Hasta La Gadget!

We’re gonna level with you, internet at large, we jumped at the chance to be on camera for our hands-on with Dance Central for Xbox 360’s Kinect. It’s not because we think we’re good dancers — we don’t — but it was subsequently decided that a lack of shame was more fun. So let’s get on with the details. Menu navigation was a little janky at times, but selection was a simple swipe from the extreme right to left of an arm’s length. As we saw earlier, the game is a progression of dance riffs you have to emulate with the on-screen dancers. It took until the first chorus of MIA’s “Galang” to really get a feel and comfort for the pace; by that point it was easy enough to keep an eye on future moves and correct past mistakes of similar grooves. Frankly, inherent embarrassment notwithstanding, it was very entertaining. Pictures below and video after the break — and don’t you worry, we’ll be going back for seconds.

Continue reading Kinect Dance Central preview, or how we learned to stop caring and love the groove (video)

Kinect Dance Central preview, or how we learned to stop caring and love the groove (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft’s Kinect motion-tracking system for the Xbox 360 looks perfectly okay for gaming. Maybe it’s a Wii-fighter; maybe it isn’t. But beyond gaming, Kinect might be Microsoft’s chance to own the living room—and everywhere else we live. More »

Microsoft didn’t say a peep about Kinect pricing at its E3 keynote, but GameStop isn’t being shy: Kinect is now listed on the retailer’s website for $149.99. The page is dead if you try to click through from search results, so it looks like the listing may have gone up in error — we’ll see if this is the real price come November 4. We’ll let you know if we can confirm anything.

Update: And the hits keep coming: GameStop is now listing a $299 “Arcade Bundle” which obviously pairs a $149 Kinect with the now-$149 Arcade, as well as a $399 Elite bundle that seems to pair a $149 Kinect with the older Elite, which is now $249. So where’s the bundle with the hot new 250GB Stealthbox? And are these the real prices? We’ll have to wait and see.

Kinect priced at GameStop: $149, $399 for Elite bundle originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What, a launch of November 2010 wasn’t specific enough for you? Well, how about a Kinect launch of November 4? Microsoft just confirmed that’s the day, and as of now it’s looking like a worldwide launch. It will drop with 15 titles, including:

• Kinectimals – Nintendogs but with wild and impossibly cute animals
• Kinect Sports – Soccer, bowling, track and field games, a bit like Wii Sports
• Joyride – “Thrill of high speed kart racing, with the joy of controller-free gaming”
• Kinect Adventures – Jumping around and stuff
• Your Shape: Fitness Evolved – most amazing looking fitness game we’ve seen yet, from Ubisoft
• Dance Central – an actual, honest to gosh dance game without stupid pads — from Harmonix

So far Your Shape and Dance Central are looking the best, but Microsoft is still showing us more, and we’re thinking a few of you are going to like that Star Wars game from Lucasarts. Interestingly, no price was announced, meaning Microsoft seems to be waiting to see how many US dollars the competition decides to charge. Your Move, Sony.

Update: We have the full list of 15 titles after the break, courtesy of Joystiq. , which includes a new EA Sports Active.

Continue reading Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 launches on November 4

Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 launches on November 4 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The recently relaunched ESPN3 online portal is coming to Xbox 360 , as just announced during Microsoft’s pre-E3 press conference. Trey Wingo and Josh Elliott from SportsCenter are on stage demonstrating with footage from a USC / Ohio State game, and of course it has built in Kinect controller support. 3,500 live sporting events, instant replays, highlights, polls all at your fingertips or by the sound of your voice. The PiP stuff will be familiar to fans who have already indulged online, but with the new control aspects (and of course, HD streaming) it could give a reasonable alternative to the existing channels. The usual requirement of Xbox Live Gold just like Netflix, Facebook, etc. is present, but beyond having a TV provider / ISP that’s signed up for the package, there’s no additional charge.

Update: Wondering if you’ll have access? Check the list of ESPN3 affiliates to see if your ISP is playing ball.

Continue reading ESPN3 comes exclusively to Xbox 360

ESPN3 comes exclusively to Xbox 360 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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