The time has finally come for South African Xbox 360 players to connect to the world via Xbox LIVE while experiencing the motion sensing prowess of the Kinect.

Last night Xbox South Africa held its long anticipated Kinect and Xbox LIVE launch event, toted as the biggest event in Xbox history since the console launched locally four years ago. TechSmart was there to get the scoop on the latest offerings from the world of Microsoft.

From today onwards South African gamers looking for a full body motion sensing gaming experience can go out and purchase the Xbox 360 Kinect peripheral in stores. The Kinect ushers in the era of controller-free gaming since players use body motions to interact with and play games on their Xbox 360 console.

The Kinect camera and sensor locks onto a user standing in front of the system by way of multiple camera's that serve to integrate the player into the game world. Waving your hands to navigate through menu's ala Minority Report style, jumping and lunging to control objects and actions in the game world and learning to direct your on-screen avatar are just a small part of what the Kinect experience offers.

"For us, this is a really big deal," said Yvette van Rooyen, product manager for Xbox in South Africa. "Kinect literally transforms entertainment and introduces the Xbox 360 console to millions of new people – families, friends and people of all ages. There's nothing like it on the market."

“Kinect removes the ‘wands, gadgets, and gizmo's’ that sometimes act as a barrier, making Xbox games and entertainment more approachable, social and interactive so everyone can enjoy them. Once it meets you, Kinect recognises you. With just a wave of the hand, Kinect comes to life, bringing games, movies, TV, music, exercise, dancing and sports to your fingertips," she said.

Five titles launched with Kinect namely Kinectimals, Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports, Kinect Joyride and Dance Central. There will also be ten third party publisher titles available and the 19th of November will see the launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 as a fully Kinect enabled release.

The all-in-one new Xbox 360 4 GB console with Kinect included is priced at R3699 and if you already own an Xbox 360 Kinect will only set you back R1999 and includes the Kinect Adventures game.

We'll be enjoying local Xbox LIVE from today onwards and if you're not sure about the Kinect as of yet, look forward to our full review of the peripheral andn its games in the coming weeks.