Kinect Sports
About the Game
Kinect Sports is one of the launch games for Microsoft's Kinect peripheral for the Xbox 360 where movement of the players using their body and limbs, not a physical controller, is translated onscreen through their Xbox 360 Avatars. All included games are simulations of real-life sports. There are three main game modes: a main event for one or two players locally or over Xbox Live, Party Play for multiple players in a single room, and Mini-Games where the included sports are presented with a variation in the gameplay. Not all games share the same free-for-all or cooperative options.
Gameplay & Core Systems
For AI opponents players can also determine the difficulty level. Party Play consists of variations of the main sports as well, for up to six players divided over two teams. A game is chosen by turning a wheel and then each team has to appoint a player to compete. There are different serving options and players can also jump and hit to smash or block. Extending an arm left or right in the direction of the team player is done to pass, build up an attack or return a ball.
Standout Features
- Passing can also be done with two hands for more accuracy and the game registers a small touch to land the ball close over the net.
- In the first mini-game you return balls on a field filled with distractions and in the second game you can only return the ball with a specific body part, highlighted on the screen.
- By stepping around and leaning in you can give the ball more momentum.
- Effect can be applied by crossing your arm over your chest after swinging.
- You can miss five times before the game is over.
- A new rack only appear when all pins have been thrown over.
- Players can hit and block high and low and the game registers the strength of the punch.
- The pass is given by kicking in one of the available directions, while the opponent can intercept by blocking the path or tackling.
Modes & Ways to Play
In the mini-games there is a survival mode where you need to hit all pins in a single throw, with different positions for each challenge. There is a cooperative mode to play with another local player in your team taking turns whenever an action is performed. They can be shared locally or posted online to kinectshare.com - where it is possible to download the video to a PC or share them directly through Facebook. In the singleplayer mode players earns experience by competing in events.
Player support includes Same/Split-Screen, Co-Op, Free-for-all / One-on-one (VS), and 2 Players.
Presentation & Atmosphere
Display support includes HDTV 720p, HDTV 1080i, and HDTV 1080p. Audio support includes Dolby Digital.
