18 Oct, 2010
Microsoft have officially announced the UK line-up of games to be released alongside their new motion-sensing peripheral Kinect next month.
The idea behind Kinect and the technology involved is revolutionary. No physical input device is required – you are the controller. In theory this device could change the way we game forever. In practise, it’s not looking likely. From what we saw at this year’s Eurogamer Expo, some of the games developed for Kinect, such as Harmonix’ Dance Central, work very well and, while it’s all very mortifying to watch, there seems to be a lot of fun to be had. Other launch titles don’t show anywhere near as much promise.
The list of games available on the day of Kinect’s release gets a little repetitive so I’ll condense it down. Three dance games, two sports games, two fitness games. The following week, another sports game. The week after that, another sports game and two more fitness games. Factor in a glorified Tamagotchi and, if the previews are anything to go by, another atrocious Sonic hoverboarding game, Kinect is in serious danger of becoming a very expensive bookend.
For £129.99 – Kinect’s asking price – you could pick up a Wii console, or for less than half you could get yourself a PlayStation Move starter pack. It’s obviously going to take a while to get off the ground, but will Kinect offer enough in the long-term to convince gamers, casual or otherwise, to take the plunge? How will it fare as part of the motion-control triple threat, and should Nintendo be concerned by their new rivals? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think!
Anyway, enough of my witterings – here is the list of Kinect launch titles in full.
November 10th
Crossboard 7
Dance Central
Dance Paradise
DanceEvolution
Fighters Uncaged
Kinect Adventures
Kinect Joy Ride
Kinect Sports
Kinectimals
MotionSports
Sonic Free Riders
The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved
November 19th
EA Sports Active 2
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 The Videogame
November 26th
Game Party: In Motion
Get Fit With Mel B
Sports Island Freedom
Zumba Fitness
Kinect is released in the UK on November 10th, priced at £129.99.
To be honest, there doesn’t seem like much going on here except for fitness and dance titles. As I’m not really in the market for either, Kinect won’t be an immediate purchase, as I will have to see what else becomes available for it down the line.
Same here Mikey. The word is that hardcore gamers will be looking at an 18 month wait for anything that appeals, which isn’t good. Time will tell I guess!
Agree completely; there isn’t a single thing on that list that looks interesting.