Fruit Ninja Kinect 2
Family-friendly party game promotes socializing, exercise.
Fruit Ninja Kinect 2
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Fruit Ninja Kinect 2 is a downloadable motion-control game that requires a Kinect sensor bar to play. Players swing their arms to chop fruit. Bombs appear and occasionally explode, destroying all fruit currently on the screen, but there's no combat involving people or creatures. It's a physically active game that provides a good little workout; it'll leave most players puffing and with aching arms after only 30 minutes or so of continuous play. Kids can play locally with up to three friends or family members, making for a fun and positive social experience -- so long as they take care not to hit anyone around them with their karate chops.
Community Reviews
Unexpected good surprise with this game
Report this review
What’s It About?
FRUIT NINJA KINECT 2 doesn't alter the franchise's popular berry- and melon-chopping formula much, opting instead to make little additions to it. Players still use their hands to swipe at fruit as it gets tossed up on-screen, aiming to skillfully chop multiple pieces at the same time while avoiding score-reducing bombs. But a new cast of nonplayable characters shows up to provide special objectives. You may need to move your body to avoid a spotlight slowly sweeping across the screen while continuing to chop, dodge shuriken marked by slowly shrinking target icons, or, rather than chop, make throwing motions to toss darts that pin fruit to round wooden stumps. A second player can jump into the game at any time simply by waving a hand, and the more powerful Kinect sensor for Xbox One supports up to four players in party mode. This also adds a few extra challenges to the mix, such as trying to be the first player to match ninja poses shown on-screen. Players also can earn virtual currency by accomplishing "missions," with objectives such as chopping a certain number of fruits at the same time. This money can be used to buy visual upgrades, such as a bubbly water effect that accompanies your arm slashes.
Is It Any Good?
Fruit Ninja Kinect 2 doesn't deliver much in the way of meaningful innovation, opting instead to polish the franchise's fun fruit-slicing mechanics and drop in a few minor twists in the form of mini-games. Players' movements are captured more reliably and accurately than in the original thanks to the enhanced Kinect sensor for Xbox One, so there's much less chance that kids will get frustrated that the camera is missing or misinterpreting their hand movements. Plus, the new focus on multiplayer and support for up to four players makes for a more appealing social experience -- though you'll need a room big enough to ensure kids have adequate space so they don't accidentally hit each other with their ninja chops. Keep in mind, too, that this is the sort of game that can really tucker players out, especially if they play nonstop with friends rather than taking turns. Fruit Ninja Kinect 2 probably won't deliver the same bang for your buck as, say, a 100-hour RPG, but it does a fine job of getting kids moving and playing together in short bursts.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about social gaming. Do you think playing games with friends and family is more fun than playing alone? What makes it different?
Families also can discuss screen time. It's hard to play Fruit Ninja Kinect 2 for long stretches because it tends to wear you out. Would you want to play a game like this for longer if you could?
Game Details
- Platform: Xbox One
- Skills: Communication: friendship building, Collaboration: cooperation, meeting challenges together, teamwork, Health & Fitness: balanced diet, exercise, movement
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Halfbrick
- Release date: March 18, 2015
- Genre: Exergaming
- ESRB rating: E for Alcohol reference
- Last updated: August 24, 2016
Our Editors Recommend
-
Kinect Sports Rivals
Mediocre, overpriced collection of minigames for Xbox One.
-
Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved
Become a wizardly conductor in music game; some iffy lyrics.
-
Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare
Comedic, cartoonish shooter should be OK for younger teens.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate