Should I Get a Kinect?

Should I get a Kinect? you might wonder, after hearing about the new device that allows you to control your Xbox with body motions using infrared detection.

I was skeptical when I first heard of the Kinect. My sister wanted to buy one for her Xbox 360, and I thought that she should at least wait to see if it would have the kinds of problems that can sometimes occur with new types of technology. In addition, I'm the type of person who worries that playing too many video games isn't good for you, especially the kinds of games you play sitting on your sofa by yourself.

So it's a little hard for me to admit that I had a blast the first time I used my sister's new Kinect. In fact, it was hard to take turns in the one-player games because I was having so much fun! The control worked well, picking up on our motions almost exactly as we performed them. Two-player mode was fun, and it's easy to switch players in and out - a new person just has to step into the play area, and the Kinect recognizes him or her automatically. We never got frustrated with trying to make it work, because it worked so well right out of the box.

Things To Think About Before You Buy the Kinect

The Kinect is a great addition to the Xbox 360, but before you buy one, there are several important things to consider.

• Is my room big enough? Although a Kinect can work in a smaller room, it's recommended that you have at least eight feet between the play area and your television.
• Is my room bright enough? The Kinect doesn't work well in a dark room.
• Do I have a way to mount it? The Kinect needs to be attached to or near the top of your television to work. There are mounts you can buy, and some people make their own; it's just another thing to consider.
• Can I reconfigure my room to avoid obstacles? Sofas, tables, and even the ceiling can cause injury, because once you start getting into the games, you won't pay attention to what's around you.
• Will I use it enough? The Kinect is really fun to use, but it does take some energy, and it's more fun to play with other people. Before you spend money on a Kinect, think of the times you'll be likely to use it to make sure that it will be worth the cost.
• Do I have enough money to buy new games in addition to the controller? At the moment, the Kinect only works with specific Xbox games. Once you buy the Kinect, you'll also have to buy new games to play using it. To learn more, check out this list of the best Kinect games.

Of course, there's no point in thinking about getting a Kinect if you don't already have an Xbox. If you're still considering the console, Should I Get an Xbox? will give you some good pointers.

I've tried out the Wii remote as well, which has some motion sensing capabilities, and I really enjoyed it. The Wii also has a certain style of game play which is really fun. However, in my opinion, the motion-controlling experience isn't nearly as good as it is with the Kinect. The Kinect is so seamless that it almost makes you forget that you're playing a game.

Obviously, if you don't already have an Xbox 360, you probably won't get one just so that you can use a Kinect. But if you do have an Xbox 360, you can buy and play some really great new Xbox games.

• The Kinect encourages interactive play. Many Xbox 360 games are meant to be played cooperatively or competitively with friends, but a lot of them still revolve around solo game play. The Kinect virtually begs to be played by two people, and it's easy for friends to jump in and out as they get tired. The Kinect brings people together.
• You don't need a lot of instructions to use the Kinect. I'm fairly technologically proficient, but I've never been much good at controller-based games. There are just too many buttons for me to keep track of. At the beginning of each Kinect game, you have the option to watch instructions on how to play. Your first attempt might be a little shaky, but you quickly learn how to work with the Kinect, and you can be having fun as soon as you start.
• It's a good workout. In fact, it's so much fun that you have to be careful not to overdo it! All of us ended up being pretty sore after our first time playing.

Ready to buy a Kinect? I've compiled a list of the best deals available from reputable, big-box stores online such as Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy.

Cheapest Kinect: Where Is the Best Price?