Microsoft Kinect Games

Microsoft’s Kinect for the XBOX 360 looks like it might revolutionize the way we play video games. With a camera and a microphone, you no longer have to hold a controller and you can now interact with the console by movement or voice – this opens up a whole new world of interactivity that could eventually move far beyond video games.

As I watch the demonstrations of the games on Youtube I really wonder if it’s going to be as good as it looks – if it is then it will change my gaming world! For one it will be the first step to getting myself fit as I start moving as I play video games, but secondly it’ll be one rung on the ladder to the next stage of technology that will revolutionize our lives.

While Kinect may not be superb, it definitely is innovative and just looking at some of the Kinect Games already available shows that the developers are looking outside of the box! Just look at the cute lion cub…aww!

At the moment there are only a dozen or so Kinect Games, but as time passes the number will increase and I expect the major developers will get on board – so book mark this site and I’ll add games as I become aware of them – I’ll also write reviews as I begin to play them!

Already the Kinect is creating a buzz in the gaming world and there are many Microsoft Kinect Games already in Production.

The following games will be released around the same time as the Microsoft Kinect is released

Dance Central

This game is exclusive to XBOX 360 and the Kinect. It’s a fun fill dance game from the developers of Rock Band – it is an immersive dance game that tracks full bodied movement. It has varying levels from beginners to master and a great sound track that allows you to start enjoying the dancing straight away – a great way to get fit!

Kinectimals

This game looks absolutely adorable – you get to meet a cub and make a friendship with it – it’s amazing what you can then do as you explore the countryside or simply play with your cub – with five different animals to choose from you get to interact and play with them – this is going to be a hit with the children.

Kinect Sports

Well if you’re a fan of the Wii then you’ve already experience sports with a motion controller. This takes it one step further by removing the controller. You have several games to play and use your full body to participate in the sports – the games are Soccer, Volleyball, Track & Field, Bowling, Table Tennis or Boxing.

Kinect Joy Ride

This is a fun karting game that becomes different as you don’t have to rely on a controller but can use your body to navigate obstacles and jump of high jumps.  With three stunning worlds to play in and plenty of boosts and opponents this becomes a very immersive and fun racing game.

Your Shape Fitness Evolved

It looks like there are going to be a lot of fitness games on the Kinect – with the freedom of the full body control this means that you can really immerse yourself into fitness games. Like many of these type of games you will be coached as you go  or use some of the family games that all can play. The game creates a program based on your fitness level and goals nad continues to get tougher as you progress.

Kinect Adventures

This is a game designed for multiple players – it’s an adventure game in which you have to navigate rapids, obstacles and try and save a laboratory – it’s a great team game that uses the Kinect to get you moving!

Zumba Fitness

Join the party with Zumba Fitness®, a one-of-a-kind, dance fitness workout set to sexy, high-energy Latin and international music! Find your rhythm and let go as Zumba instructor fan favorites Gina Grant, Tanya Beardsley and Zumba's creator Beto guide you through 30 routines that will work you into a sweat and make you forget you're even exercising. Featuring exclusive music and choreography, Zumba Fitness® for Kinect™ lets you see yourself on screen and naturally dance controller-free in an ultra fun interactive fitness party that's focused on the joy of movement!

Sonic Free Riders

Well it’s great to see Sonic on the XBOX 360 and this game is one of the fastest Sonic games ever – help Sonic win races by using your body to twist and turn through the stunning course – a great way to get fit while having a lot of fun!

Other games in development with no current release date:

Adrenalin Misfits

Well this is an interesting skateboarding style game based in some stunning fantasy worlds – it’s more of a combination of a fighting game and a boarding game making it very unique – with full use of the Kinect this game looks like it will be very exciting and challenging!

The Biggest Loser

Well if you’ve seen the TV series you’ll know what this game is about – it’s essentially another workout game but really is an intensive game that challenges you to lose the weight – with recipes tips and a diary it seems to be slightly different from the normal fitness game!

Child of Eden

This game looks very intriguing – it’s a shooter but it incorporates music and visuals to really enhance the game.

Essentially you’re in a battle to save Project Lumi which is a program designed to reproduce a human archive inside Eden  - an unknown virus invades it and it is your tastk to save Eden!

Dance Masters – another fitness dancing game – not much known about this game yet.

DECA Sports Freedom

Sports games are definitely going to be big on the Kinect. DECA Sports will allow you to replicate the movements of the sport you are playing – with ten sports to play this gives a variety of movements and really get into the games as if you were playing them! I’m particularly looking forward to the tennis and Boxing, although the other games look pretty fun too (Archery, Paintball, Beach Volleyball, Dodge Ball, Kendo, Mogul Skiing, Snowboard Cross, and Figure Skating)

Game Party – this is going to aim more at the family and will provide games for all ages – so far not much else is known.

Motion Sports – another sporting game for the Kinect – not much known currently.

Star Wars Kinect – no official release date on this, but you can guarantee it’s going to be a fast paced, light sabre waving pulsating game! I cannot wait!

 

Forza Kinect – well these racing games have always been great, so to see it on the Kinect and not have to use a controller is going to take this in an entirely new direction!

 

Potential Kinect Games – these games may have some use for Kinect but are not being designed around it:

Fable III – will have limited support for Kinect.

Call of Duty Black Ops – not really known how much support for Kinect there will be.