All six of the events in Kinect Sports support multiplayer both locally and online, with a mixture of competitive and cooperative play options. In addition, players can also take part in eight sport-based mini games, or join in the Party Play mode designed to accommodate a larger number of players amassed in the same room, divided into two teams.[2][5]
Players are represented in-game by their Xbox 360 avatar. Using the Kinect sensor, the player's physical gestures and body movements are tracked and translated into in-game actions without the need for a controller.[6]
At the end of each event, players are shown a video compilation of their ‘best bits’ captured by the Kinect sensor. Clips can be uploaded to the KinectShare website where they can be downloaded, deleted or shared directly with Facebook.[2]
Sports[edit]
Bowling takes place at Neon Lanes. Players are required to reach to their left or right to take up a ball before swinging their arm forwards to bowl, exaggerating the arm motion to add spin if required.[2] Single player, local multiplayer and online multiplayer game modes are available.[7] Bowling mini games include One Bowl Roll, in which the player must clear as many pin setups as possible before running out of chances, and Pin Rush, where the player is challenged to knock over as many pins as possible within a time limit.[1]
Boxing takes place at Tornado Gardens. Players are encouraged to use their left and right arms to punch and block, both at head and body height.[5] Single player, local multiplayer and online multiplayer game modes are available.[7] It is the only sport without any mini games.
Track & Field is a collection of five separate events, all of which take place at Flame Stadium. The events are Sprint, Javelin, Long Jump, Discus and Hurdles. Each event can be played individually (within the Mini Games area) or collectively as a pentathlon. Players must jog on the spot to run, jump to clear hurdles or make a long jump, and perform the relevant arm motion to throw a javelin or discus.[2] Single player, local multiplayer and online multiplayer game modes are available.[7]
Table Tennis takes place at the Blade Center. Players are required to reach to their left or right to pick up a paddle before serving, and can then incorporate topspin, backspin and smash shots.[2] Single player, local multiplayer and online multiplayer game modes are available.[7] Table Tennis mini games include Paddle Panic, in which the player must take up a paddle in each hand and return as many balls as possible within a fixed time limit, and Rally Tally, where the player is challenged to maintain a single rally for as long as possible.[1]
An in-game screenshot highlighting the soccer (football) section of the game.
Soccer takes place at Lotus Park. As an attacker, the player is required to kick the ball to pass or shoot. As a defender, the player is encouraged to move from side to side to block passes and use their full body to block shots.[2] Single player, local multiplayer and online multiplayer game modes are available.[7] Soccer mini games include Super Saver, which puts the player in goal trying to block the striker's shots, and Target Kick, in which the player must beat the goalkeeper and launch the ball at goal-based targets.[1]
Beach Volleyball takes place at Waveside. Players serve by making an upward throwing motion with one hand and then a swinging motion with the other. The ball is passed or returned using bump, set and spike motions.[6] Single player, local multiplayer and online multiplayer game modes are available.[7] Beach Volleyball mini games include Bump Bash, in which the player must avoid as many thrown objects as possible, and Body Ball, where the player is required to return the ball using a specific body part.[1]
Downloadable content
On 14 December 2010, a free downloadable Samsung-sponsored ‘Party Pack’ was made available for the game. The pack included six new mini games (one per sport: King of the Ring, Rapid Runner, Super Striker, Target Smash, Fruit Splatter and Pinvaders), and three new Party Play mascots.[8]
On 26 April 2011, a ‘Calorie Challenge’ game add-on was released. It introduced the titular mode in which players compete in a series of events against food-themed mascots. Players are tasked with burning a specific number of calories within an allotted time limit to complete each challenge.
