Kinect News
August2011
Reader Blog Losing 80 Pounds with Kinect and Dance Central
It can be done
In the first of a new series of reader blogs, we're sharing stories from Kinect fans just like you. We want to hear bout any success stories you might have had — a great video you made in Yoostar 2, a world record score in Kinect Sports or something awesome made possible by Kinect. You can contact KINECTaku to share your story, and...
News You Can Look This Stupid Playing Champion Jockey
Live the dream
There's no easy way to say this: if you play Champion Jockey, you're probably going to look a bit foolish, especially if this new tutorial video is anything to go by. The demonstrator in the video below is clearly aware of how silly he looks but carries it like a champ, even roping in a second player for some truly momentous...
News Grab a Matte Xbox 360 250GB with Kinect
Gloss over
At the moment the Xbox 360 S comes in two flavours: 250GB and 4GB, in glossy and matte finishes respectively. A new challenger is about to enter the ring though, with a matte 250GB console on the way. There's no word on when the new bundle will be available or if Microsoft has made any changes other than taking the dust-sucking gloss...
July2011
News Microsoft Announces Limited Edition R2D2 Xbox 360
Told you so
We exclusively revealed the limited edition Star Wars Xbox 360 with white Kinect two weeks ago, and now Microsoft has made the bundle official. The white R2-D2 Xbox 360 S, C-3PO-inspired control pad and white Kinect sensor will launch with Kinect Star Wars later this year, with exclusive downloadable content in the console box too...
News Go On a Fitness Adventure with Jillian Michaels
More Kinect adventures
Jillian Michaels is really working herself into a video game-related frenzy these days: she's already appeared on The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout and later this year her buns of steel will be challenging you to push yourself to your limits (we assume) in Jillian Michaels' Fitness Adventure. Rather than put you in a smelly...
First Impressions The Black Eyed Peas Experience
Rock that body
Michael Jackson: The Experience was a pretty good attempt at bringing the King of Pop to the living room, but the Black Eyed Peas are a totally different undertaking: whereas the MJ game put you in Michael's shoes in his legendary live shows and music videos, in The Black Eyed Peas Experience you don't play as Will.i.am, Fergie or the...
First Impressions Just Dance 3
Get on the floor!
Until now Harmonix has undoubtedly had the Kinect dancing market all sewn up, but that dominance will meet its sternest challenge yet in October when Ubisoft brings the astonishingly successful Just Dance brand across to Xbox 360 in the luridly coloured form of Just Dance 3. At first glance, very little has changed from its Wii...
First Impressions Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012
Toned up
Ubisoft knows when it's onto a good thing: not only is the publisher bringing Just Dance 3 to Kinect, it's also gearing up to launch a sequel to the sensor's biggest selling fitness title. Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012 is set for release this November with all the original game's content and some new tricks up its sleeve too. Game...
News There's a Kinect Game Out Even We Didn't Know About
Hope you like singing
We pride ourselves on knowing pretty much everything there is to know about Kinect, but we're not infallible Kinect-powered robots: sometimes we miss things. This is one of those things. While there are still no Kinect-enabled games to download on Xbox Live Arcade, there's already an Indie game available: Avatar Superstar for...
First Impressions Kinect Sports: Season Two
Another big score for Microsoft?
Last night we brought you our First Impressions of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier from Microsoft's Christmas showcase, and next on our travels was the sequel to Rare's Kinect Sports, without doubt one of Kinect's best launch games. We were quickly told that the motion tracking had been vastly improved from the first...
News Microsoft to Release Limited Edition Star Wars 360 Console with Kinect
Special R2-D2 themed model in the works to coincide with the release of Kinect Star Wars
We've just heard from one of our close sources in the retail sector that Microsoft is prepping a limited edition R2-D2 Xbox 360 console — complete with Kinect sensor — set to launch alongside the forthcoming Kinect Star Wars. According to our reports, the...
News Make Your Room Bigger with Nyko's Kinect Zoom
40% less space required
If your living room isn't quite big enough for Kinect to work properly, you might be interested in Nyko's handy new accessory, the Zoom for Kinect. The peripheral manufacturer has announced the new bit of kit will release across North America on 23rd August at $29.99. Clipping over Kinect's eyes, the accessory means you'll...
Rumour Fighters Uncaged Preparing for Round 2
Make it stop
Not had enough of the physical torture inflicted by Ubisoft's Fighters Uncaged? Ubisoft has got you covered then, according to a recent release schedule from major retailer Gamestation. The list reveals Fighters Uncaged 2 from Ubisoft, with a release date of 11th November. No further information is given. Gamestation has previously...
June2011
News Forza Motorsport 4 Limited Edition is Packed with Extra Cars
Soak it all up
Microsoft just revealed its big Forza Motorsport 4 Limited Collector's Edition, containing 25 extra cars and a stack of other additions to convince you to part with your hard-earned £59.99. Inside the special edition you'll find cars from Lamborghini, Bugatti, Ferrari and more, though it's worth pointing out that most — if not all...
Rumour Power Rangers Samurai Suiting Up for Kinect
Become Megazord!
You can already be a Japanese superhero with Kinect, and Ubisoft's PowerUp Heroes will transform your Avatar in a super being, but neither can quite quench the desire to become a Power Ranger. Perhaps Power Rangers: Samurai will do the trick. Spotted at GAME and
News Fruit Ninja Kinect Release Date and Price Confirmed
Coming to fruition in August
We love Fruit Ninja Kinect here at Kinectaku — that much should be obvious from our exhaustive Fruit Ninja Kinect preview. Thankfully, the rest of you will be lucky enough to experience this amazing title on the 10th of August, because it's being launched as part of Microsoft's Summer of Arcade 2011. The Big M has just...
First Impressions Fruit Ninja Kinect
Ripening nicely
If you happen to own a modern smartphone then you’ve probably already sampled the delights of Halfbrick’s amazing Fruit Ninja. The game has now registered over 20 million downloads across mobile formats, and rightly so — it’s one of those unique titles that takes a very basic premise (in this case, the slicing and dicing of...
News 2K Play Announces Nickelodeon Dance for Kinect
Get down with the kids
2K kids label 2K Play is mining a rich seam of Kinect games based on Nickelodeon characters — first here was Nicktoons MLB, now there's Nickelodeon Dance, coming to Xbox 360 later this year. The game will feature Dora the Explorer, Diego and the Backyardigans, whom we assume your kids or younger siblings might recognise...
News Look Out Dance Central, Just Dance 3 is Coming to Kinect
This just got interesting
Dance Central 2, your competition has arrived: Ubisoft just announced Just Dance 3. The multiformat game — it's heading to Wii and PlayStation Move too — has got an exclusive mode on Kinect, the karaoke-styled "Shout Out" mode that gives you points for singing along as you groove. Will Just Dance 3 continue to...
May2011
News Kinect, PlayStation Eye and Wii All Mount Your TV
Why change?
CTA Digital's Kinect wall mount and TV clip lets you easily switch between the sensor and Sony's PlayStation Eye for PlayStation Move, but if that's just too much like hard work — or you have a Nintendo Wii too — then dreamGear's Trimount might be for you. The enormous mount lets you stack your Kinect, Eye camera and Wii sensor bar...
News Pro Boxer James DeGale Practises with Kinect Sports Boxing
Recently lost. Probably a coincidence.
As countless tired gamers can attest, Kinect Sports boxing is a tough workout, but it's so gruelling even professionals use it to keep their training interesting. Professional boxer James DeGale recently took media behind the scenes at his gym in Essex, where he revealed he loves nothing more than a bit of...
News Blacklight Team Working on Kinect "Zero Person Shooter"
So CV says
According to a pair of CVs posted on LinkedIn, Zombie Studios is in the process of creating a new title for Kinect. The team behind admittedly mediocre online shooter Blacklight: Tango Down is apparently creating a "zero person shooter" according to one programmer's CV, that uses the Unreal Engine 3 currently seen powering Gears...
Talking Point What Should Microsoft Do With Kinect At E3?
Tell us your hopes
Microsoft's E3 2011 news conference is only a few weeks away, and our thoughts are turning towards what the company will show off on Monday 6th June. Here's a list of what we believe Microsoft should do with Kinect in order to capture the imagination like it did at E3 2010. Improved Tracking: In its current form, Kinect can...
News Forget Video Kinect, Skype is Coming to Xbox 360
Welcome news indeed
Video Kinect is Microsoft's free online chat programme for Xbox 360, and while it has a few neat tricks — Kinect will follow you around the room, zooming in and out accordingly — it's about to get some tough competition, as Microsoft has confirmed Skype is coming to Xbox 360. Microsoft shelled out $8.5 billion — the press...
News Microsoft's E3 2011 News Conference Details Confirmed
What new games will we see?
It's still highly unlikely we'll see a new Xbox and Kinect at E3 this year, but at least we know where and when the revelation would be made, as Microsoft has announced its pre-show conference details. The event kicks off on Monday 6th June, with guests asked to arrive by 9am Pacific Time, or 5pm UK time. The show is...
Rumour Avatar Kinect Launching 27th May
New updates roll out soon
According to Joystiq, the next round of Xbox Dashboard updates will begin to hit consoles everywhere from 19th May, with the big addition being the launch of Avatar Kinect on 27th May. Joystiq cites images sent through from a Microsoft technical support employee that reveal the release date, as well as reconfirming the...
News Analyst: New Xbox and New Kinect May Be Unveiled in 2012
Gaze into the crystal ball
Recent rumours suggested we'd see a new Xbox console at E3 next month, but these were quickly squashed and thrown away. But next year? That's much more likely, according to M2 Research analyst Billy Pidgeon. The brilliantly named analyst believes the new machine could be shown off at next year's E3 if Xbox 360 sales begin...
News A Kinect Steering Wheel? Now We've Seen It All
Hold out your hands
Try this tricky test of hand-eye coordination: hold out your hands in front of you. Okay, now pretend you're driving a car. Finding it difficult? Then CTA Digital has the solution for you. The company that brought you the Kinect Perfect Range Game Mat has created the Xbox 360 Kinect Steering Wheel. It's like one of the countless...
News New Kinect Wall Mount and TV Clip has a Dual Identity
Why just have one?
Don't know whether to choose a wall mount or a TV clip for your Kinect? Accessory manufacturer CTA Digital has the perfect solution for such a quandary: a peripheral that does both. The new Universal Wall Mount & Clip for the Kinect Camera & PlayStation Eye can be adjusted either to sit on top of the TV or attach to the...
News Perfect Range Game Mat Makes Judging Distance a Doddle
Get in the zone
Ever been frustrated by not knowing where to stand in your play area to get the most accurate detection from Kinect? Then accessory manufacturer CTA Digital has the solution to your problems! The Perfect Range Game Mat sits on your carpet and tells you exactly where you should stand, whether playing solo or with a friend, to get the...
News Let's Look at the Let's Dance with Mel B Track List
Get on the floor
Ex-Spice Girl Mel B is making quite a name for herself in the motion gaming world: following fitness title Get Fit with Mel B the formerly Scary one has teamed up with Ubisoft in the hope gamers will say Let's Dance with Mel B. Ubisoft has released the 28 songs players will be able to dance to when the game launches in Europe on...
March2011
News Kinect Input Lag Could Be Cut to Under 5 Milliseconds
Limb-tracking gets faster
When developers take the time to minimise Kinect input lag it's barely noticeable, but the sensor's response time could get even faster in future, according to a newly published Microsoft research paper. Essentially, the current method works out which of your limbs is which and then tracks them, frame-to-frame, says...
News Kinect Erotics is a Sexy, Sensual, Sensory Overload (NSFW)
Translation: Bit steamy
Carnivals, pets, minigames: these are all fine uses for Kinect's limb-tracking ability, but when the kids have gone to bed you might want to play a slightly different kind of party game. Ubisoft recently caused a bit of a fuss with We Dare on PlayStation Move and Nintendo Wii, but it's nothing compared to the saucy happenings...
News Join the Party with a Free Zumba Fitness Demo on Xbox Live
Or don't
Funky rhythm fitness game Zumba Fitness: Join the Party may not be the best exercise game on Kinect — in fact, it's one of the worst — but if you wanted to bring a little Latin flavour to your home workout you can now do so for absolutely nothing, thanks to a demo. Exclusive to Gold Members, the Zumba Fitness demo weighs in at a 4GB...
February2011
News Forget Kinect Sports Boxing, Kinect Punch-Out!! is the New Champion
One hit KO
We already know it's possible to play Super Mario Bros. on Kinect, but what about something a bit more suited to the sensor's purpose? While Rare did an admirable job of translating the sweet science in its Kinect Sports boxing mode, coder Dan Dockery has brought classic NES fighter Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! (also known as Punch-Out!!...
News Kinect to Receive its First Wartime First-Person Shooter
Heavy Fire: Afghanistan is real
The other day we told you about a new Kinect first-person shooter called Heavy Fire: Afghanistan, leaked by Gamefly. Since then we've been in contact with developer Teyon, who has confirmed the game is very real and on the way to multiple formats in April. The Heavy Fire series has appeared on WiiWare in the form of...
January2011
Rumour A New Lips Game is On the Way to Kinect
Another domain mystery
Earlier we reported EA may be bringing The Sims and SSX to Kinect, a rumour started by the registration of Kinect-related domains for both franchises. That's not the only Kinect web address registered this week though, as Microsoft also bought up KinectLips.com. Lips is Microsoft's karaoke title – its answer to SingStar, if...
Rumour EA Bringing The Sims and SSX to Kinect
Play the domain game
There may not be many official Kinect game announcements these days, but that doesn't mean there aren't Kinect games in the works, and EA may have a couple of big ones up its giant corporate sleeves. Microsoft recently registered several domains that point to Kinect-enabled versions of popular franchises The Sims and SSX:...
News EA Sports Looking to Bring Golf to Kinect in Future
But not this year
The bad news is that EA ran out of time to bring Tiger Woods to Kinect this year, but it's not game over for the idea of a hands-free golf game. Lead designer on Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters Mike DeVault spoke to Eurogamer about the sensor's potential, and although the didn't give any specifics it looks like future outings...
News Game with Olympic Fame in UK Kinect Sports Showdown
Competition commences soon
Feeling confident about your Kinect Sports prowess? Want to put it to the test? Microsoft UK is offering you the chance to do just that by taking on Olympic gold medal-winning sprinters Linford Christie and Mark Lewis-Francis. Winners of the competition will go head-to-head with the sprinters on Kinect's flagship sports...
Features A Guide to Kinect Fitness Games
Let's get sweaty
If you're looking to lose a few pounds as part of your New Year's Resolution, grabbing a fitness game for Kinect is a good way to go, but with so many out there how can you pick the one that's best for you? Here a brief rundown of all the fitness games currently available for Kinect, all of which we've exhaustively playtested and...
December2010
News Here's a List of Useful Kinect Voice Commands
Xbox, inform!
If your Kinect, like a naughty puppy, is failing to obey your simple commands then perhaps this helpful list of voice activation phrases for Kinect will help out. Most of these phrases are just for use in the Kinect Hub, though some are for use with Sky Player, for example. Remember that this is a partial list of phrases, so if you...
News Become Tom Hanks in Big with Kinect's Giant Piano Hack
Heart and soul
Kinect can be used to create art but what about music? Yep, that too, with this Kinect piano hack letting players tickle the ivories with no keyboard required. As well as being able to project a piano onto a desk it can also be used to create enormous keyboards on the floor, not unlike the classic scene from Big. This is another...
November2010
News You Can't Turn Your 360 On or Off with Kinect for a Good Reason
You're saving the planet
"Xbox, Dashboard. Xbox, Kinect. Xbox, turn off." That last voice command doesn't work and probably won't, as Kinect project manager Alex Kipman explained on Major Nelson's podcast this week. The reason the company doesn't allow you to turn your machine on or off with the sensor is very simple: it would mean your...
News Harry Potter Casts Magic Spell on Kinect This Week
Today in the US, Friday for Europe
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I is an unexpected milestone for Kinect: it's the first title to be labelled as "Better with Kinect", rather than the usual "Kinect Sensor Required" tag on the box. Whilst the main game is playable with a regular controller, the Kinect-specific content...
October2010
Rumour Kinect Adventures Disc Loaded with Demos
Try out new titles with pack-in game
Everybody who buys Kinect will get Kinect Adventures, but there might be a hidden surprise in the game as well, with current rumours pointing to the disc containing three playable demos. Short bursts of Dance Central, Kinect Joy Ride and Your Shape: Fitness Evolved are all apparently featured on the DVD,...
News Get Extra Kinect Adventures Content with this Live Token
More levels available for download
It's the perennial Christmas quandary: what do you get for the person who has everything? That's the problem facing Microsoft and Kinect Adventures – if the game is included with every Kinect sold, what do you give to gamers who like it? The answer is the Kinect Adventures Live Token, of course. Essentially a...
