Motion-controlled gaming isn't new to the world, but it's been picking up steam ever since the Nintendo Wii and the Kinect motion controller for the Xbox 360 were released. Both of these games engines offer motion controls to play games in a different way than was possible in the past. However, that's the only thing they have in common. Let's take a look at what makes them different.
Nintendo Wii ($140)
Nintendo was the first console maker to bring motion controls to gamers with the Wii. The idea is simple: players wave an IR-equipped controller to act out movements in the game. This feature is included into every game released on the Wii.
Pros:
+ Motion control comes standard with console
+ Large selection of games
+ Plenty of exclusives
Cons:
- Confusing button layout
- Very few Mature-rated games
- No HD graphics
Kinect for Xbox 360 ($150)
Kinect is essentially an add on controller that gamers can buy for the Xbox 360. It's basically a camera that tracks you're movements to control in-game characters and/or objects. It also allows Xbox owners to control their consoles using either hand gestures (Minority Report-style) or with voice commands thanks to the embedded microphone array.
Pros:
+ Most advanced motion controller system available
+ Tons of exclusive titles available
+ Can be used for multiple forms of entertainment
Cons:
- Expensive (for an add-on)
- Limited number of games available now
- Requires 6-8 Ft of space to use properly
So, which one is better? It depends on what you're looking for and which games you want to play. The Wii is a good choice for Nintendo fans and anyone who doesn't gawk at complicated button layouts. The Kinect is great for those who want serious, mature, HD games in which they can get fully immersed.
When it comes to technology alone, the Kinect wins by a significant margin. It may be expensive as an add-on, but the motion controller is worth every penny due to the number of other functions it provides. And if you don't already have an Xbox you can get the full bundle for around $300, which isn't that much for a console these days.
It can be used as a webcam, hands-free media remote, or just for voice chat in regular video games. Plus, the voice commands help to take motion out of the picture when gamers just want to buy new games, watch a movie, or listen to music on their 360 after playing for a long period of time.
You can rent games for both the Wii and the Kinect from games frenzy, making it easy to try before you buy and get more out of your games consoles.
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