This Pixar-themed collection of movement games contains five multi-level games; each game is based on a different set of movie characters. You start by entering a Pixar theme park; to move you pump your arms (as if running). You’ll soon discover different gates for the Incredibles, Ratatouille, Up, Cars 2 and Toy Story 3. Each story contains an obstacle course where you must jump, climb and run your way to the end. A co-op mode lets a second player jump in or out of an activity at any point. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This second Just Dance Kids contains 40 new dances for 1 to 4 players, plus some new platform options (the last version was Wii only). The dances are led by a squad of real kids, who model the moves. Content includes songs from The Wiggles and Yo Yo Gabba, as well as covers of popular songs including Whip My Hair, Just the Way You Are and Burning Up. A shuffle mode lets you select your favorite songs for non-stop dancing, and there’s a playlist option, say, for a party. The Wii version features a four player cooperative mode, as well as a Balloon Mode where kids compete against each other to get more items and earn more points by shaking their Wii Remotes. The Kinect version tracks kids movements with the sensor and features a Create mode that lets kids star in their own music video and create their own original dances for any song. The Playstation Move version lets kids capture their dance moves using the PS3 camera to snap photos while dancing, and can be played with up to four players. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Are you ready to “enhance your mind-body connection?” Drop this DVD into your XBox Kinect system, and you’ll have your own Indian meditation guru, at your service. The game is organized into seven types of meditations, each designed to help you focus and connect to your personal “flow state.” Each activity is introduced by Deepak Chopra, the relaxation expert best known for a long association with Michael Jackson.There are seven lessons, each introduced by Chopra’s relaxing, authoritative voice coaching you to relax– “imagine the air as water.” Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
After you log in using the innovative interface (you see yourself rendered inside the menu, and touch what you want), you choose which of up to eight players will play in the three game modes. To play, you must shape your body to match the shapes you see on the screen. The games include Shape Frenzy (mimic the shape that appears on the screen to earn points based on how well you fill its silhouette); Twist & Fit (avoid the wall and fit your silhouette through cutouts coming at you on a moving wall, scoring points by passing through a wall without touching); Break It Down (work your way through a stack of colored blocks by assuming their form. When a shape is removed, the wall above will begin to crumble); and Spot On (Challenge up to three players or four teams of two) in a game of contortion H-O-R-S-E. Create a shape and see if your friends can match it. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Content of this two player game for Kinect and Wii includes 30 songs that feature Dora, Diego, and the Backyardigans as models. It is easy for a second player to jump into the dance, say for a mom or dad to dance along. Created by High Voltage Software, published by 2K Play for Nickelodeon Kids & Family. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
To make the program, 2K Play told me that they used motion capture on professional cheerleaders, which adds a sense of realism to the models that you follow. If you miss a move, you see a glowing region around your weak spot. At the end of the routine, you are scored and you get to unlock new levels or try again. You will learn High V, Broken T, and Right Punch, as well as more advanced, combination moves including the Blad Cap and Touchdown Sway. Songs featured include both licensed cheerleading songs and popular cheer dance hits including Rihanna’s Disturbia and Gwen Stefani’s Hollaback Girl. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Created by Frontier (the same studio that made Kinectimals) Kinect Disneyland Adventures lets you move around a realistic 3D version of Disneyland. To walk, you point your hand. To walk faster you raise your hand higher — a navigation scheme that takes a while to learn. At any time, a second player can jump in (or out) making this a great context for social play. Each activity has you moving in a different way. In Frontierland, you can jump onto a mine cart in Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, pumping your arms to go faster or slower. You can fly through Neverland with Peter Pan, with your arms extended like wings or challenge Captain Hook to a sword fight. Content includes 18 rides or attractions and 35 Disney characters. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This game came from an extremely non-educational company, called Double Fine, best known for games that the ESRB says are not for children. See for example, Brütal Legend. This time, Double Fine has taken on an even harder-to-please audience — preschoolers. After you log into your Xbox account (required in order to bookmark your progress) a storybook is introduced by Elmo and friends, and you are shown how you can turn pages with a slow wave of your arm. To jump into the page to play an activity, you move both arms slowly as if doing a slow breast stroke. Each page features a different activity, including jumping through an obstacle course (jumping, ducking and leaning left or right), growing a garden by tossing seeds and squirting a hose, flying through a maze by flapping your “wings,” dancing, pulling weeds, and calling out your name, to have it recorded by the Kinect microphone. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
We tried the Kinect version of Puss in Boots: The Video Game, and quickly became exhausted — in a good way — as we kicked, waved our arms, balanced, strummed a guitar, clawed and snuck our way through the first of what looked to be about four levels (we cannot confirm this). We also did not try the two player features. The PS3 Move compatible version lets you use your controller, or choose to use the Move remote and transform the gameplay into a full-motion sword fighting experience. In the Wii version, you use the Wii Remote to slash with Puss’ sword, the Nunchuk to dodge attacks, and button combinations to deliver damage to enemies. The handheld DS/DSi version continues the movie’s storyline with a new plot that has Puss engaging in swordfights, flamenco style dance battles, dozens of mini games, and rhythm-based activities. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Featuring ten animals (five bears and five large cats), this interactive animal sim lets you explore an island with a realistic looking pet. After you choose your pet, you can give it a name using the Kinect’s voice recognition abilities (you don’t actually hear your recorded voice, but your pet runs over when you say it’s name). Other voice commands include “jump,” “roll over” and “play dead,” plus you can give the Kinect general yes and no commands, which speeds things along. The story varies with each pet. If you choose a cat, you’ll solve a mystery on the island of Lemuria; bears undertake Fiddler’s Quest on the island of Mira. On both islands, you’ll be able to unlock items and personalize the gameplay experience. These items include special toys that can be unlocked by buying one of the $12 plush toys, that include a special tag. The items can be unlocked by holding a tag up to the “scan stone” at the start of the game. Microsoft now has a deal with select Build-A-Bear Workshop stores, which also use the Microsoft Tag technology. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
This second version of Kinect Sports contains six sports: tennis, golf, American football, baseball, skiing and darts. Each game has three difficulty levels, with the starting level (rookie) designed to make sure that a child can succeed. Sharing is possible either online (an XBox Gold membership is required, sold extra) or with as many as four other players in your living room. Noteworthy features include in-game voice commands and much better motion tracking than last year. Also new is Challenge Play for Xbox Live, which lets you send a challenge to a friend for later when they log on. You can also log onto KinectShare.com and download photos and videos capture in-game and share with friends and family, and for the first time, post these directly to your Facebook wall. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This playful baseball simulation features a roster of Nickelodeon characters that take on professional players from 30 MLB teams. The Nicktoons roster includes SpongeBob SquarePants, ZIM, Dudley Puppy, Fanboy, Chum Chum, and Ren and Stimpy. Major League players include Matt Holliday (St. Louis Cardinals), Andre Ethier (Los Angeles Dodgers), Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers), Jason Heyward (Atlanta Braves), Cliff Lee (Philadelphia Phillies), and Robinson Cano (New York Yankees). Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
In this game, you play as Po (a panda) and try to become a Kung Fu master by taking on enemies that vary in ability. This requires carefully timed punches and kicks and, with the Kinect version, plenty of room for this type of activity. The Wii version uses the uDraw Tablet, letting you customize your environment and control Po using the stylus; the DS version also gives you the ability to level up and choose from an array of moves as you perform team attacks. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
In this set of 20 carnival inspired games, you will leap into the air on a Rocket to Mars, catch coins on a roller coaster, twist your body in Crash Test Dummy, avoid tornadoes by pumping your arms as fast as possible in Hot Air Balloon Race, copy a monkey with the Monkey Barker in Monkey See, Monkey Do, and more. Designed for one or two players. Note that the Kinect sensor is required. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Designed by the same team that made Brain Age for the Nintendo DS back in 2006 (Dr. Ryuta Kawashima), Namco’s Body and Brain Connection takes advantage of the Kinect’s ability to know where your body is at any given time, bringing an exciting new twist (at times literally) to the puzzles. To enter your answer, you might have to kick balls into a goal, or move your arms in order to line up bridges to direct a moving stream of traffic. Like the older Brain Age title, you are given a pre-test, and your progress is recorded as you play. If you do better, the challenge increases, but if you start getting wrong answers, the challenge decreases. Content includes twenty activities designed to cover math, logic, reflex, memory and physical-related exercises. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This Zumba exercise game lets you learn and practice nine dance styles including Reggaeton, Merengue, Salsa, Cumbia, Hip-Hop, Mambo, Rumba, Flamenco and Calypso. Content includes 30 music tracks, and routines led by Zumba creator Beto and celebrity instructors Gina Grant and Tanya Beardsley. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
The first Sonic to have hands free controls, Sonic Free Riders lets you and another player (optional) go head-to-head on 30 tracks. As you score points, you can unlock new accessories for your character. There are several modes of play, including free race; tag race; and relay race. In each, you can pick up and use items to slow down your competitors. For example, you can throw a target torpedo to take out a racer or roll a giant bowling ball to clear a path. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Five sports — for 1 to 4 players — are designed specifically for Microsoft’s Kinect controller. After you sign in, you can choose from skiing, horseback riding, hang gliding, football, soccer and boxing. As you play, commentators evaluate your progress, and your photo is taken, displayed on billboards after each challenge. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This animal simulation experience for one player takes the Nintendogs concept to the big screen, with “extremely cute” realistic-looking tiger cubs and plenty of opportunities for jumping, throwing, driving and dodging. After you watch an introduction that can’t be skipped, you get to adopt one of five pet cubs (all giant cats), who will lead you through different areas of a remote island, full of movement challenges. Content includes an obstacle course (move through a maze, balance logs, duck to crawl through a tunnel, and so on), and a copy-cat experience where you teach your cat tricks using motions or voice commands. Created by Frontier Developments Ltd. for Microsoft Game Studios. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
One of the original set of Kinect games available at launch, this a collection of six sports: soccer, table tennis, volleyball, track & field, bowling and boxing. There are both one and multiple player modes, including a Party Mode. Developed by Rare for Microsoft. See also Kinect Motion Sports from Ubisoft. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Designed for 1 to 4 racers (in split screen mode, if necessary), Kinect Joy Ride is a classic driving simulation where you “drive” by holding an invisible steering wheel in your hand. The more you drive, the more tracks and cars you unlock. Five games include Race, Stunt, Dash, Trick, and Smash. You control your car by steering with your hands, throw your hips into it to drift through the turns, and move your body while flying through the air to perform tricks. Developed by BigPark Inc. for Microsoft. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
This is the collection of 20 fast paced Kinect activities that comes bundled with the Kinect Sensor ($150). After you sign in and choose your profile, you pick an activity by waving your hand left or right. By holding your hand over an activity icon, you can start playing. Games include Rallyball (swat at balls and hit targets), River Rush (stand up rafting), Reflex Ridge (a high altitude fitness course), Space Pop (fly around the room, waving your hands to pop bubbles) and our favorite, 20,000 Leaks (move your hands and feet to stop leaks in a glass wall). Developed by Good Science Studio for Microsoft. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This one-player game for Microsoft Kinect (required)features fights inspired by illegal free fighting tournaments to compete against opponents who are trained in different fighting styles. Fight settings include rooftops and alleys and content contains 70 moves that can be mixed and matched. The more you win, the more you unlock; and progress is saved automatically. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Ten fun, typical sports games come to Kinect, but are buried behind a frustrating setup menu. The sports include boxing, skating, skiing, tennis, snow boarding, volleyball, fencing, archery and shooting. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
See yourself on the stage, as you try to keep up with a cast of experienced dancers in this dancing program. Content includes 30 tracks of music, each with a dance, from a variety of genres including Hip Hop, R&B, Pop and Techno. In order to know how to move, you have to first learn a system of markers, step ripples, poses and streams. There are four levels: Light – one or two markers per bar; step ripples and posing, and occasional streams; Standard – one or two markers per bar; step ripples and posing, with moderate normal ripples, front ripples, rock ripples and streams; Extreme – two or more markers per bar, markers in eighth will appear, and entire variation of the ripples will appear; and Stealth – hardest of all levels with extreme mode with markers off screen, just follow the model’s movements. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
After you log in, choose a song and a difficulty level, you see yourself represented on the screen by a male or female dancer. Your goal is to follow along, copy-cat style. The better you match the moves, the higher your score. Content includes 90 dance routines for both beginners and experts, plus 650 dance moves and a soundtrack of 32 songs from current pop, hip-hop and R&B artists. You can choose from one of eight characters to dance in one of ten venues including a school cafeteria or a mansion. A Dance Battle mode lets you compete against another dancer to see who wins. Other features include tracking calories burned as you dance, the ability to download additional songs and routines, and an open-ended photography mode where your picture is taken, in a variety of poses. Developed by Harmonix/MTV Games. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This snowboarding simulation for 1 or 2 players contains a good tutorial and up to seven themed courses. As you move down the hill, you can do tricks, leaning left or right to steer. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review.