Fruit Ninja Kinect | Review

Chances are you've played some iteration of the incredibly addictive game, Fruit Ninja.  First appearing on iOS devices, developer Halfbrick studios has taken the very "touch-sensitive" experience, and re-tooled it (naturally) for the arm-swinging antics of a Kinect user.

I've sat on my Kinect now for a few months (not literally), waiting for something worth while to come along that will get me to power it up again.  Little did I know it would come in the form of a game that arleady exists and one I already own.  I have it for my iPhone, and iPad, I also just got into the beta on Facebook, but the Kinect version, has to be the ultimate version of the game.  Controls are simple, you wave your arms around like a ninja (imagine that) slicing and dicing delicious looking fruit.  This is really the most ripe fruit you can imagine displayed in a bunch of high-def pixels!



The Kinect version has a myriad of gameplay modes to choose, from the original arcade mode (60 seconds to slice as much fruit as you can, while avoiding bombs) to multi-player options that help stretch the quick ADD gameplay with a little longevity.  Sure, playing on a touch device does take a little less effort, but you don't get to bust it out at parties.



Ultimately, it's a console version of a bite-sized app, and I have to give kudos to the developer who can create an addicting game that transcends from one platform to another.  Will it change the way you play games, or is it the best Kinect game of all time?  No, but it sure is alot of fun, and I'm a fun-loving kinda guy.

It's raining.

Mashbuttons.com gives Fruit Ninja Kinect an 8 out of 10

SEGA releases live-action trailer for Rise of Nightmares | Kinect (updated)

SEGA has released a new trailer for their upcoming Kinect-Only horror title Rise of Nightmares due out later this year.  Since it's a live-action, there's no real in-game images here, but they're really trying to sell the creep-factor.  We had a chance to check out the title on the show floor (via that nifty VIP pass above), and it's difficult to say how the end result will play out, but heck, they're taking some chances, and we like chance-taking folks!

See the video below!

Microsoft changes Natal (name) and unveils new 360 | E3 2010

A flurry of Microsoft announcements today ladies and gents, most importantly are two key hardware-related news pieces that we feel you'll want to know.  First is the Project formally known as Project Natal, has a new name.  We declare, the Microsoft Kinect! 

I know, I know, I think I'll still refer to it as Natal, sounds more mysterious.  Instead, it fits in nicely with the other recent Microsoft phones, the Kin. 

Secondly, as if you didn't already figure this out based on the image above, is Microsoft unveils a new Xbox 360 console.  Available today, the newly designed (smaller/slim) device has a decidedly "different" look to it.  I can't quite put my finger on it, the shiny-blackness makes it seem just sort of fake?  Is it just me?

Never one to judge before seeing in person, I'll withhold judgment for now.  Too bad we weren't in the audience when they announced, as everyone there will be getting one.  Stay tuned for more details on the new unit.