Platform: Xbox 360 Kinect
Cert: 7+
Genre: Racing
Kinect Joy Ride is one of the launch titles for the Kinect device and as a showcase for what Kinect is capable of it's pretty good. It's basically a racing game where players control the car by gripping an imaginary steering wheel and turning it from side to side. Players can also move the steering wheel backwards and forwards and press an imaginary horn to activate power-ups and jump around to perform stunts.
As Kinect games go this title doesn't require as much space as the other offerings, it makes good use of the Xbox 360 Avatar and the two player mode is perfect for a family friendly experience.
As games go, Kinect Joy Ride is fairly shallow. There's not too much to the title beyond the relatively short races, stunts and mini-game modes (a career mode and cars which handle differently would have been nice). I couldn't find anyone online to play against either although that might be more to due with the amount of people who've yet to buy Kinect rather than a reflection on the game itself.
Discerning gamers picking up Kinect would do far better by taking a look at Kinect Sports or Dance Central or even by waiting until January when Joy Ride is sure to be cheaper.
Buy or Rent: Rent
Gameplay: 2/5
Graphics: 3/5
Replay Value: 2/5
Overall: 2/5
Reviewed By: Bryan Collins
