Microsoft's Kinect system is remarkable to use, but the basic controls of the system for starting games and selecting options are more sensitive than expected. Microsoft is following a cautious approach with the system, which indicates that the technology is still being refined.

To press an on-screen button cursor is moved by pointing and hovering over an on-screen target. One needs to hover for about five seconds to activate the command.

Hovering adds a pause to the normal flow of using either a game system or a computer. While playing its Joy Ride," a cart-racing game, the player will find controls take getting used to, playing devoid of hardware to offer resistance to movement.

With Forza's "showroom" feature, a player approaches a car and zooms into details, as if a real car is to be bought. There may be Microsoft's bigger objective behind this to help automakers advertise and sell cars digitally.

A bowling game precise than expected and throwing balls requires a bit more care. If a ball is thrown upward, it breaks the lane when it lands.

Both Sony and Nintendo are releasing new versions of their hit pet games, including a 3-D version for Nintendo's upcoming 3-D DS, but Microsoft seems to be lapping them, despite its coming after them.