not be available on the Nintendo eShop, and production of physical editions will also cease.
Fitness Boxing is a boxing-themed exercise game played by using the Joy-Con. The game is a casual, at-home Nintendo Switch adaptation of an authentic boxing program developed by the Fit Boxing Japan Association for the purpose of making boxing training safe and effective.
The game is played by performing boxing maneuvers while imitating the instructor’s on-screen demonstrations. The game automatically manages data such as burned calories, allowing players to exercise according to their goals, whether it be training, dieting, or eliminating lack of exercise. The game also supports local 2-player multiplayer, allowing players to enjoy Duet Mode, in which they take turns making maneuver combos, and Versus Mode, in which they can face each other off.
This title was released for the Nintendo Switch in December 2018 and became a hit, surpassing 1 million units sold worldwide as of September 2020. It was followed by sequels Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm and Exercise, and Fitness Boxing Fist of the North Star, a collaboration with the manga “Fist of the North Star.”
No reason has been given for the announced discontinuation of this title, but one possible reason could be that licenses for the songs used in-game are expiring. Fitness Boxing features rhythm game-like fitness workouts, where you dance to songs of popular mainstream artists such as Avril Lavigne, Lady Gaga, LMFAO, Maroon 5, and others. As mentioned above, a sequel has already been released, so the creators may have decided not to renew licensing agreements for the music.
Fitness Boxing is currently available for the Nintendo Switch and will be discontinued at 23:59 on November 30. However, it will still be possible to re-download the game and receive updated data after sales end. The sequel, Fitness Boxing: Rhythm and Exercise will continue to be available.
Written by. Amber V based on the original Japanese article (original article’s publication date: 2023-08-30 15:55 JST)
