Poké Pedometer?

[Lyri]

Apparently when you buy Pokémon: Heart Gold or Pokémon: Soul Silver, you get a little pokéball that you can carry around with you in your pocket that counts how many steps you take.

I'm confused. Why exactly is this being released with the game? What's next, a Zelda blood pressure monitor?

Of course, I could be wrong, but that's what the ad seems to be showing. If anybody can translate Japanese, or has a better speculation as to what this device is or does (does it evolve you pokemon as you walk?), please feel free to explain.


Link for the ad follows:
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/japanese-debut-pokemon-heart/52494

EDIT- It seems the fine folks at The Escapist newsroom have already solved this dillema, explaining all about the strange little peripheral with this article [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/92264-Train-Pokemon-While-Walking-In-Gold-Silver-Remakes]. That said, in order to make this thread discussion worthy, I ask you- what are the strangest/most innovative/most useless peripherals you have ever encountered in gaming?

Also, about the pedometer, why do I envision a bunch of clever kids just putting these things on top of their washing machines and dryers?

As you may have noticed, Nintendo is on a raging health trend. They want gamers to get a little more exercise which is admirable.
With this device you can put a pokemon on it and walk it's levels up.

I might get it, grab a starter and go walk up one of the hills in the Lake district of England.
See what happens with a trip up and back down, how many levels I will get.

 

[Assassin Xaero]

Think the sadness goes up with the age...

 

[TK421]

Although I am no longer a Nintendo fan [small](i think most of their games are stupid and the things that come come with them are even more so)[/small] but I actually think this is a good idea.

 

[ElTigreSantiago]

I'm going to make a machine that shakes it all day and night, I will have level 100s in no time!

 

[ffxfriek]

the ds touch screen. waste of my money...

 

[MetallicaRulez0]

When this comes out I will definitely be searching for the best appliance to tape it to so that it counts steps without me having to exercise.

 

[Ultrajoe]

One more accesory for my dogs collar, it seems, the hyperactive little fuzzball will have made my party all level 99 within a week.

 

[Emperorpeng]

My first impression, being uneducated about what the hell a pedometer was, I thought, "Oh great, a pedophile meter....for a game."

Anyways, my opinion. I can picture a bunch of kids sitting down and just ending up shaking the hell out of the meters.

Well hey, what better game to attach a pedophile sensor to than a pokemon game? Keeps junior out of the way of creeps.

In all seriousness...meh, just another gimmick.