Kinect: Star Wars Message Board

"Lightsaber on!" jokes aside, Kinect Star Wars should be really cool. The Star Wars universe was friggin' made for a near-magical technology like Kinect, making the lukewarm impressions from E3 and Gamescom all the more disheartening.

It appears Microsoft and Terminal Reality have come to realize the game could use some more work, too, telling OXM (and then confirmed by me) that Kinect Star Wars will no longer be released this year.

"Microsoft and LucasArts have elected to move the launch of Kinect Star Wars beyond holiday 2011 to ensure the full potential of this title is realized," said the company in a statement. "We will communicate additional timing information at a later date."

Perhaps more distressing, the R2D2-themed Xbox 360 has also been delayed.

[insert Star Wars joke about a million voices dying out or something]

I know, I know. An R2-D2 branded Xbox 360? I know, I know.

And yet, it looks pretty cool.

Microsoft unveiled the new Kinect Star Wars bundle at Comic-Con today. Not only does the console look like R2-D2...it comes loaded R2-D2 sound effects when the power goes on and the tray comes out.

• The full bundle, priced at $449.99, includes:
• Kinect Star Wars game
• Custom R2-D2-themed Xbox 360 console with custom sounds
• White Kinect Sensor
• Custom C-3PO-themed Xbox 360 wireless controller
• 320 GB Hard Drive
• Xbox 360 Wired Headset
• Kinect Adventures game
• Exclusive downloadable content

I think you're allowed to geek out on this one, folks.