EyeToy: Kinetic (Sony PlayStation 2, 2005)

I only let my sons play their PS2 if they're physically moving--they have to MOVE IT if they're going to be using their game. They're good at keeping up their heart rates on any of our fitness apparatus but I knew there's got to be a better way.

At the electronics superstore a few weeks back this box tugged at my sensibilities. Kinetic seemed a perfect blend of game and exercise. The steep $50 at the store was a no-go, but of course when I got home I lowballed a brand new in the box game on Ebay for $25 shipped.

You hook up a camera (included) to the USB port on the front of the PS2 and put a special wide-angle lens on it (included) then watch the tutorial to see how it works. The screen picks up your room and projects you and your surroundings into the game. It can't tolerate low light--use in an area you can really light up if you're using it at night.

Nike put this together--it's not a workout you'll soon forget. There are cardio games, combat games, regular muscle floorwork exercises and cool-o-cool-o "energy" exercises that borrow from tai chi, yoga and work in some meditation, too. You can even choose a personal trainer to whip you into shape in a 12-week workout program (either hottie Ana with the English accent or Buff-o-licious Matt).

My son told me it's the best game he's ever played in 80 years (= forever). The kids cooperate and have a riotous time and hey, they're getting a great workout too. I tested it to see the capabilities the following day while the big ones were at school and wound up both impressed and also physically shot. (Partially because my youngest was often helping and that meant physically swinging 35 lbs of him instead of my arms or legs--whew). The next day when everyone was at school I went in to test all areas of the game and "came out" 2.5 hours later. It's insanely compelling and fun. I thought maybe 90 minutes had passed, tops. Several days have passed and the newness has worn off but it's still the first thing they want to do after school and how does a mom say no to, "Can I just play one more game of arcburst before bed?" Gee, you want to exercise again? Hmmmmm. Okay.

Cool answer to couch potato-itis. This is one strong recommend for others who may have a game platform for the kids and perhaps a little less time to get to the gym than they might like. Game allows up to 4 players at once and stores profiles and routine combinations you create for easy retrieval.

EyeToy Kinetic is a great way to switch from just playing the game to actually joining the game! Enough has been said about the space and the lighting that I don't need to go over it again save to say if you can arrange the space and brighten things up, it's worth it.

The game has a "Jump in and have fun" mode where two or more players can challenge each other to on-the-spot games to see who can get the highest score and that's fun, especially for the kids and teens, but the real value of EyeToy Kenetic is for those who want to work improve physically with the "help" of a "physical trainer."

You start out creating a personal profile that includes age, weight, activity level and such, you pick your your personal trainer (1 male and 1 female to pick from) and from that the game starts you on a 12 week course of self improvement. Each session starts out with your trainer taking you through a stretching routine that is the same every time, but you get to pick "where" you work out (a dojo, a flat, a roof top garden, ect).

After that your trainer introduces you to all sorts of neat interactive stuff where video elements (balls, lights, puntching pads, ect) are added to you and your workout area on the TV. You'll usually do two or three work outs (At my level anyways) of either Combat (a variety of games requiring punching, kicking & dodging moving targets that may even be out to get you - make sure you don't hyper-extend since your not actually making contact with anything), Cardio (a variety of games - touch targets and keep moving to get that heart rate up) and/or Harmony(?) (2 games that I remember, but fun when they worked to develop coordination, balance and brain). The program makes the choices, but if your not happy with them you can change them. You also get to pick from 2 pieces of music or silence. What's not negotiable is your schedule, and if you miss a session your trainer trainer gently (the lady at least) holds you accountable - "Where were you last session? Never mind. You'll just have to work twice hard this time." You earn points with each game, and are "graded" at the end of each week. The game adapts to your progress getting harder/longer or shorter/easier depending on your performance. The number of sessions per week will increase also as you get in better shape.

Each session ends with optional "target" exersises (abs, legs, chest, mind [meditation], ect) that also advance as you gain strength (start them early!) and finally ends with a cool down stretch that really feels good after all you've done - and save time for a shower. That will feel good too and you'll probably need it. You WILL get a work out.

Not as good as a REAL personal trainer, but if you can't afford the time or $$$ to go to a real gym, this is definitely the next best thing - and in the comfort of your own home!

I like the Eye Toy and think it's a fun accessory for the PS2. It introduces unique gaming experiences, and a new way to play in the home. Unfortunately there weren't many titles released for the device. Fortunately Kinetic was released and help show how the PS2 could've been more than just a gaming system.


Kinetic is like an interactive workout video, and is meant to improve your overall fitness level.


Kinetic gives you the option to choose one of 2 personal trainers to get you fit. You enter your height, weight, age, and other vitals, and Kinetic puts you on an 12 week training program. You start off exercising 3 times a week, about 40 to 60 minutes a session including warm ups and cool downs. Each session you perform 2-3 types of exercises.


These exercises range from high energy cardio work outs to slow going thai chi work outs. You also have the option at the end to add exercises that target specific muscle groups.


As you progress through your training program you begin to add more activities to your work out routines, and more routines each week.
I had to stop after 7 weeks, because the frequency of the work outs was too much. Three days a week, no problem. We were going on to 5 days a week, and 4 was tough to work in my schedule.


Even after week 7 though I could feel a difference. I was sleeping better, had more energy, and just generally felt better. Luckily if the personal trainer mode doesn't work for you, you can build your own routine with the types and amount of exercises you'd like to do.


Although there's not a lot of different styles of exercises to choose from, there is a good library of the exercises themselves which helps keep things from getting repetitive. My favourites are the cardio work outs that require a lot of punching and kicking.


The trainers are very helpful and provide good instruction and tips to ensure you're doing the exercises correctly, and getting the most out of them.
The biggest downside is the music. I usually had it turned off as the selection was quite limiting.


It's not going to get you buns of steel or rock hard abs. Of course this is not what it promises. However if you follow the instructions, and keep at it, you will feel the difference.


Just make sure you're well lit, so the eye toy camera will pick you up.

I have learned that as years increase so goes the waistline and technology. Finally a toy to get me off the couch and on the road to feeling and moving better. This interactive PS2 game will put you through the moves. From fitness levels that range from sloth to tri-athlete you can customize your workout or let the personal trainer help you. Cardio, combat, meditation and a tai-chi type formats are available on different intensive settings. The camera (included) puts you in the game interacting in the different environments. The eye-toy is a great little web-cam, if you have the patience to find and install the drivers. Great fun for fit or fat, young or old. Get one, use it and encourage others.

This is a fun game if you have all the needed accessories. It might even help keep you fit if you play it a lot. You have several "zones" that you can work in that have different activities. Some are fun. Some are ok. Each is meant to focus on a different training style and revolve around fitness. All in all I found it a fun game to play on the eyetoy. Much better than some. Make sure you get the camera attachment that comes with the game or it will be hard to play.