Best Motion-Sensor Console for a Sick Parent? [Archive]

Reverant

03-16-2011, 01:50 PM

Hey guys, I'm looking for some input about which console would be the best to purchase for motion gaming for my dad. He's been dealing with bouts of cancer for 6 or 7 years now, and even though it's under control, he's had to slowly cut back on physical activities over time. I called him up the other day, and he expressed interest in purchasing an Xbox Kinect (quite out of the blue!) as a solution to being confined to the home but still wanting to get some exercise.

I honestly had no idea what to recommend for him- I've mostly ignored the latest motion gaming revolution, because, quite stupidly, I assumed the Kinect wasn't going to take off.

My dad's gaming history: He purchased an Xbox back in 2000 and played all the way through Halo. He loved the racing games that he bought, like PGR and a random Formula 1 title. He even stood in line for Halo 2's midnight launch! The console's been collecting dust for awhile now, though.

So the options are the Wii, PS3 Move, and Xbox Kinect. I think he's looking for something he can do by himself with dignity that'll entertain him and get him moving. He's also a huge tech guy, so he'll love any bells and whistles.

I'm thinking the PS3 right now, because the online stuff is free (he's on a tight budget) and the console is pretty dynamic. The problem is that I have no idea what software there is.

Any thoughts or anecdotes?

Gorvi

03-16-2011, 02:03 PM

I'd show him some software from each and let him decide which he thinks is the most entertaining. The Wii, though, is going to offer the largest, most diverse library if all he wants is motion gaming, simply because it's been around far longer.

Karak

03-16-2011, 02:06 PM

Sounds like he is a bit more hardcore. Which doesn't mean much right now for the Kinect, but hopefully the Japanese devs and the american/european ones working on games will release stuff.

The 360 will require real work. I mean a real workout. Even My fitness which has stuff like yoga and shit can get intense if you want it to.

If that sounds like too much I would say the Wii.

The PS3 doesn't seem to really be a good choice for purely workout style games compared to the others.

Gorvi

03-16-2011, 02:08 PM

The PS3 doesn't seem to really be a good choice for purely workout style games compared to the others.
It's actually been getting quite a few of the "workout" games.

Karak

03-16-2011, 02:10 PM

It's actually been getting quite a few of the "workout" games.

Ya it needs to.

Urizen

03-16-2011, 02:36 PM

If bells and whistles matter, you've got to go with the Move. The Kinect library is too sparse.

The Wii has the deepest motion-sensing library, but the system is nothing outside of an SD console...unless you think he's going to get a lot of mileage out of the Balance Board.

Gold's Gym Cardio Workout for Wii is a legit workout. Definitely the most strenuous out of any I've seen/experienced. It might be too hardcore for someone just trying to stay active.

Widgetcraft

03-16-2011, 02:41 PM

I honestly wouldn't know how to answer that, it depends on what he is capable of and how much he wants to move. I get the impression that the Kinect is more of a full-body experience. If it's strictly an exercise thing, I would think that a Wii with the balance board and Wii Fit would be best, but that's just an assumption. The PS3 seems to have the most interest in hardcore gaming, but who knows how successful that will be. The Wii does have some good rail shooters, like the RE Chronicles games.

I'd advise you to sit down with him and look at the software available for each, along with some Youtube video of them in use, and then make a decision. It's not really something one of us can answer for you, IMO.

Reverant

03-16-2011, 04:33 PM

I'd advise you to sit down with him and look at the software available for each, along with some Youtube video of them in use, and then make a decision. It's not really something one of us can answer for you, IMO.

I know, I know :) I'm just trying to get an overall opinion from any gamers that have experience with the platforms. My dad and I are separated by two time zones, so it's tricky for us to sit down together and explore the options. I really appreciate all the feedback, though!

Zecon

03-16-2011, 05:24 PM

I voted kinect.
It doesn't sound like he's a hardcore gamer, so he may not need a giant assortment of titles to look through for a workout. Mostly anything that he gets for it will keep him pretty busy.
Plus there's the giant library of non motion sensing games that will tide him over during his downtime. If he enjoyed the original Halo, then I would highly recommend Reach.

Kelegacy

03-16-2011, 05:47 PM

Kinect is a barren wasteland. Don't buy yet. The 360 is still good though.

Wii is the worst console I have ever owned by far. But for casuals...I guess. Just sold my second wii because i never played it.

I say Ps3 or 360. But both have fledgling motion game libraries. Not much to play.

Purple Santa

03-16-2011, 06:06 PM

I'd go with Kinect. The library has enough "get me moving" games to keep your dad busy. When he gets bored with them, there will be other games to take over his interest. Besides, after working out with Kinect, he can play some couch games :)

JayVe

03-17-2011, 04:00 AM

The Wii's library is deep and wide when it comes to motion gaming... with things appealing to people of all ages and tastes.

tacitus

03-17-2011, 05:51 AM

Assuming physical ability - I would choose the Kinect. Well, thats what he asked for, unless there is a compelling reason not to get a Kinect.

axion

03-17-2011, 06:23 AM

I'm surprised the Wii is in last place. Theres a ton of exercise and sports games, not to mention the balance board stuff. Apparently Just Dance 2 is a ton of fun even for non dancers. I understand that he is more "hardcore" but the point here is exercise.

Narradisall

03-17-2011, 07:50 AM

Of course the Wii is going to have the bigger library.

How many exercise games do you need though? If you need multiple exercise games they are obviously crap as a few should be enough to easily cover all the exercise you need to do for a good daily routine.

To me it sounds like he would benefit and enjoy the Kinect most.

Yeti2005

03-17-2011, 08:25 AM

Kinect is a barren wasteland. Don't buy yet. The 360 is still good though.

I have a feeling that 10 million plus sold is motivating devs to get games out for it.

If your Dad is more into hardcore games with motion control I'd go with Move. If his primary motivation is exercise then I'd go with Kinect.

Wilkz07

03-17-2011, 08:56 AM

I've got the 360, wii, and ps3 - voted PS3 Move.

Mainly because Kinect is pretty limited for games right now. I just picked up a couple of move wands (already had the camera, dont' need the nav controller because I can use a regular dualshock ps3 controller for now) and Sports Champions. I was impressed at how responsive the game and controls were. Also downloaded as many of the Move demos as I could to try them out.

Go with the Move - super easy to use, ps3 is bluray player (assuming you have to buy the console too - though I didn't read your whole post) and Sports Champions is fun. Plus alot of the games that are already out now have a quick update to make them Move Compatible (Heavy Rain), don't think Kinect has done that.

johnperkins21

03-17-2011, 10:38 AM

The Wii's library is deep and wide when it comes to motion gaming... with things appealing to people of all ages and tastes.
Not all ages and tastes. Some of us have good taste, and therefore do not find any games on the Wii enjoyable. :p

As much as it pains me to say it, because I think it's a worthless product, I'd also vote for the Kinect. Mainly because he'd then have a 360, and if he likes Halo, he can play more Halo games while the Kinect camera keeps dust off a very small area of his TV.

Hawkzombie

03-17-2011, 10:49 AM

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_le5973q98o1qdo8noo1_500.jpg

Zanzibar

03-17-2011, 11:17 AM

Kinect. The library is sparse now, but that's because it caught everybody by surprise. There are TEN MILLION of the fucking things in the wild right now, publishers are going to be falling over themselves to try and cash in on it by this Christmas.

There are four games worth owning on the Kinect right now:

Kinect Adventures (included)
Dance Central
Kinect Sports
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved

Also, these are okay:
Kinect Joyride
Kinectimals (parts of it are fun, but you feel really weird playing with a virtual pet)

If you can burn through all those titles within the next 6 months before the next wave of games arrives then he can play 'real' games ;)

Urizen

03-17-2011, 08:10 PM

Reverant

03-17-2011, 08:43 PM

Obviously, you're not he first person to make this argument, but if it held water, we'd at a point as a society where people would bring their Wiis and Balance Boards to their gym.

Wait... what?

rein

03-17-2011, 08:50 PM

For someone confined to their home. PS3. It only does everything!

Karak

03-17-2011, 09:34 PM

Wait... what?

...I also think a point was missed somewhere hahahaha.

Farsight

03-17-2011, 09:48 PM

I think Kinect is the only one that would pass muster as true exercise. The dildo systems are too easy to cheat or do the motions improperly. Considering how important even a little bit of proper exercise can be to someone in rough condition (and how unhealthy improper exercise could be), I'd suggest Kinect and one of the "real" exercise products.

If he's on a budget I'd recommend Gamefly for at least a little while to cover the non-exercise games. Lots of games at a set price.

JayVe

03-17-2011, 11:40 PM

Cheat?

What is the point of getting up and moving if you are going to cheat?

That's like saying that gym memberships are worthless cause the user can simply decide to not show up.

Urizen

03-18-2011, 01:13 PM

Wait... what?

I'm saying the installed base is no reason to think developers will flock to it. To a large extent, it didn't happen with the Wii. For all intents and purposes, it didn't happen with the Balance Board.

You know how long ago there were 10M Balance Boards out there?

My original wording was to suggest that if the Wii's and Balance Board's installed base alone were going to establish a paradigm shift and drastically change people's behaviors, they would have been such monumental successes as fitness equipment that people would have been taking their consoles with them when they went to the gym.

Yes, it's a bit of hyperbole.

...I also think a point was missed somewhere hahahaha.

If you're lucky, you'll get it -- one day.

Karak

03-18-2011, 04:05 PM

I'm saying the installed base is no reason to think developers will flock to it. To a large extent, it didn't happen with the Wii. For all intents and purposes, it didn't happen with the Balance Board.

You know how long ago there were 10M Balance Boards out there?

My original wording was to suggest that if the Wii's and Balance Board's installed base alone were going to establish a paradigm shift and drastically change people's behaviors, they would have been such monumental successes as fitness equipment that people would have been taking their consoles with them when they went to the gym.

Yes, it's a bit of hyperbole.

If you're lucky, you'll get it -- one day.

Nah luck and hyperbole don't exist together.

Farsight

03-18-2011, 09:08 PM

Cheat?

What is the point of getting up and moving if you are going to cheat?

That's like saying that gym memberships are worthless cause the user can simply decide to not show up.

Whether you mean to or not, it's very easy to "cheat" when exercising. When tired, you naturally cut corners, lose proper form, etc. When the system you're using is a plastic dildo that can't tell with any accuracy whether you're doing it right from the start, it's very easy for things to go downhill when fatigue sets in.

It's not, "Haha, I tricked you, you stupid Wii!", it's, "I am so tired... is that good enough? The game says it's good enough, so I'm finished!"

It's much harder to barter with the electric eye.

wyeast

03-19-2011, 10:22 AM

It all depends on what he likes. Yes, kinect's library is sparse, but if they're games he thinks he'd like, who cares? Yes, Wii has a wider library, and that probably increases the chances he'll find something he'll like, but the rest are just chaff. He likes Halo, and PGR, so that puts it closer that the Xbox will have a library more suited to him (in terms of non-motion couch games)

For true "get up and move" motion, I'd also say Kinect. Because what is described as "cheating" is that Wii and Move allow you to replace a full-motion move with a "flick". (and esp with the Wii, it feels like it's actually optimized for this)

However, it will be important to know if your dad's living space is optimal for Kinect. Our living room is on the smaller side, so we're not able to achieve the 10'+ distance from the TV. This has lead to a lot of mis-reads by the camera. Not such a big deal for a couple of shrieking kids, but can be an annoying dealbreaker for an adult.

And yes, it can be good to get more old guys onto Reach to help us battle back the crushing wave of cussing stabby 12 year olds. :D

Reverant

03-19-2011, 05:41 PM

I think we're going to go with the Kinect- thanks for everybody's input! I'll post back sometime with an update how it worked out.

rein

03-19-2011, 05:44 PM

I think we're going to go with the Kinect- thanks for everybody's input! I'll post back sometime with an update how it worked out.

New Kinect w/Adventures for 119.00 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Kinect-w--Kinect-Adventures-for-Xbox-360/380325526585?afepn=5335869999&campid=5335869999&PID=1225267#ht_2841wt_1189)

Dukefrukem

03-19-2011, 06:24 PM

I'd go with Kinect. The library has enough "get me moving" games to keep your dad busy.

Funny how that logic works WITH the 360 but AGAINST the PS3. Or are we specifically talking about fathers in this instance?

Narradisall

03-21-2011, 01:31 PM

Funny how that logic works WITH the 360 but AGAINST the PS3. Or are we specifically talking about fathers in this instance?

Well you have to apply the complex dildo swing theory.

If you hold anything resembling a dildo while doing a work out, it's inferior to you working out while not.

Simples.

Wilkz07

04-20-2011, 12:00 PM

For someone confined to their home. PS3. It only does everything!

get him the Socom4 Full Deployment Bundle(move bundle, sharpshooter, game) and Time Crisis Razing Storm.

Wilkz07

04-20-2011, 12:00 PM

Well you have to apply the complex dildo swing theory.

If you hold anything resembling a dildo while doing a work out, it's inferior to you working out while not.

Simples.

does that include the Shake-Weight?

Stmfuller

04-22-2011, 06:13 AM

Wii.
it's playable for everyone and has the best library for this sort of thing.

If he wants shooters, get him a copy of goldeneye.

If he likes racers, get him mario kart

If he wants to work out, get his the board thingy with a couple of exercise games.
can't go wrong here.

JayVe

04-22-2011, 06:19 AM