Platform: PlayStation 2

Genre: Interactive Exercise

Number of Players: 1

Peripherals: Eye Toy USB camera

* The following screenshots were actuall

Video games have been just one of many things that have been blamed as the source of America’s weight problem. Personally, I’d point the finger of blame at fast food and spending too much time at all you can eat buffets. How many hefty soccer moms do you see spending time on their child’s PS2 or playing through the latest Grand Theft Auto? The good thing about America being the most overweight nation on the face of the planet though is that at least we’re number one at something.

There have been video games however that have helped gamers shed some extra pounds and trim down a little bit. Konami’s popular Dance Dance Revolution series has been one of those, but Sony has been releasing some titles as well to assist in weight loss. The Eye Toy games have provided quite a workout for many, and everything from the Eye Toy Play series to the hyper AnitGrav can be just the thing to work off some of that weight without spending a fortune at the gym. Now, Sony together with Nike Motionworks has a game, of sorts, that will give you your own workout routine without the gym or paying a personal trainer.

Kinetic may not be the PlayStation 2’s first workout game, but it might very well be one of the best designed. The game allows you to set up your own workout routine or follow one devised by the game to suit you. When you being your new workout, you’ll be allowed to enter everything from your name down to your height and weight (and be honest.) Then, get ready to start sliming down. There are two trainers to chose from, either Matt or Anna, and they will give you encouragement, scold you when you are doing poorly, and boost your confidence throughout the program. You’ll even have a warm up session to get you ready, and it’s not a bad idea to undertake these as some of the routines can be very intensive, but that’s the point.

You have four different areas that you can work on. Mind, Body and Soul routines are slower paced and are working more on breathing techniques and overall concentration. Some of these will be more Tai Chi based workouts; others have you simply moving objects onscreen while focusing on your breathing. Although these can be very simple, they can be very intricate as well. Each of these games, and all others in Kinetic, will give you a final score tally and show just how well you did and in many cases, how many calories were burned. Toning Zone on the other hand is just what it sounds like, and you’re focus here is to work on just getting your muscles or upper and lower body in better shape. These exercises are quite mellow but after extensive playing can be tiring.

Combat Zone is a very physical mode and will have you using just about every part of your body. This could be viewed as being more of a martial arts type of workout and you’ll be doing everything from punching and kicking “bricks” in some modes to dodging and punching spheres in others. It’s not just about physical moves though, and accuracy is a huge part of this mode. Cardio Zone offers the same degree of workout, though it isn’t quite as physical or intense. I’d played games in Combat Zone and felt drained afterwards while Cardio left me ready for the next game.

Kinetic is a little different from the other Eye Toy titles as it does allow you to actually use the controller, something that has generally been frowned upon with the games, but don’t get too excited. This will only be for selection and you cannot use it during actual gamplay. Yes, I did in fact try. You’ll also discover that there is a version of Kinetic available with a new version of the Eye Toy packaged with it and the new, wide angle lens works wonders with the “game,” though I have yet to give it a test with other Eye Toy titles we have sitting around here.

The game does need a bit of work though, and it’s not perfect. Although it includes an option to change the setting to a dim room mode, and that’s something that’s a necessity for my review purposes, both my wife and I found there were times when the Eye Toy didn’t seem to register us touching an area of the screen, and some of the Mind, Body, and Soul workouts became frustrating because of this. This however is merely a matter of lighting, and for those that actually have a great overhead lighting system, the Eye Toy should function magnificently.

What have I learned from playing this “game?” Well, doing reviews and working as a customer service representative has put me out of shape, but maybe with Kinetic I could actually shed a few pounds. The game does offer a 12-week training program for those that have the desire to follow it without any hidden catches or anything like that. Next time you want to blame the video game industry for making the United States a fat nation, think again, toss down that donut or Big Mac, and put Kinetic into your PS2; you’ll be tired, but your body will certainly thank you later on.

-mike-