No, it was $390 (but Costco return policy is a huge plus) I figured it was $150 to add Kinect to my current system so right now I'm out $240. I sell the red 360 (that the wife didn't like anyway) for as close to that as possible and I get the sleeker (black) system with the 250gb drive, wireless, etc. for the difference.

Sounds like I'd be paying full price for AC:B, turning $40 cash into $40 credit, and then having a new coaster. I bet I could top that deal.

Don't you think you're being just a smidge hard on NFS HP?
BTW : What Kinect games do you currently have? I was hoping to use that $40 credit on a couple of Kinect games, but it seems the two I wanted to pick up for the kids (er, the two Santa has asked me to pick up, that is) Dance Central and Kinectimals were both out. Or I think they were, there was some Dance game, but I don't think it was the right one. Is there another Kinect dance game?

I think there is another Dance game (by Konami?). I only have Adventures, Kinectimals, and Dance Central. That's all that remotely interested me at launch. Harry Potter too, but the reviews have dashed that.

check out Kinect Sports, that would round out your collection well. awesome game

I've already picked up Kinect Sports, Kinectimals, Dance Central and Your Fitness (or whatever it's called). I'd really love if they introduced a golf game that could detect the nuances of your swing or a martial arts game that was more finely tuned than boxing.

I picked up Your Shape Fitness Evolved last night. That game is a real work out.

Is Kinect Sports that good? I already have Wii Sports and the Move one, I didn't want to pick up yet another sports variety game...

I have never played the "Move" sports game, but Kinect Sports trumps Wii Sports.

I may just be reading things incorrectly, so help me out.

We've got a projector, and it seems like the Kinect will work fine with it.

However, my Xbox is in the back of the room, and the camera would be at the front of the room, so I'd have to use some sort of extension cord. I have some regular usb extension cords I used to use with Rock Band...will those work with Kinect? If not, what do I need? Thanks.

Yeah, an USB extension should work.

I picked up a Kinect and Dance Central today at Best Buy. With their "Holiday Return Policy" in effect, I can return it for a full refund in January if I'm bored of it. I'm hoping it's not Wii 2.0 for me.

OK, thanks. I kept reading something about powered or active USB and MS proprietary cords...just making sure.

As long as you bought Kinect by itself (the $150 package)...the one that comes in the 360 bundle doesn't come with the power chord/usb adapter. The Kinect cable itself is proprietory USB.

Am I reading that right? The one that comes in the expensive bundle has no cord included? They expect you to buy a separate cord???

If that is true, that is completely retarded. I have no other way of putting it.

The new Xbox has a special USB port on it that supplies more power for the Kinect. If using the Kinect on an old Xbox you also need to plug into a wall outlet. The cord to plug into the wall isn't included in the bundles.

Okay. That makes more sense. Thanks for the explanation.

To clarify a little better...the cord on the Kinect camera has a proprietary USB end that will not plug into a standard USB port. The power cord has a standard USB port on it. You can also buy a Kinect Extender Cable for $50 (2nd pic)

^^ Of course it's $50... and why shouldn't it be? I mean look at the D&R time that went into that proprietary POS!! I can't stand when we get screwed with "proprietary" things like this.

EA Active Sports 2 requires a good amount of room to work properly, and the overall thing feels a little half baked so far. Still a killer workout, but it seems like the entire thing was rushed to market.

The left hand out to get to the menu thing has never been a problem in other games for me, but on here it's triggering non-stop during dodgeball and soccer since, oh yeah, that's where your hands go when resting. The menu controls with the hand mouse are the worst I've seen so far as well.

Maybe it's just my room setup, ugh. Will re-organize things later and see if it works better. Only bad experience with the Kinect so far, shame it had to be for something I was looking forward to.

Do they have some new Holiday return policy where they take back open items (including games)? I've never heard of this before.

So for the Kinect cords... does the standalone come with both cords, or do you have to use the USB and plug even on new Xboxes? I didn't notice a second cord when I opened mine, and I'm wondering if I'm stuck using the plug if I upgrade to a slimmer xbox later.

The cord separates in the middle to detach the USB and power dongles.

Yeah, that's what I'm using with my old xbox. But if I get a new xbox, will I still need to plug the Kinect into the wall?

No, it detaches and what is left over is what plugs into the new xbox.

This is why the new xbox kinect bundle doesn't need that detachable dongle set.

I asked at two separate locations if I could buy it and if my wife doesn't like it, or it doesn't work in my space, I can bring it back for a full refund, and they said yes. I have until 1/31 to make the return. I won't be able to return Dance Central, but I can get my $150 back for the Kinect after playing it for 2 months if I'm tired of it. Seemed like a no-brainer for me to at least try it at that price.