Nyko Zoom for Kinect gets August 23 release date, priced at $30

Written by Matt Swider on July 14, 2011

Xbox 360 Kinect Zoom News: An attachment for an attachment, the Nyko Zoom attempts to make the cramped space between your couch and HDTV useable again.

The Nyko Zoom for Kinect contains a patented play space reduction lens is going to solve the problem of having a "cramped" living room - "cramped" being defined by Microsoft as having an HDTV and a couch that are less than eight feet apart. From the buzz on the Internet, that's most gamers who have had to move furniture to suit the Xbox 360's motion-controlled game peripheral.

Thankfully, the release date for the Nyko Zoom for Kinect is just a little more than a month away, August 23, and it'll sell for a reasonable $30. The add-on's proprietary lenses and simple clip-on design will allow Zoom users to play with the Microsoft Kinect games in 40% less space. The company also touts that it will require no additional power or batteries and that Zoom received five major E3 2011 nominations for best hardware of the show. If only Wii U and PS Vita weren't announced this year, it could've had a fighting chance at winning each of those awards.

Nyko said that it has taken out multiple patents to protect and ensure this first and only product of its kind. Considering its monopoly over the great idea (something Microsoft should've thought of in the first place), $30 isn't a bad price, especially if you have to use Kinect in an dorm, apartment or furniture-filled living room like most peoples' setup. In August, we'll be sure to let you know our opinion of Nyko's add-on... for Microsoft's camera add-on... for Xbox 360.