While removing Kinect from the Xbox One helped Microsoft to price the console at $399, it did put several Kinect developers in a tight spot. According to Paul Mottram of Zoë Mode, which created Zumba Fitness for the Kinect, it significantly hurts the chances of original Kinect titles.

“From a developer point of view it’s a shame, as it all but kills the chances of making an original Kinect title unless it is a major licensed Fitness or Dance product – and even those will suffer as it’s unlikely we’ll see Kinect 2 units even come close to the installed base of the original now. Even then it was a challenge.

“I just feel sorry for those developers who had Kinect titles in development who’ve had the rug pulled from beneath them and may now stand little chance of seeing a return on their investment.”

Mottram is however confident of indie studios making “killer use for Kinect that will change the minds of the doubters”. “Smaller developers may try something new with the peripheral that mainstream publishers would were not willing to gamble on.”

Microsoft is still significantly dedicated to Kinect though – it also plans to release it as a standalone peripheral this Autumn. Kinect-less Xbox One units will be available from June 9th onwards.

(Source)

SEGA have released the launch trailer for their 3DS puzzle platformer, CRUSH3D. It looks fun, but, well, every colourful game does. Have a look at the video above.

Oh, and “Help Danny find his marbles”? Seriously, Sega?

Here is latest Behind the Scenes video for Zumba Fitness 2 for the Wii.  Zumba Fitness 2 is really not just a dance game like we are commonly seeing, it is that and more.  Maybe a good way to describe it is a kind of lifestyle.  The game teaches you how to do different moves and styles in this exotic motion controlled dance game.  It will include even more than the first game which you can catch a glimpse of in the video above.  Zumba Fitness 2 will be out November 16th exclusively for the Nintendo Wii for only $39.99. Full press release below.

Edison, N.J., November 2, 2011 – Put your flare on dozens of colorful dance styles from around the globe with Zumba® Fitness 2!  Majesco Entertainment just revealed all 24 dance styles you’ll experience when you dive into the soon-to-release Zumba® Fitness 2 video game, the sequel to the best-selling fitness video game of the year!

Zumba® Fitness 2 Dance Styles:

Zumba® Fitness 2 gets players moving with Zumba creator Beto and international celebrity instructors Tanya Beardsley and Gina Grant as they guide players through exhilarating choreography that spans 32 sizzling new tracks and 24 different international dance styles. Whether playing in Single Song, Full Class or Zumba Party mode that supports up to four dancers, players will have a blast with this unique dance fitness experience that shapes, tones and transforms their bodies and makes them forget they’re even exercising.

Get a sneak peak at what publisher Majesco Entertainment is all about when it comes to the new Zumba Fitness 2 game. The game is being developed by Zoe Mode and will be exclusively available on the Nintendo Wii on November 15th. The video takes you behind the scenes of the making of the game. Full press release below.  Official Site.

Edison, N.J., September 29, 2011 – Majesco Entertainment takes you behind the scenes and gives you an all-access look at the making of the soon-to-release Zumba® Fitness 2 video game.  Download the exclusive sneak peek video now and see exactly what it takes to transform the exhilarating Zumba® choreography into gameplay while capturing the movements, personality and flare of the celebrity Zumba® instructors who star in the game.

The original Zumba® Fitness game is the best-selling fitness game in North America this year and has sold 3 million copies worldwide. The sequel, Zumba Fitness 2, features 32 new sizzling dance tracks from the Zumba® program, plus hits from Pitbull, Nicole Scherzinger and Yolanda Be Cool & DCup. The latest title gets players moving with Zumba creator Beto and international celebrity instructors Tanya Beardsley and Gina Grant as they guide players through exhilarating choreography that spans 20 different international dance styles. For the first time, players can customize their own class with their favorite routines, follow their improvement through an all new progress tracker and track calories burned. Whether playing in Single Song, Full Class or Zumba Party modes that support up to 4 dancers, players will have a blast with this unique dance fitness experience that shapes, tones and transforms their bodies and makes them forget they’re even exercising.

Zumba Fitness 2 for Wii™ will be available on store shelves November 15^th, but you don’t have to wait to reserve your copy!  Starting today, players who pre-order Zumba Fitness 2 at GameStop will receive a code that unlocks an exclusive routine in the game.  To pre-order your copy of Zumba Fitness 2 visit www.gamestop.com/wii/games/zumba-fitness-2/91081.

For more information about Zumba Fitness 2 please visit www.majescoentertainment.com.

Grease is being developed by Zoe Mode and is expected to release this Autumn on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

“Another” dancing game has been announced. This time its coming from 505 Games and it will be called as Grease. It will be released this Autumn on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, utilizing Move and Kinect respectively.

From the press release, Grease promises to have

Grease key features include:

• The game features 15 song compositions from the original film and 5 bonus classic rock ‘n roll tracks

• Hours of fun with Rock ‘n’ Roll Routines from the movie, including duet choreography and freestyle sections where players can express their individuality and dance for increased points

• Game includes Dance Mode and Karaoke Mode, both of which have versus and co-operative play

• Up to eight-players can compete in Party Mode

The game is being developed by Zoe Mode.