Microsoft’s long awaited motion control camera gizmo for Xbox 360, Kinect, has today been released in the USA. This means that embargoes have been lifted, and the internet is being swamped with reviews of the new device.
To help you get an early idea of how the device is being received internationally, we have gathered a variety of reviews from around the internet.
IGN – 7.5/10
What it all boils down to is value to the consumer, and that is where we think Kinect’s biggest challenge lies. At $149.99, a motion-tracking camera add-on for the Xbox 360 is a tough sell, especially considering that the entry level variation of the Xbox 360 itself is only $199.99. It may sell very well to families and casual players, but for more traditional players, the cost of admission may be too steep.
CNET – 4.5/5
With its impressive body tracking and unique, controller-free experience, Kinect is great for casual gaming parties and workouts–assuming you have enough room to play it.
Endgadget – 6/10
The comparison everyone wants to make — including Microsoft and Sony themselves — is how Kinect stacks up against the Move. By the numbers, picking up Move starter bundle and an extra controller is the same price, and in that setup you also get a two-player experience. Move’s Sports Champions is arguably a stronger bundled title compared to Kinect Adventures. But really, we feel like both systems — along with Nintendo and the Wii — are just taking a different approach to the same issue. Where does interaction go next? How do you bring it to the living room? Back to the Kinect, though: we think there’s some fighting spirit inside that glossy shell, but it’s definitely got a lot of growing up to do first.
It was ironic that in searching for an electric socket in which to plug my Kinect a week ago, I had to unplug my Wii. I now need to find a second socket. Kinect doesn’t replace the Wii any more than it does an Xbox controller. It’s not even a sure thing as a games platform, not until it has its first great game. But it doesn’t have to be. If Kinect becomes nothing more than a replacement for the TV remote, it’ll prove to be a winner. For its launch price, though, it needs to be more. If Microsoft keeps supporting it, and if its flaws can be patched and improved through software, Kinect can be revolutionary.
ElectricPig – 5/5
We suspect there are more than a few people out there who are still wading through Fallout: New Vegas, and have both Call of Duty: Black Ops and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood on pre-order. You know what you want from a game, and most of the Kinect games ready for Microsoft Kinect launch day won’t tempt you – and until more comprehensive media control comes to Kinect, we suspect little will change your attitude.
Likewise, if you’re after true 1:1 motion for fast action games, it’s not as accurate at speed as PlayStation Move, with games still going down the stock animations road for all but gentle movements. Table tennis on Sports Champions, for instance, is much more impressive than its equivalent in Kinect Sports.
But for the price (£129 on its own), Microsoft Kinect still represents a phenomenal way to get the whole family involved in gaming in a manner that not even Nintendo has managed. And there’s so much potential, we’re aching with excitement. Sure, an Xbox 360 with Microsoft Kinect may cost almost twice as much as a Wii, but it’s worth it.
USA Today – 3.5/5
However, it’s difficult not to be impressed by Kinect. It will be interesting to see how game developers make use of this technology. Still, for those players afraid to take the plunge into video games, this might be the chance to connect.
Blast Magazine – B
Kinect is a neat peripheral with some cool tech. It may not revolutionize the gaming industry like Microsoft claims yet, but it shows some great promise. More than anything, we’re excited about what developers will do with it after they really get time to open up the peripheral’s engine and tinker around. How these developers build these experiences will determine whether Kinect is a failure or the next big thing in gaming.
Local pricing and availability
Kinect is on track for its South Africa launch next week Wednesday, November 10th. The standalone Kinect bundle will sell for R1999, and there will also be a bundle which includes a 4GB Xbox 360 available for R3699.
Should you buy it?
From the looks of things, as suspected, Kinect will not be a device which appeals to core gamers. Pricing is also an issue, and at this point it seems difficult to justify R2000 on a casual gaming device which is aimed at kids and grannies.
Are you planning on getting Kinect next week? Share your views in the MyGaming forums.
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