When Xbox released this – they said “you are the controller”. It couldn’t be more true – and I hope my Xbox Kinect review helps you in some way if you’re on fence about buying one. We bought one for our Xbox 360 last fall when they first came out, and have been using it since.
What is an Xbox “Kinect”?
Well first let me say that we’ve had about every console gaming system in our house over the last 10 years ever made. Every version of all platforms, all add-ons, adapters, games, controllers, chargers – you name it. A few years back we thought that the Wii was cool, but after a few months it lost it’s “coolness” – and after 6 months of owning it, we just gave it away to other family that wanted one. The Xbox Kinect is the first video game “thing” in forever I can actually say is revolutionary. It’s applications beyond video gaming and potential are incredible.
The Kinect either sits on top of your TV, or at the base. It actually is a controller – or rather, it allows you to use your body as a controller completely. When using it, you don’t need an Xbox controller at all. Your hands, your feet, and your body are your controller. The Kinect has multiple cameras inside, and a 3D scanner system that tracks movement. It has facial recognition, “gesture recognition”, and voice recognition abilities, and can track 2-6 people playing at once 3-12 feet in front of a TV.
How Well does Kinect Work?
I have to tell you that I’m not an Xbox proponent at all, and I never thought they’d become a force in gaming at all. I hate Windows, and primarily use Linux on my computers. We only own an Xbox because our son has been an Xbox gamer since day 1. I grudgingly forked out $149 for the Kinect bundle on launch day because it was so damn expensive. Then we brought it home, with Dance Central, Kinectimals, and Kinect Adventures.
First we set it up and had our 4 year old play Kinectimals. I could not believe how easy it was for him to play – because he hates using a controller, and really doesn’t play video games (yet). The Kinect is intuitive, and allows him to interact with an on-screen animal incredible well.
Next we tried “Dance Central”. That game is addictive, and more challenging than any Guitar Hero game ever put out. I actually saw my kids sweating doing all the moves for hours (and literally sore the next day). Kinect Adventures was great for the whole family – and has seen hours and hours of fun to date.
What makes Kinect “Revolutionary”?
Not only is there no controller at all (that you have to manipulate or hold) – “it just works”, and it works well! INCREDIBLY well! I’m a gadget minded tech geek, and my mind was just spinning with all the potential medical, military, and “hacked” uses the Xbox Kinect could (and will) have. Microsoft plans on having Kinect drivers in Windows 8, and open source drivers are already available for Kinect, both from third party developers – and from the company that create Kinect, PrimeSense.
I’ve read stories already about Kinect being researched for use with patients with spinal cord injuries, to control a computer with only their eye movements; some professional gamers are increasing their skills using Kinect, for example the amazing Hearthstone Boosters at Elitist Gaming level accounts for their clients in matters of minutes with Kinect. MIT is working on a JavaScript Chrome extention to control the browser with hand gestures, and also using Kinect to control robots. You can only guess what types of military uses it could have. The Kinect is like a 3D webcam on steroids, and I think that this technology is only the beginning.
Where can I get a Kinect?
You can get an Xbox Kinect on Amazon, which comes with the Kinect Adventures game (which is really fun:
You can also find them on ebay, both new and used. Hopefully, you’ll find a great deal there – since Kinect has been out since last Fall – and there’s bound to be lots of people selling theirs for some quick cash by now:
Kinect for sale on eBay:
[EASYBAY]xbox kinect[/EASYBAY]
