Xbox Gaming in South Africa

I'm going to just come right out and say it: Kinectimals is the one launch title which has peaked my interest in Kinect more than any other since it was revealed. I don't know if it's the sheer cuteness overload, or the idea of having my own pet tiger cub to play with and teach, but something about it has had me secretly and somewhat ashamedly looking forward to giving it a go. Well, it's here now, and while I can't say I'll be standing in the front of the queue to pick it up, Kinectimals isn't doing badly at all in terms of review ratings. Let's see how the gaming press has reacted to this cute and cuddly game so far...

• Eurogamer: "Where some Kinect launch titles consist of one or two decent ideas stretched painfully thin, Kinectimals has plenty of different challenges in a lovely, adorable framework. And it really is irresistibly cute." - 7/10 
• GameTrailers: "Whether your intent is to raise and nurture a virtual pet or sneak some movement into your game time, Kinectimals will keep you busy for hours." - 8.5/10
• GameSpot: "The minigames are too uneven for them to be added to your family game rotation, but more importantly, they are a backdrop to the more interesting notion of getting to know a virtual companion." - 7.5/10
• IGN: "It's a Kinect game that is probably worth picking up if you've got youngsters, but it's not the immersive family experience it should have been." - 7/10
• Joystiq: " You can judge Kinectimals all you want, but are you going to be the one who tells the little girl she can't have her own imaginary tiger?" - 4/5
• Metacritic: 76/100

If you too have been looking forward to playing with a virtual tiger in a colourful world, Kinectimals will be out along with the rest of the launch line-up next week.