Review: Is the Xbox 360 Kinect Right for Your Family?

I didn't think it would be possible before Christmas, but I was actually able to get my hands on the new Kinect for the Xbox 360. As a longtime Xbox 360 player, I was very excited to see Microsoft's comeback to the motion gaming phenomenon that is sweeping the video game industry. Being the only gamer in the family, I was excited that my wife and son can easily join in on the fun. Here is a complete guide to help you decide whether the Xbox 360 Kinect is right for you and your family.

Sensor Set Up

The Kinect is simple to set up. If you have the original Xbox 360, you will need to plug in two cords - one to the Xbox console and one to a power outlet. If you have the new 360 S console, you will only need to plug in to the console. Once plugged in and the console is powered up, the Kinect sensor will automatically calibrate itself.

Playability

The best feature of the Xbox 360 Kinect is that everyone including young kids and non-gamers can play along without learning to handle a controller. My 3-year-old son usually watches me play, but now with the Kinect he can play along too. I was concerned that the sensor wouldn't be able to "see" him since he is only 38 inches tall, but he is able to play with no problem.

Sensor Sensitivity and Reaction Time

My first experience with motion gaming was the EyeToy for the Playstation 2. The games for the EyeToy were cheesy at best, and relied strictly on motion. If anything moved in the background, it automatically affected things in the game (yes, even my mom's cat running across my bedroom). With the Kinect, I was both skeptical and curious to see how far motion gaming had come in the last 7 years. The Kinect sensor can sense and distinguish between nearly every part of the player's body. Plus, the sensor has no problem telling each individual player (the Kinect supports up to four players) apart.

The reaction time is the time that lapses between the time you move your body and time your character in the game follows your movement. I've found the reaction lag time is about ½ a second which isn't too bad. I've only had minor issues with my avatar keeping up during really fast game play.

Sensor Range

One of the biggest complaints that I have heard about the Xbox 360 Kinect is the amount of space that is required to play. Living in an apartment, I was afraid that I would have to move heavy pieces of furniture to make room every time I played. However, I found that Kinect sensor required much less space than I originally thought. Microsoft recommends 6-8 feet of distance from the sensor.

Extra Features

I bought the Kinect with the intent to just play games. However, I was very surprised at the extra features that the Kinect offered. One of my favorites is the voice commands. Simply say "xbox" and "kinect" to turn on the voice commands. This feature works great with while watching movies. Say goodbye to the old remote. The VideoKinect feature allows players to video conference their friends and family.

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