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.
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.
After you plug in one or two mats into your Wii (for one or two players, or one player with two mats), you can choose from 80 music tracks that include classics and original music created specifically for the game by Vanilla Ice and Maxi Priest. There are three modes of play:School Mode, for new dancers, offers an option for training. More skilled players can choose the Challenge difficulty level, which also features a new Doubleplay functionality that allows a single player to play on two DanceDanceRevolution mat controllers simultaneously. The Workout Mode lets you enter your weight and track your fitness progress and estimated calories burned. The game features all new dance characters and is compatible with your Mii so dancers can capture a likeness of themselves or the dance partners. Prices are $50 bundled with the Dance mat and $30 for the standalone game. 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.
This collection of resort games takes place on a trip to Kawawii island, a virtual family resort. The game features co-operative and competitive events, and you can play with up to four players. Activities include sky diving, surfing, white water rafting, beach volleyball, tennis, miniature golf, snowball fights and shooting water guns. It is also possible to explore the island on horseback, through scuba diving, or riding snowmobiles. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
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.
This Wii-only, follow-along dancing program is based on the movie, The Smurfs. Content includes 20 dances, each with different sets of moves illustrated by a small squad of strange looking Smurfs. Using a Wii Remote in each hand, you can dance alongside your favorite characters and heroes from the film, including Smurfette, Pap Smurf, Clumsy, Brainy, Gutsy and Gargamel. Songs include both popular tunes such as One of the Boys and Higher and original songs from the The Smurfs incluidng Smurfberry-licious and Gargamel. 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.
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.
Exercise games are plentiful these days, especially with the launch of the Sony Move and Microsoft’s Kinect. So what’s special about Nickelodeon Fit for the Wii? It’s the first exercise program for an adult and a child to do together. If you’re looking for realism and accuracy, this isn’t your best option. For example, you can easily cheat in nearly every exercise, simply by waving the Wii Remote. At one point, we stopped moving, and it took the program 10 seconds before it realized. However, this program does facilitate your exercise by providing a timed block of activity, and a fun way to move. And, you certainly can’t get a more non-threatening coach than Dora. Content includes thirty exercises, featuring five characters. Each has a specialty. You can bike with Dora, river raft with Diego, run with Kai-Lan, and jump rope with the Backyardigans. 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 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 $70 DDR bundle includes two vinyl dance mats that plug into your Wii. The mats work with two sets of Wii controllers 
(Nunchuks are required) so you can move your feet and arms at the same time. As you dance, you are represented by your “Mii” on the screen, while moving Disney characters decorate the screen. Content includes 40 songs that vary in quality, such as, “It’s a Small World”, “Circle of Life”, and “A Spoonful of Sugar”. A handicapping feature lets each dancer choose from four levels; plus there’s a cooperative mode so even a preschooler can help out. Developed by Bemani for Konami.Please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Building on the addicting nature of tossing pebbles at piles of blocks, this second edition of Boom Blox has twice as much content as last year’s game with some noteworthy features, such as the ability to play in zero gravity and underwater. It is also easier to create, upload, download, and rate puzzles than the first version — giving the game a social dimension.
After you log into one of the six game-save slots, you choose a mode of play — depending upon if you are alone or playing with another player.
There are four ways to move blocks — by throwing, grabbing, firing a cannon, or shooting a sling. There are nine types of blocks with different functions. For example, the gem blocks score points, while the virus blocks explode and infect surrounding blocks. Hundreds of puzzles are arranged into four themes (showtime, pirate, heroic and space). Additional levels can be downloaded, or created and shared with others. The expanded Create Mode provides better tools. Created by EA Casual Studios. Please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.