Since Nintendo's Wii Fit exploded into the gaming scene in the mid-2000s, many other studios have been trying to recreate that success, but successful studios are mostly Nintendo's spiritual successor, Ringfit Adventure, landed in 2019 just before the pandemic and became a big hit.

These games are fun and they are designed to add gentle movements to your day rather than trying to replicate full strength training or cardio-focused workouts. But Quell, the UK-based startup behind the Quell Impact gaming system and Shardfall fitness games, wants to change that.

Instead of a balance board (Wii Fit) or a pilates ring (Ring Fit Adventure), Quell Impact has 2 handheld controllers and fitness tracking sensors With resistance bands attached to the waistband and wrist strap, allowing you to work your muscles during the game.

Quell Impact is available today (6/4) forQu269 from the Quell store. To play the company's first title, Shardfall, you'll need to get a Quell membership at Qu79.90 per year. This includes access to games, downloadable content, and new titles when released. Note that you need a PC or Mac to play, and Quell has recommended specifications. 

Shardfall looks like an easy blend between platformer and autorun games like Super Mario Run, but the company makes you get stronger and fitter.

Going to the gym or going out for a run is a great way to stay fit But the new platform from Quell caught my interest because workouts don't have to look specific ways to be effective. But I was worried that it would feel a bit like a gimmick, putting on a game first and a fitness second, or just that fun

But then I got the chance to try Quell Impact and Shardfall at the company's London office a few weeks ago. I didn't really think I needed it, but I was told to "come on workout clothes." But after 30 minutes of gameplay, I was sweating and out of breath.

To move forward in the game, you need to run on the spot with varying intensity. As you progress along the way, there are obstacles so you jump and squat to avoid them. This is the heart-focused part of the game. But at the end of each level there are bosses to defeat.

But instead of using the buttons on the controller, you need to punch, jab, block, and evade your opponent's attacks. The band attached to the wrist adds resistance and makes the muscles harder than if each punch was done alone. And, like running, the intensity changes.

Feeling the effects of late-onset muscle pain (DOMS) the next day is a surprisingly novel way for me to feel like Quell put fitness first, without actually focusing on the game, because I usually do not do much aerobic exercise other than walking and engage very little muscle needed to punch.

I will test the effects of Quell and report on experiences like playing Shardfall over the next few weeks and training alone at home. But for now, it seems promising as long as Quell can offer additional games to make membership good value for money.