X

Kinect games from E3 - photos

Will the Kinect be worth its launch price? It's hard to tell from the games shown so far.

Scott Stein
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
Scott Stein
DSC_0311_540x361.JPG
1 of 21 Dan Ackerman/Libe Goad

Kinectimals

Hereafter to also be remembered as "Skittles: the game" by those who saw the keynote, the demo consisted largely of a little girl playing with a tiger named Skittles. This is Microsoft's virtual pet game: 40 animals, 30 "unique activities," and a lush landscape that looked a little bit like Viva Pinata, but more realistic. Virtual hand motions can pet the animal and interact. This seems to make more sense as a download than as a more expensive disc-based game.
phpUvQFpge3-ms326.JPG
2 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Kinectimals

Hereafter to also be remembered as "Skittles: the game" by those who saw the keynote, the demo consisted largely of a little girl playing with a tiger named Skittles. This is Microsoft's virtual pet game: 40 animals, 30 "unique activities," and a lush landscape that looked a little bit like Viva Pinata, but more realistic. Virtual hand motions can pet the animal and interact. This seems to make more sense as a download than as a more expensive disc-based game.
DSC_0313_540x361.JPG
3 of 21 Dan Ackerman/Libe Goad

Kinectimals

Hereafter to also be remembered as "Skittles: the game" by those who saw the keynote, the demo consisted largely of a little girl playing with a tiger named Skittles. This is Microsoft's virtual pet game: 40 animals, 30 "unique activities," and a lush landscape that looked a little bit like Viva Pinata, but more realistic. Virtual hand motions can pet the animal and interact. This seems to make more sense as a download than as a more expensive disc-based game.
DSC_0316_540x361.JPG
4 of 21 Dan Ackerman/Libe Goad

Kinect Sports

A shameless mimic of Wii Sports, Microsoft's will feature soccer, bowling, track and field, ping-pong, boxing and volleyball. The 200-meter hurdle event seemed impressive, but only required running in place. How will other sports work without a controller?
msft_46_610x405.jpg
5 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Kinect Sports

A shameless mimic of Wii Sports, Microsoft's will feature soccer, bowling, track and field, ping-pong, boxing and volleyball. The 200-meter hurdle event seemed impressive, but only required running in place. How will other sports work without a controller?
msft_47_610x405.jpg
6 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Kinect Sports

A shameless mimic of Wii Sports, Microsoft's will feature soccer, bowling, track and field, ping-pong, boxing and volleyball. The 200-meter hurdle event seemed impressive, but only required running in place. How will other sports work without a controller?
msft_49_610x405.jpg
7 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Kinect Joy Ride

Last year's free racing game became this year's Kinect kart racer. Virtual car controls seem like a challenge to do well, but the rest feels like Microsoft's version of Mod Nation Racers.
msft_50_610x405.jpg
8 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Kinect Adventures!

The demo featured two players cooperatively steering a raft down arcade-like rapids, standing, leaning and jumping to collect coins. That seemed amusing, but who knows what the rest of the game consists of?
msft_51_610x405.jpg
9 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Kinect Adventures!

The demo featured two players cooperatively steering a raft down arcade-like rapids, standing, leaning and jumping to collect coins. That seemed amusing, but who knows what the rest of the game consists of?
msft_53_610x405.jpg
10 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Kinect Adventures!

The demo featured two players cooperatively steering a raft down arcade-like rapids, standing, leaning and jumping to collect coins. That seemed amusing, but who knows what the rest of the game consists of?
msft_56_610x405.jpg
11 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Your Shape

Ubisoft's slick-looking Kinect exercise program had a Minority Report feel and a flashy trailer that didn't explain how workouts would function. The body-sensing technology does seem surprisingly robust.
msft_57_610x405.jpg
12 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Your Shape

Ubisoft's slick-looking Kinect exercise program had a Minority Report feel and a flashy trailer that didn't explain how workouts would function. The body-sensing technology does seem surprisingly robust.
msft_59_610x405.jpg
13 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Your Shape

Ubisoft's slick-looking Kinect exercise program had a Minority Report feel and a flashy trailer that didn't explain how workouts would function. The body-sensing technology does seem surprisingly robust.
msft_61_610x405.jpg
14 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Your Shape

Ubisoft's slick-looking Kinect exercise program had a Minority Report feel and a flashy trailer that didn't explain how workouts would function. The body-sensing technology does seem surprisingly robust.
msft_62_610x405.jpg
15 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Your Shape

Ubisoft's slick-looking Kinect exercise program had a Minority Report feel and a flashy trailer that didn't explain how workouts would function. The body-sensing technology does seem surprisingly robust.
DSC_0330_540x361.JPG
16 of 21 Dan Ackerman/Libe Goad

Kinect launch lineup

The 15 launch games for Microsoft's Kinect, available on November 4.
DSC_0324_540x361.JPG
17 of 21 Dan Ackerman/Libe Goad

Dance Central

Harmonix announced a new dance game compatible with Rock Band music tracks and using the Kinect. Could this be the next Dance Dance Revolution? Hard to say right now, but Harmonix has a heck of a track record.
msft_63_610x405.jpg
18 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Dance Central

Harmonix announced a new dance game compatible with Rock Band music tracks and using the Kinect. Could this be the next Dance Dance Revolution? Hard to say right now, but Harmonix has a heck of a track record.
msft_70_610x405.jpg
19 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Kinect Star Wars

Lucasarts' showcase title seemed dangerously close to being a swordplay arcade game, with stormtroopers and even Darth Vader approaching you and your virtual lightsaber. This might be more of a lightsaber "shooting gallery" than a full-flown action game. Despite the pitch, it wasn't as impressive as it sounds.
msft_71_610x405.jpg
20 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Kinect Forza

Microsoft offered a glimpse at future Forza connectivity with the Kinect, showing yet another virtual steering-wheel driving game. Our concerns about accuracy in split-second situations remain unassuaged.
msft_73_610x405.jpg
21 of 21 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Kinect Forza

Microsoft offered a glimpse at future Forza connectivity with the Kinect, showing yet another virtual steering-wheel driving game. Our concerns about accuracy in split-second situations remain unassuaged.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos