Microsoft Kinect is here, and with it comes a huge line up of Kinect games for release. You’ll be able to pick up no fewer than 19 when the Xbox 360 peripheral hits stores on Wednesday, and we got a chance to fully test out seven of them in their finished state before launch, as well as a few others in non-final code. See what we made of them all here.
If you’ve got kids, they’ll absolutely adore this hilarious and beautifully crafted adventure stuffed full of mini games, and baby animals. Check out our full Kinectimals for Kinect review.
It’s a shame that this title doesn’t come bundled with Kinect itself, as it’s the best all around demonstration of what Kinect can do, and it’s absolutely hilarious too. Check out our full Kinect Sports review.
This isn’t just one of the best Kinect games, but one of the most truly groundbreaking titles we’ve ever played and a serious contender for game of the year. Magnificent. Check out our full Dance Central review.
As Kinect games go, this one is pretty shortlived. It’s stuffed full of killer moves for you to try and pull off, but the strictly single player challenge gets dull quickly. Check out our full Fighters Uncaged review.
Kinect Adventures
You’ll be getting this whether you like it not since it’s the only one of the launch Kinect games bundled with every sensor. Lots of mini games that just aren’t as good as Kinect Sports’. Meh.
Kinect Joy Ride
The premise of this Kinect game is so stupidly simple that anyone can play. You steer Xbox avatars around a course, holding an imaginary wheel and turning left and right, occasionally moving forward to boost. It gets very boring, very quickly in single player, despite the various events (Stunts, smashing, racing etc). Pit two knives against each other though in multiplayer, and you’ll have a blast.
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved
We’ll say it: this is better than Wii Fit. There’s no need for a balance board, since Kinect can track every part of your body accurately anyway, and it’s a great way to improve your stretching, and hone your workout routines. There are some polished mini games too, like skiing. Think of it as one of those workout DVDs that actually tells you where you’re going wrong. And without Davina McCall and her sweaty beak putting you off.
And some others we’ve tested…
These are Kinect games we’ve had the chance to play over the last few months at one potion or another, but aren’t final code.
Sonic Free Riders
Does anyone remember Snowboard Kids on the N64? No? It’s like that, only with the famous blue hedgehog, and no trident-shaped controller. Lean through lightning fast tracks and lob weapons at your competitors. The side by side multiplayer worked a treat too, even in the non-final code we tried.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
This Xbox 360 game with Kinect support is out on the 19th rather than the 10th, but we’ve had a couple of experiences with this in pre-release state, and sadly it’s not shown quite as much polish as other titles. It’s not so much the responsiveness of Kinect, as the fundamental flaws in how a railshooter should work. You can’t duck. Just point. Where’s the skill? Still, you can play most of the game with a regular Xbox 360 controller, so look out for reviews closer to launch.
