by Rick Castellini
March 2005

Adam and I discovered XaviX [1] while attending this year's CES in Las Vegas. In a nutshell, XaviX brings interactive gaming to your television in a whole new way. When talking about XaviXGames, interactive not only means interacting with the game, but interacting with your entire body AND a buddy or two or eight. No more couch potato syndrome with the XaviX!

XaviX connects to your television via standard RCA cables through the XaviXPORT. The XaviXPORT functions just like any other gaming console (PlayStation, XBox, etc). Powered by an AC Adapter, the XaviXPort waits for you to plug in a game cartridge. The device isn't much bigger than a VCR tape cartridge and very light weight. The XaviXPORT costs about $80

With the XaviXPORT attached to your TV, my son and I thoroughly tested the XaviX Tennis, Bowling, and Baseball modules. The game cartridges are sold separately for about $50 each, which is inline with what game console games from other systems cost.  The games simply snap into the XaviXPORT and you are ready to play by following the on-screen instructions. .

Earlier, I eluded to the 'interactivity' of the XaviX games...NO other game system matches it for interactivity. We tested the Tennis game first. After inserting the cartridge, each player uses a miniature tennis racket to actually serve and volley with their counterpart or against a computer player. Players can choose to play in a tournament bracket with up to eight people and/or computer players and choose from a variety of tennis surfaces. We found the game to be fun and challenging. However, take my word for it, don't try and hit 140mph serves every time up!

We also tested the Baseball game (which comes with a baseball and bat). Players take turns at bat and on the pitching mound where pitchers can choose from various pitches to 'throw' at their opponent. As with the Tennis game, the 'props' for the games come with wrist straps to prevent players from accidentally launching a baseball or racket at your precious television screen. The 'props' act as interactive joysticks that the XaviX uses to interpret your movements and translates it to the on-screen players. Extremely cool technology that works surprisingly well.

The last game we tested was XaviX Bowling. This game cartridge comes with a little "eye" on the top of the cartridge that sticks out to pick up your movements when 'bowling' the miniature bowling ball (again with wrist strap). Like the Tennis game, players can play each other or in a tournament format. We brought in my wife and daughter and had fun with a couple of 'bowling nights' right in our living room...and didn't even have to don the ugly shoes!

Overall, the play and interaction of the XaviX games is fantastic and quite realistic. Setup couldn't go smoother, although if you have questions, XaviX provides well written documentation. Being a first generation project, the graphics are not up to the standard of other game consoles. For me, however, it isn't about the quality of the graphics, but about the ease of use and the tremendous fun that parents can have with kids, kids can have with each other, and even adults can have with each other when playing XaviX games. You have to try it out to really understand how unique this gaming system is. Visit the XaviX [2] site for more information.

Castellini on Computers Rating (1-5 mics)
Recommended Market:	Ages 8-108
Approximate cost:	$80 for the console (XaviXPORT) and $50/game
Company and Web Site:	SSD Company Limited [3]