North American Kinect launch window games rounded up

by JC Fletcher on Oct 18th 2010 10:45AM

When you get your shiny new Kinect, what games will you get with it? Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb has provided a handy guide to the full Kinect launch lineup -- including launch day games and those arriving soon after. If you wagered there would be four sports minigame collections (Kinect Sports, Deca Sports Freedom, Game Party In Motion and MotionSports), you win!

The seventeen-game lineup also includes three dancing games (Dance Central, Zumba Fitness, and DanceMasters), four exercise games (Your Shape: Fitness Evolved, The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout, EA Sports Active 2.0, and the aforementioned Zumba Fitness), and two 'boarding games (Adrenalin Misfits and Sonic Free Riders). See the full list after the break.

Major Nelson notes that the Xbox 360 launched in North America with 18 games, just one more than Kinect is launching with -- bearing out Shane Kim's comment that Microsoft would treat the Kinect launch like a new system. Or, it would, if this list didn't count the Kinect games coming out weeks after the Kinect release date as "launch games" vs. the 360's 18-game launch day. In any case, the Kinect has a lot of choices, even if they're all within a few categories.

Kinect launch lineup (titles releasing on Kinect's launch day in bold)

Kinect Adventures (bundled with hardware): November 4
Kinectimals: November 4
Game Party: In Motion: November 18
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1: November 16
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved: November 4
Dance Central: November 4
The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout: November 4
DanceMasters: November 4
EA Sports Active 2: November 16
Zumba Fitness: November 18
Kinect Sports: November 4
MotionSports: November 4
Deca Sports Freedom: Holiday 2010
Kinect Joy Ride: November 4
Adrenalin Misfits: November 4
Fighters Uncaged: November 4
Sonic Free Riders: November 4

Source: Major Nelson, Press release

Reader Comments (98)

I think I'm going to wait a little bit longer.

@Virus one
*gives you a fourth heart*

Yeah, until they're in the bargain bin at Toys R Us next Christmas.

and yet the move is hammered for stealing game ideas from the Wii

@kenkaniff They both are, aren't they?

@kenkaniff
At least their hardware is something different. PS Move looks exactly like the wiimote and nunchuck with pink pingpong balls on top. Kinect is controller-less and uses body movement. Move is the wiimotion-plus.

@Trmn8r
Something different? I remember the same gimmicky gameplay on the ps2. The eye toy had almost the same games. I didn't buy it then and I wont buy it now.

@Trmn8r But Move works, they have proved that it's crazy precise, and delivers on what they promised. It's for both hardcore and casual players.

I have yet to see Kinect deliver anything, we don't even know whether it will work while sitting down or not. So I don't care how "original" it is compared to Move, if they can't deliver what they promise and give us good games, it's not even worth having.

@Digital Viking

How's Fanboy City doing these days? I see they are still talking about the sitting down rumor over there. If you've been alive in the last 2 months or so you'd know that you CAN use Kinect while sitting down.

@Trmn8r

No, Move is like Wii Motion Plus Plus. The camera tracks 3D space. The Wii doesn't have that feature. I have the Move because it will work with more hardcore games. Waiting to see what the Kinect will do. Not in too much of a rush.

@kenkaniff

The tech behind how the camera works is vastly different though. Think of it like PSeye is 2D and Kinect is 3D, anyone who says they;re the same thing is misinformed.

Also I might add that I think the most exciting software coming out of the launch has to be using the Kinect for navigating the dashboard.

The only game im remotely intrested in is dance central, but I usually have my xbox upstairs so I wouldent have room for kinect up there anyway. I cant see myself getting it for a while.

@craigbo 180 Your Shape: Fitness Evolved

@craigbo 180 You can dance if you want to, but I'll leave Kinect behind

@SPNorth Actualy thats the game I'm most interested... and the only type of game I can think of that it's better playing without a remote on your hand.
For the rest... A big Meh...
But my question is: If i want to play a ping pong game can i hold a ping pong racket and use it like i would in real life? You know like the kid did with the skate board on the first video of kinect)??? If i can do that than Kinect is AWESOME if not.... MEH

Microsoft booked the whole freaking Cirque Du Soleil, calling it a revolution in gaming, and even said this will sell better than iPad.
And THIS is what they give us? It will be fun to watch this crash and burn...

@Digital Viking

Popcorn!!!!....POPCORN!!!!!....Getcha popcorn HERE!!!!....

@Digital Viking

its gonna be hacked and make oil tankers overturn?

Too bad none of these games would be fun for more than 5 minutes

@TheyDidItFirst Have any of you tried Kinect? I've tried both Move and Kinect. I can say that I'm not interested in the Move because I already have a Wii that I don't play and it's too expensive to get set up properly. The Kinect is fun (for more than 5 min) but is also too expensive. I don't understand all these people slamming something that they haven't tried. The lineup may look subpar to someone who hasn't played the games, but I can say that I would probably get the Kinect and at least 2 of the launch titles if it wasn't for the price.

Looks like waiting a while after launch won't be too hard.

Atleast its more then what was available for the move at launch.

@zefur

There is more content but I don't really think anyone can argue that the quality of the titles is better than what Move offered. Who cares how many games there are if they all suck? The only Move launch title worth buying is Sports Champions. I'm not sure if MS has one remotely close.

@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell 21

Yep exactly thats why I left my comment like that cos at the moment the amount of games available is the only good thing I can say about it.

Tho I do disagree I never got sports champion it didnt scream must buy but Start the party did on the other hand and its especially fun if there is a group of friends with drink involved

@zefur

Oh Sports Champions is def not a must buy. I can say that other than the gladiator fighting that it's really fun albeit shallow. My point is that the Move lineup was paltry but Sports Champions turned out good. I don't see anything on the surface approaching even that mid tier type experience.

I agree it's good MS has an actual selection at launch but I'm not sure it really matters as everything seems like half baked xbla games. I'm not sure it matters in the grand scheme of things as the games are just so Meh.

Both MS and Sony could have and should have done better with launch titles. It's embarrassing.

@zefur The Move was never meant to be a "new" console in the way the Kinect is. The Move is an option for those who want more out of their system and to appeal to more gamers. The Kinect can be seen as that, too, but treating it like a whole new console just puts more pressure on them.

@Voshempa

Kinect is an add-on though. Microsoft like to think of it as a new console but it is still only an add-on since you need the Xbox 360 to use it in the first place.

I'm considering canceling my preorder... Other than Dance Central,there's no games for me on that list...

Help, gurus of Joystiq! Buy or wait until proper games come out and/or price drops?

@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar

You just have to ask yourself one simple question...

DO YOU WANT TO DANCE?

@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar

I would personally wait.

@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar
I would wait. They haven't delivered much of what they promised, and I don't like to throw money at what "could be" cool in the future.

If it sells a lot with that line-up, they will only boast about their undeserved numbers. They need to know that people won't buy it before they prove they can deliver some good games, not just because Microsoft says it will be awesome. If Kinect sold a lot with that launch line-up, what kind of message would that give MS? "We love this shit, give us more!"

@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar

Why would you have already put in a pre-order for Kinect?

@Digital Viking

Isn't a self-fulfilling prophecy, then? Nobody takes the risk, therefore the game companies don't put their money into developing for the platform, therefore no games come out and the hardware languishes.

Also, to be fair, a few posts up you said: "It will be fun to watch this crash and burn..." So you've already establish that you're less than impartial.

I'm getting Kinect, but then again I have kids who will enjoy it. We'll play the games as a family. And it will mean I won't have to look at crappy 480p wii graphics as much.

@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar Go ahead and buy it, and pick up Dance Central, Joyride, and Sports. An aspect people seem to forget about Kinect is the ability to control your entire dash from it. Be it launching games, browsing Netflix, or even the Zune Marketplace. Why people are viewing Kinect as only a tool for gaming is beyond me.

@tensider I have never been convinced about Kinect, and what I've seen so far is really underwhelming. They haven't yet shown anything to make me they have delivered on what they promised, based on those things, I think it will flop.

And I do see that it's without sales, good games won't come. But Microsoft should have spent some money on making at least 1 interesting game that isn't a dance/fitness game for the casuals, to at least tell the gamers that it can do something else.
Instead they use their money on Cirque Du Soleil and bad advertisement, which could have been used to develop one killer app.
But I am sure your kids will love it, and I guess Kinect isn't for me, I hope you enjoy it. It's not like I want people to waste their money on stuff, so I hope Microsoft gets their shit together soon.

@JasonA
"Why would you have already put in a pre-order for Kinect?"
Because I found a cool deal - Kinect + packed in game + free Dance Central - sweer deal... but if there's no other games worth buying... I might just cancel it.

@Digital Viking

Wait, something that Molynah is involved with is overhyped?

@guttertalk - Don't get me wrong - I have no special attachment to any video game corporation. That being said, while this launch line-up is pretty damned underwhelming, Microsoft did show some potentially interesting-looking games for Kinect at TGS. Anything that has Suda51's name attached to it is at least worth a look, if nothing else.

@ColdHeat I can do it with mine as well, your point? People now'a'days have last their imagination, their sense of wander. I for one welcome my new voice command and motion input overlords.

Not the best launch line up but still probably better than the Move's paltry line up.

@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell
Most of those games should be bundled into one game.

@kenkaniff from coneticut can you accept

Agreed. No matter how you slice it that's an anemic lineup of half baked games. I have the Move and sport champions, eye pet, aragorns quest and Brunswick bowling and other than sport champions most of those games are also trash, especially lord of the rings. I just can't believe Sony and MS launched this new tech with such awful games. It befuddles me. There really isn't a single game on that Kinect lineup I'd want to buy.

Both MS and Sony should be ashamed with the launch titles ... Not the hardware but the games. Yuck.

@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell
Agreed.

@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell

Tumble, Planet Minigolf, MAG, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2011 are all really good. And I disagree about Eyepet. It's obviously not your demographic but that doesn't make it a bad game. Also, Time Crisis is coming, that should be good.

@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell

MS should have spent some of that Cirque Du Soleil to hire a developer to make a real game.

At least with the Move they have the excuse that it doesn't even look like they're trying. MS is actually pouring money into this thing and thinking it's going to work, and this is what they come up with for a launch lineup?

Lots of titles, not many choices

@The Tim

Pretty typical of any hardware launch really. This thing won't (if ever) hit its stride for another year I'm betting.

The launch games for Kinect and Move are pretty disappointing. I guess both MS and Sony just really wanted to get the hardware out there and see how it was received first? Anyways, I'm expecting Dance Central to be a huge hit this Christmas. They should be promoting the hell out of that game as it seems like it's the only game that is doing something that the Wii and Move can't. Everything else has already been done.

@Uncle Jesse
It's a bit underwhelming, but at least Move has proven what it can do. Kinect has still to prove that it can do something for the hardcore gamers, right now we are still unsure if it can even be played while sitting down, only claims.

Move has proved that it's crazy precise, and that it works well for gameplay, both casual and hardcore. And Move is to be supported in many titles in the future, so at the current time, it's way more attractive than Kinect in my opinion.

@Digital Viking

I'm just taking a guess here, but I think you might have purchased Move already and really like it. Just a hunch...

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Kinect Sports

North American Kinect launch window games rounded up

Reader Comments (98)

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 10:52AM Virus one said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 12:49PM zigie said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 9:24PM Chumbles Winchester said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 10:53AM kenkaniff said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:08AM pfranzen said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:14AM Trmn8r said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:25AM kenkaniff said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:25AM Digital Viking said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:32AM ungeheier said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 4:14PM Misfit Toy said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 8:43PM Playace said

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Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:07AM SPNorth said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:58AM Drew327 said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 4:27PM ColdFusionPT said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 10:57AM Digital Viking said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 1:18PM Bumper said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 1:44PM stoneNboneCDXX said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 10:58AM TheyDidItFirst said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 10:49PM severian00 said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 10:58AM syrik zero said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 10:58AM zefur said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:21AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:30AM zefur said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:46AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:47AM Voshempa said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 12:07PM zefur said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 10:59AM Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:08AM Uncle Jesse said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:08AM Aquaryon said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:09AM Digital Viking said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:10AM JasonA said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:17AM tensider said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:21AM Robborboy said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:31AM Digital Viking said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:40AM Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 12:45PM guttertalk said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 12:58PM MatthewBlackwell said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 7:20PM Robborboy said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:00AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:06AM kenkaniff said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:18AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:26AM kenkaniff said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 1:22PM TraceurRyuk Prepping for LBP2 said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 1:53PM Vcize said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:00AM The Tim said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 4:15PM Misfit Toy said

Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:06AM Uncle Jesse said

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Posted: Oct 18th 2010 11:16AM Uncle Jesse said

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