Kinect is an add-on to the Xbox 360 system currently on the market. The Xbox 360 S system, released in Summer of 2010, has a built-in port to supply power to Kinect without any additional cords or connections.
This is your guide to everything you need to know about Xbox 360 Kinect: how it works, what it costs, and what games you can play on it.
What Is Kinect?
Microsoft calls Kinect a hands-free motion control device for the Xbox 360. It allows players to control games using a combination of body movement and spoken commands without having to hold a controller in their hands. As Microsoft is fond of saying, with Kinect you are the controller.
How Does The Kinect Work?
The Kinect sensor is a horizontal bar connected to a motorized base that sits somewhere above or below the player's television set. Built into the bar is an RGB camera, a multi-array microphone, and a depth sensor. These three elements combined allow the Kinect to perform 3D motion capture and facial and voice recognition. Basically, if the player moves, the Kinect can track it, and convert those motions into data used to control Kinect-ready games and features.
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The depth sensor consists of an infrared projector and a sensor. The projector projects a continuous infrared pattern over its field of vision, which the sensor uses to interpret the scene.
Facial, voice, and motion recognition is handled by Microsoft's Kinect software.
Check out Kotaku's full Kinect review for our opinion on how well the device performs.
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Review: Kinect
Microsoft says that Kinect is the next big thing for video games, a way to control both games and…
Read more ReadWhen Does Kinect Launch?
Kinect launched on November 4, 2010 in North America. It will launch in Europe on November 10, Australia on November 18, and finally in Japan on November 20.
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How Much Does Kinect Cost?
The cost of Kinect depends on what equipment you already possess. We'll be using North American pricing for this guide. International pricing may vary.
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If you do not own an Xbox 360, then you'll want to pick up a Kinect console bundle. There are two version available: The 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle, which retails for $299.99; and the 250gb Xbox 360 Kinect bundle, which runs $399.99. Both bundles come with the Kinect sensor and a copy of the Kinect Adventures game.
If you already own an Xbox 360, then all you need to purchase is the Kinect sensor itself. It retails for $149.99, and comes packaged with Kinect Adventures.
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It bears noting that the motorized stand for the Kinect requires additional power that original model Xbox 360 consoles cannot provide, so players will need an additional power outlet hand. The newer model Xbox 360 slim consoles have a built-in port specifically to power the Kinect sensor, and therefor require no additional outlets.
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How Much Space Does Kinect Require?
Kinect needs to have the player's entire body in view at all times in order to work properly, so you'll need to have a fair amount of unobstructed space between you and the sensor. Microsoft recommends six feet of space between the player and the Kinect sensor for single-player games, and at least eight feet for two-player games. Player size is also a concern, as Kotaku's Michael Fahey, standing at six feet, six inches tall, had to stand further back than other players during trade show demonstrations.
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Read all about Kotaku's experience configuring a room for Kinect.
Configuring A Room For Kinect: A Tale of Two Homes
Kinect needs a lot of room, more room than any video game control device before it. But where…
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What Games Are Launching With Kinect?
Microsoft and third-party developers have come together to create a strong lineup of launch titles for Kinect, with seventeen titles available withing the device's launch window.
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Dance Central
Publisher: MTV Games
Genre: Dancing
Release Date: November 4
Price: $49.99
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From Harmonix, the creators of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, Dance Central is a game that uses the Kinect to track your movements as you attempt to dance along to some of the hottest dance hits around, with music from Lady Gaga, No Doubt, M.I.A., Bell Biv Devoe, and more.
Review: Dance Central
Dance Central is a dancing rhythm game from the folks who created Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Packed …
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Adrenalin Misfits
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Racing
Release Date: November 4
Price: $49.99
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Colorful characters race snowboards across seven unique fantasy worlds in Konami's Adrenalin Misfits. Collect power-ups, race against bosses, and use your body to control the board.
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The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Fitness
Release Date: November 4
Price: $49.99
Based on the hit reality game show, The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout sees players performing various exercises and activities in order to burn calories, just like the people on television do, only without the drama.
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Dance Masters
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Dancing
Release Date: November 4
Price: $49.99
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Another dancing game, this time from Konami, publisher of the Dance Dance Revolution series of games. Dance along to various Hip Hop, R&B, and Techno tracks.
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Deca Sports Freedom
Publisher: Hudson
Genre: Dancing
Release Date: November 16
Price: $39.99
Hudson brings its Deca Sports franchise to Kinect, with 10 different sports for players to compete in: snowboard cross, beach volleyball, figure skating, mogul skiing, dodge ball, paintball, archery, boxing, tennis, and kendo.
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EA Sports Active 2
Publisher: EA
Genre: Fitness
Release Date: November 16
Price: $99.99
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EA Sports brings its fitness franchise to the Kinect with EA Sports Active 2, a full-featured exercise game complete with more than 70 exercises and activities, online workout tracking, and a heart rate monitor bundled with the game.
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Fighters Uncaged
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: fighting
Release Date: November 4
Price: $49.99
Ubisoft explores the world of illegal fighting tournaments in Fighters Uncaged, allowing Kinect users to turn their body into a deadly weapon with more than 50 brutal fighting moves.
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Game Party: In Motion
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Party
Release Date: November 4
Price: $39.99
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Game Party: In Motion is a collection of 16 different mini-games for the whole family to play, from pool to skee-bowling.
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1: The Videogame
Publisher: EA
Genre: Action Adventure
Release Date: November 16
Price: $49.99
It's the video game of the first installment of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie, giving players total motion control over Harry's wand as he does whatever he does in the movie.
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Kinect Joy Ride
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Racing
Release Date: November 4
Price: $49.99
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Joy Ride is the first controller-free car racing game, allowing players to race through wild tracks with only the motion of their body between them and the road.
Review: Kinect Joy Ride
Combine racing video games with air guitar and you've got Kinect Joy Ride, a game that just…
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Kinect Adventures
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Party
Release Date: November 4
Price: Free
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Bundled with every Kinect sensor, Kinect Adventure's five mini-games are perfect for giving your new Kinect a workout.
Review: Kinect Adventures
Kinect Adventures is the game that every Kinect owner will soon be playing. That's because…
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Kinectimals
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Pet Sim
Release Date: November 4
Price: S49.99, $59.99 Limited Edition
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Befriend adorable jungle cats in one of the most kid-friendly Kinect games available at launch. Pet, groom, and play games with your adorable pet. It's the cutest thing ever.
Review: Kinectimals
Don't mistake Kinectimals for a Nintendogs clone. This is the closest the Kinect launch has to …
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Kinect Sports
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Sports
Release Date: November 4
Price: S49.99
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It's Microsoft's answer to Wii Sports, with multiple ways to play soccer, beach volleyball, bowling, table tennis, track and field, and boxing alone or with friends.
Review: Kinect Sports
The Xbox 360 finally has its motion-based sports game. Packed with six sports, ten if you include…
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MotionSports
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Sports
Release Date: November 4
Price: S49.99
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Ubisoft's MotionSports is a more realistic take on sports mini-games, featuring some eye-catching graphics and a wide variety of events to participate in.
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Sonic Free Riders
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Racing
Release Date: November 4
Price: S49.99
Sega takes its Sonic the Hedgehog hoverboard racing hands-free in Sonic Free Riders. Race against Sonic's friends and enemies across several colorful themed tracks.
Instruction Manual For Xbox 360
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Your Shape: Fitness Evolved
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Fitness
Release Date: November 4
Price: S49.99
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Your Shape: Fitness Evolved uses proprietary technology to track 1 million dots on the player's body, making it one of the most technically capable fitness games available. With workouts created by some of the biggest names in the fitness industry and the promise of downloadable workouts, it might be the only fitness game you'll ever need for Kinect.
Review: Your Shape: Fitness Evolved
At last, I have a way to exercise in front of my TV without any contraptions (or other people) near …
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Zumba Fitness: Join the Party
Publisher: Zumba Fitness
Genre: Fitness
Release Date: November 18
Price: S39.99
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Hot international dance steps and sexy Latin music make Zumba Fitness a different sort of fitness game entirely. Almost a combination of a dance game and a fitness title, with more that 30 routines and support for up to four players.
Should I Buy Kinect?
Instruction Manual For Xbox 360 Kinect
Will you love the Kinect or hate it? That all depends on you, but you can check out Stephen Totilo's 9-day Kinect diary to help you decide.
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9 Days With Kinect, My Video Diary
One man lives with a Kinect for nine days. What happens? How does his mind change? What are the…
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