[Every Thursday is Retro Day at Gamer Limit, so kick back and enjoy the classics. Feel free to check out our full schedule right here!]
YOU ARE THE CONTROLLER!
Microsoft’s upcoming Project Natal isn’t the first product to offer the capability of using your entire body as the game controller. Believe it or not, Sega attempted this way back in the Genesis/Mega Drive days… with the Sega Activator.
The Activator was an octagonal ring that assembled on the floor around your body, and shot lasers straight up towards the ceiling. Break the beam, and your onscreen character would react accordingly. Punch high, and your character would punch high. Kick, and your character would kick.
Of course, it was only compatible with a handful of games, barely worked the way it claimed to, and carried an $80 price tag. It was an epic failure. Will history repeat itself when Natal hits the market, or have we come a long way, baby?
Check out this 90s-tastic “training video” to see what it was all about, and also to realize that you would never, ever buy one of these things.
That video is chock-full of hilarity. Not to mention the kickass sound effects!
Wow. I hazily remember this. I’m glad I didn’t get this… but I do own the Nintendo Power Glove.
takes up so much room you’ll have to rotate your tube tv! WHOA!!!
Heh, I like the “you may have to cut it some slack” line. It’s as if they knew it was crappy and doomed to fail from the start.
@Attilazilla
That is inexcusable
My cousin had this when we were kids, it worked like shit. It was more effective to just slide your feet near the sides of the thing instead of kicking over it. Still, I would love to add it to my collection or gaming obscurities, I should see if he still has it in his attic or something.
It’d be great to try just once. Granted I’d probably never pay more than 5 dollars for it.
What a vague memory popping out of my memory shed. Great find Nick.
I love it! Can I buy one now?
I remember this hideous contraption. I still can’t believe anyone actually bought it.
I kinda want one just out of morbid curiosity. lol