Known as the decidedly superior moniker Adrenalin Misfits in America, Crossboard 7 is a crossboarding game (a kind of all terrain snowboard), which will be launching day and date alongside Microsoft's new motion-sensing Kinect camera. As is the way with all games that use Kinect, Crossboard 7 works by tracking your entire body, and using your movements in real life to control what's happening on the screen - which means you don't have to worry about any crazy board peripherals (*cough* Tony Hawks Ride *cough*), or wiggling your analogue sticks.
Sesame Street's Oscar makes his crossboarding début, looking as grouchy as ever. Maybe it's because he's lost his bin.
Instead, by simply standing in front of your Kinect camera as if you were standing on a real life crossboard, and leaning forwards and backwards, you'll steer your character left and right. And that's all there is to it. Simple, intuitive, and quick to pick up, Crossboard 7 is aiming to be a game anyone can enjoy - although we are a tad worried about how practical it'll be trying to lean backwards to turn left...
Choosing to play as either your avatar, or one of a choice of 'monsters' (not the scary sort), you compete against the other rival creatures across a wide range of terrains - from the snowy mountains to stormy deserts - leaning and steering your board through the course to win. If you're feeling adventurous, or just want to show off, you can do all sorts of tricks by utilising various body movements, like jumping - and if you want a boost, all you've got to do is shout and make some noise. Which, while it may be fun for children, may result in you getting a few angry visits from the neighbours.
There's a fair few modes on offer too, with challenges for one person and contests for two players. The 'Free Mode' simply lets you take a course at your own pace, whereas the 'Downhill Slalom' has you trying your best to pass through gates - and both can be played against either an opponent, or in single player, in a 'beat the time' competition. Or, if you really feel like showing off, you can jump into the 'Trick Score' mode, which sets you the challenge of performing as many jumps and rail tricks as you can to get the highest score.
There's a whole host of other modes too - including Fly Distance (which we guess works like a long jump), Balloon Buster, Stadium mini-games, Big Air (which probably works like a high jump), Terrain Park, Half pipe and more, as well as over 60 unlockable crossboards, each of which has their own strengths and weaknesses.
Crossboard 7 carries an RRP of £40, and is out on the 10th November this year, along with the Kinect camera. Check back till then, as we'll be having an article on each Kinect launch title every day until launch, as part of our 'Countdown to Kinect' - we'll also be running a Kinect FAQ to answer any questions you might have. For now, here's a trailer for Crossboard 7, which gives you a good impression of the sort of thing you can expect - they even managed to match the seemingly malnourished kid's lips to his cardigan:
