Parents' Guide to

Kinect Sports

By Marc Saltzman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Use your whole body in these motion-controlled sports games.

Game Xbox 360 2010
Kinect Sports Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

  • Kinect Sports Game: Screenshot #1
  • Kinect Sports Game: Screenshot #2
  • Kinect Sports Game: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Oo XxX COD XxX oO
Oo XxX COD XxX oO Adult
April 8, 2011
age 7+

THE NEW ERA

The Kinect has something unique that no other game has had before... NO CONTROLLER! Kinect is very fun for all ages.... but its also new technology.... If you dont already have kinect then I would wait until they come out with a new one that has been worked on more to make it perfect because the kinect does have some faults
StepMomSterToo
StepMomSterToo Parent
January 11, 2011
age 7+
This can be a little hard for younger kids, but our seven year old plays and has fun, but she does get a little frustrated about body control. Still great fun for the whole family. Bowling is the best!
See all 2 parent reviews

What’s It About?

Using the new Kinect for Xbox 360 peripheral ($150), a high-tech accessory that lets you use your body and voice to control games -- with no need for a controller in your hands at all -- KINECT SPORTS offers a collection of six team-based and individual sports games: soccer, bowling, beach volleyball, table tennis, boxing, and track & field. Just as you would play in real life, these games have you move in front of the television to control your character -- performing such actions as as throwing a javelin, swinging a paddle, or kicking a soccer ball -- and the effect is seen onscreen. Each game has various challenges and rewards, plus there are multiple modes to choose from.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (14):

As the "first full-body, controller-free sports game," Kinect Sports is certainly impressive. You'll give an opponent a one-two punch in the boxing ring, roll a bowling ball down an alley, or run in place to sprint down a track and jump over virtual hurdles. But on the flip side, Kinect Sports is a little too forgiving: in one game of beach volleyball, for instance, raising hands worked for passing, blocking, and spiking (though with the latter, it's more effective if you jump up, too). Another issue that occurs between games is the small hand that serves as your cursor: It is too small and can be lost in front of the white background. But overall, sports fans will love this technology -- it works -- and the collection of games is very fun to tackle.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about active gaming and whether or not it can be a substitute for real-life physical activities. Did you work up a sweat while playing this game? How much exercise did you get from playing it? Does it tire you out?

Game Details

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