The idea of the virtual pet has come along way from the days of little black and white little egg shaped toys years ago. Now children (and adults) can raise their own interactive pets… Kinectimals [amazon] is the first video games that allows you to be the controller using the xbox 360 kinect system to interact with your virtual pet. There of course is a great twist which is you can purchase different stuff animals/plush toys to unlock different characters. Since this was one of the first games being developed for the system its still by far one of the best. Microsoft certainly has put a ton of work into this game and it show, from the details in the blades of grass to the interactions the animals have with the game player.
I’m not sure I love the fact that all the interactions are so standard it does make it hard for a toddler (my 2.5 year old) to interact with animals at times but I think any 3.5 year old or 4 year old should be able to control their emotions and arms for the 10 seconds to choose the different game plays. If thats the only fault of this game – then really its not a fault at all… its an advanced gaming system I’m not so sure its made for my toddler 😛 (shhh dont tell the wife I’m playing video games while she sleeps at night).
Here’s a clip of the video game I’m sure you’ve seen it before – its just great…
As you can see it does for allow for the full body tracking and is pretty awesome at the interactions with the animal on screen.
A wide-eyed Bengal tiger cub cocks its head to the side and playfully peers at you. Memories of your first trip to the zoo come rushing back. Through the magic of Kinect that furry tiger cub is in your living room and about to become your best friend.
“Kinectimals” invites children, their parents and animal lovers of all ages to build lasting friendships with some of the world’s most exotic creatures. Just like real pets, your “Kinectimals” will come running when they hear your voice, respond to commands such as “jump,” “roll over” and “play dead,” and purr with joy when you scratch them behind their ears.
Details
Get in touch with your wild side. Your journey begins when you adopt and name one of 20 playful friends, including a lion, cheetah and Bengal tiger.
Create memories that last a lifetime. From the first time she recognizes her name to when she learns to fetch, your cub will grow up as your sidekick, eager to discover the island around you. She will always be ready for a scratch and a belly rub with smiles and purrs.
The fun never ends. There are new ways to train tricks such as fetch, play activities such as jump rope, and even master agilvity courses with hops, stops and balancing acts. Invite a friend with his or her pet for some fun contests.
Discover, collect and customize. “Kinectimals” rewards those who are curious about the island they live on. Travel far and wide to discover treasures and toys, and find and unlock new environments. You can customize your pet and decorate your home, plus use the in-game store to shop for items to nurture and care for your new best friend.
Grow your “Kinectimals” family. Collectible, limited-edition plush toys will be available online and at popular retail stores. Choose your new friend, scan the code with the Kinect sensor, then watch it come to life on the screen right before your eyes. With your very own plush pal you can keep your new friend with you even when you’re away from your Xbox 360.
you do need the kinect senor for your xbox 360 to get this game up and running in your house (so dont forget that).
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. April 20th, 2011.
Leave a comment below with what big cat you’d have as your kinectimals pet and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for following @dadarocks on twitter –www.twitter.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for following @xboxforall on twitter – twitter.com/XboxforAll You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @xboxforall @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/ihieaL and you must also comment with the link to your tweet.
Example: I want to win #kinectimals for #kinect for #xbox360 thanks to @xboxforall & @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/ihieaL
You get 1 extra entry for becoming our FAN on facebook – www.facebook.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a fan.
You get 1 extra entry for becoming their FAN on facebook – www.facebook.com/xboxforall (and leave a note saying that www.dadarocks.com sent you) You must comment that you’re a fan.
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: Thanks to microsoft xbox 360 kinect team for this giveaway.
It’s time to break it down! Look think what you will of Michael his music was amazing and I dont know if there is more then 3 tracks that he’s ever created that wont have you tapping a toe in less then a minute. The Experience is from the line of games by Ubisoft – its awesome how they nailed the moves, nailed the music, and give you so much game play in just one artist.
When I first took this game out my wife and I danced for over 2 hours and even stopped for dinner in between rounds. We keep trying to beat each other scores, dance to tracks from easy, medium and hard. Even my little one could dance to some of the simple tracks.
Check out whats included on Michael Jackson The Experience track list:
Bad
Beat It
Billie Jean
Black or White
Dirty Diana
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
Earth Song
Ghosts
Heal the World
In The Closet
Leave Me Alone
Money
Remember the Time
Rock with You
Smooth Criminal
Speed Demon
Streetwalker
Sunset Driver
The Girl Is Mine
The Way You Make Me Feel
They Don’t Care About Us
Thriller
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
Who Is It
Will You Be There
Workin’ Day and Night
After checking out that list I bet there is like 6 songs – you’re already thinking about listening too or wanting to play now… This is an awesome party game because you can rock it with up to 4 players with a few different game modes Battle one-on-one (or two-on-two) in Challenge mode, form your own dance crew, or be the star with your friends as your very own back-up dancers.
I totally think Michael Jackson The Experience for Wii is worth a purchase [Amazon]. You know what the awesome part is – that we’re giving one away.
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. February 17th, 2011.
You must comment telling us which song youwould rock out too? please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)
Welcome to day 3 of 10 days of gifting – We’ve got a great gift for those that drink almost anything! I mean it this Tassimo Brewbot T20 by Bosch [Amazon] serves up coffee, tea, cappuccino, latte, crema, espresso and hot cocoa.
When I told my wife she was like yah ok great… you want to know got her to smile is that Tassimo T-Cups are the only ones that have Starbucks – thats right it was like magic to her ears. Each t-cup makes 6 oz of drink, of course you add more water but it will water down the drink. It’s perfect for those families that don’t drink the same thing or just needs one cup in the morning or a cappuccino here or there.
It takes less then 2 minutes from start to finish to create a cup of coffee.Think about that for a second less then 2 minutes it takes longer usually just to put the coffee in old machines. Really because of the design of how the water works it heats up in a quarter of the time of usual coffee makers.
Its the same form factor as most coffee machines if not just a little bit longer in depth. It’s also easier then most coffee makers with a simple button. Press the big button it reads the bar-code on the tcup and knows what to make. The ease of use of brewbot is probably the best part about it. Because all you do is insert the T-Disc, and press go. Granted that you have already filled up water in the tank.
Plus I love robots and the commercial that’s been airing is pretty cute check it out….
So remember DaDa Rocks 10 days of gifting is all about the 24 hour giveaway and this is no different! We want to get this under your tree 🙂 Although for this one we’re doing the regular full blown method of our regular giveaways… If you really want to make sure you have one here is a great SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase a Tassimo T20 Brewbot online here: http://bit.ly/Tassimo25 and save $25 and get 2 free T DISCS!
How to win it… Contest ends 10:15am EST. December 17th, 2010.
You must comment telling us what your ideal T Disc flavor (check brewbot.com if you want more information)? please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)
You get 1 extra entry for following @tassimotaster on twitter – twitter.com/tassimotaster
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @tassimotaster @dadarocks – http://bit.ly/fpUON3 and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.
Example: I want to win an #tassimo brewbot from @tassimotaster Thanks to @dadarocks – http://bit.ly/fpUON3
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan on facebook – facebook.com/dadarocks you must comment that you’re a fan (and leave a little note on the wall)
You get 1 extra entry for then suggesting to all your friends to become fans of DaDa Rocks – you must comment that you’re a fan (and leave a little note on the wall) — under the logo of DaDa Rocks is Suggest to Friends name
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan on facebook – http://on.fb.me/TassimoFB you must comment that you’re a fan (and leave a little note on their wall that DaDaRocks.com is how you became a fan)
You get 1 extra entry for subscribing to our Feedburner digest mailing (right side subscribe by email) – you must also comment that you’ve subscribed
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a friend on Google Connect (right side below the facebook box) – you must also comment that you’ve become a friend
You will have 12 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: Thanks to Tassimo for this great prize.
When you start thinking about shopping for a baby you never think yah I’ll need 3 strollers. Yes, the word is NEED… because you’ll need a really great stroller to just roll around with, you’ll want a lightweight travel stroller to move quickly with, and you’ll want a mid-line stroller that is good for local travel or because you just want to switch it up.
I have been testing driving a Chicco Liteway it comes in at only 17lbs which works great as that go to travel stroller. It folds up into next to nothing (as long as you dont leave items in the basket – my wife isnt good about that). It comes in at a great price point so you’re not breaking the bank and at the same point its not a one time use stroller like those in the $30-60 range usually are… The stroller features molded handle bars (which is important if you have to push your kid in it for a while to get them to sleep!).
The thing I didn’t think I’d get out of this was a really solid frame, usually strollers at this price is just one step up from 1 time use vacation strollers but this was clearly built to last. It’s designed to work from Birth and go to the 40 pound mark which is usually a 3/4 or 5 year old.
I really like the stroller design – I called it the ninja stroller when I first took it out because it was all black and pretty slick! I would recommend the stroller for those on the go that need a light weight stroller.
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. October 16, 2010.
You must comment telling us where you’d stroll your baby, please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)
