*FamilyFriendlyVideoGames.com Favorite* - This was one of our favorite family-friendly video games we saw at the E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles in June.
Kinect Sports is scheduled to be one of the first games available for Microsoft’s new Kinect add-on for Xbox 360. The game is a combination of a number of different mini-games, including boxing, soccer, hurdles, javelin, bowling and ping pong.
Each mini-game requires you to interact with the Kinect camera in a different way. Boxing will track your arm movements and body positions as you take on an opponent. Soccer will need you to run in place and use your feet to simulate passing and shooting the ball. Hurdles and javelin are two more that will require you to run and place, and time your jumps to clear the hurdles, or use a throwing motion to launch the javelin. The bowling interface does not require you to walk to the line, but instead focuses solely on the swing and release of the bowling ball from your arm. Ping pong will need you to simulate holding a ping-pong paddle to swipe at the ball onscreen.
The game appears to be a solid compilation of mini-games that should have events and competition to appeal to the whole family. From the looks of the demonstrations, this is probably a game that’s best for a party-atmosphere where many different people are testing out the Kinect camera for the first time, or for quick, competitive bursts of gameplay.
INFORMATION FROM COMPANY FACT SHEET
Turn your living room into a world-class stadium, bowling alley, soccer pitch or track-and-field arena. With “Kinect Sports” you’re not only the star player, you are the controller — through the magic of Kinect for Xbox 360. See a ball? Kick it. Spike it. Even give it a little topspin. “Kinect Sports” features soccer, beach volleyball, bowling, table tennis, track and field, and boxing.
Simple, intuitive and instantly fun, “Kinect Sports” delivers the ultimate party experience — whether you are trying to outmaneuver the goalie to win the soccer match or cheering on your friends at ringside. The first full-body, controller-free sports game, “Kinect Sports” is so real, you will almost feel the wind in your hair as you fly over hurdles and the sand in your toes as you set, bump and spike your way to volleyball victory.
Details, Details, Details
• Become a multisport athlete. “Kinect Sports” features six team-based and individual sports — soccer, beach volleyball, bowling, table tennis, track and field, and boxing — with many challenges for each experience. Getting into the game is as easy as stepping in front of your TV.
• Take one for the team. “Kinect Sports” includes a variety of fun game modes for solo, cooperative and competitive play with levels to encourage and challenge players of all ages and skill sets. Sports Party mode allows you to compete against a friend, rally a whole room full of players into teams, with everyone jumping in and out to catch a breath, or bring your team to victory.
• Live your sports star dreams. “Kinect Sports” puts your avatar in the spotlight and lets you experience what it is like to be a world-famous sports star. Bask in the glow of the paparazzi fervor with your teammates after a big victory and deck out your avatar with stylish rewards for your proudest gameplay feats.