With the release of the new Microsoft Xbox Kinect for 360, there are now three main competitors in the world of motion controlled video game sensors. Will Microsoft’s new peripheral have what it takes to make the Xbox the #1 motion sensor system on the market or will the Nintendo Wii continue to reign supreme? Or will the Xbox Kinect fall behind the surprising new Sony PlayStation Move for PS3?
First up, let’s take a quick look at an overview of the 3 main motion sensor gaming system ad-ons:
- Kinect for Xbox 360
- Price: $150-$200 depending on current availability
- Hot Games: Dance Central, Kinectimals, EA SPORTS Active 2, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
- PlayStation Move for PS3
- Price: $100 for a bundle with a motion controller and PlayStation Eye camera, $30 for a navigation controller
- Hot Games: The Shoot, EyePet, Heavy Rain: Move Edition, Killzone 3, Little Big Planet 2
- Wii and MotionPlus
- Price: $20 for a MotionPlus add-on to a standard controller, $40 for a controller with built-in MotionPlus
- Hot Games: Wii Sports Resort, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword,Red Steel 2, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11
The obvious differences here are the prices. The MotionPlus comes in on the low end with a price tag of about $20-$40, followed by the Sony PS3 Move at around $100. The Microsoft Xbox Kinect is the most expensive at $150. Prices may vary depending on sales or bundle offers. There are advantages to every system with each one offering a unique gaming experience with a strong lineup of current and upcoming exclusive games.
While the Kinect costs more than the other products, it offers features that the others simply can not match. Early indications show that the demand for the new Xbox Kinect is still growing despite the high price tag. The hype is alive!
The biggest difference between the Kinect and the Move and Wii, is that Microsoft’s product is the first video game system to totally remove the need for any type of controller. The Sony PlayStation Move and Nintendo Wii MotionPlus both still depend on the movements of wireless controllers for the players to interact with the system. With the Microsoft Kinect, Players entire bodies are turned into controllers!
The fact that the Kinect completely removes controllers and allows players to fully interact with the system only through motion and voice commands really sets it apart from the competition. While the Wii already has a large following of fans, the innovation new Xbox Kinect sensor is sure to bring-in a whole new audience to Microsoft’s world of motion controlled video games.