Tag: Motion Controller

17 Controller-Free Games to Launch With Microsoft’s Kinect for Xbox 360

Will gamers get off the couch and get fit? That’s certainly the hope with the upcoming release of Microsoft’s Kinect for the Xbox 360. The motion-control system – which sort of makes the hype about “controller-free” seem not quite accurate – is already sold-out in pre-orders.

Despite that fact, Microsoft has now announced the launch of a multiyear advertising campaign, and more importantly revealed the lineup of 17 controller-free games. Of those, the ones that are most notable for the fitness crowd include:

  • Your Shape: Fitness Evolved (Ubisoft)
  • Dance Central (MTV Games/Harmonix)
  • The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout (THQ)
  • DanceMasters (Konami)
  • EA Sports Active 2 (EA Sports), which comes with Total Body Tracking that includes heart rate data
  • Zumba Fitness (Majesco)

Kinect for Xbox 360 will be available worldwide starting on November 4. It will be released as part of a new Xbox 360 4GB console bundle for $299.99, as well as a standalone unit for $149.99.

For more information:

Microsoft Xbox 360

Microsoft Announces Kinect Pricing

You won’t have to wait long to go controller-less with the Xbox 360. Today Microsoft announced that the Kinect game console add-on will be released in North America on November 4, and will cost $149.99. We were hoping that Microsoft would include a fitness game, but instead it looks like the motion and voice control system will be released with the game “Kinect Adventures.”

This game will be also be part of new Xbox 360 bundle, which will include the soon to be released matte black version of the console that now offers a 4GB hard drive. The quasi-fitness game “Kinect Sports” will also be available at launch on November 4, and we’ll expect many third party titles will also arrive in time for the holidays.

Xbox.com

Sony PlayStation 3 Gets Motion

A prototype of the PlayStation 3 Motion Controller.
Due out this fall, Sony PlayStation 3 Motion Controller.

Since before its release, the Nintendo Wii has been heralded as a “fitness” console. The fact that games are played better standing up with arms swinging does well to argue the point. Rival Sony Computer Entertainment today announced plans to release a motion controller of its own. It will become the de facto controller for the PlayStation 3 platform along with the DualShock controller. The Motion Controller does require an additional PlayStation Eye camera accessory to pick up a user’s movements. Before you protest, remember the Nintendo Wii has a motion sensor you have to place within a line of site of the controller to pick up movement.

Sony says the name Motion Controller is a working name and is subject to change. The Motion Controller is due to be released worldwide in fall 2010. The controller looks like a flashlight with a glowing bulb at the end. There will be games available at the time of release from both Sony and third party developers. Ape Escape, Motion Party, Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition, and Under Siege are among the titles listed in development that support Motion Controller. Additional games include LittleBigPlanet, Pain, Flower, and EyePet. As with the Nintendo Wii controller, some games will take advantage of the motion and get gamers moving. Others games will use smaller motions that don’t offer the calorie burning benefits, and might even allow players to sit on the couch.