Push the Limit swimming game announced. Stars Michael Phelps for Kinect (Xbox 360)

Michael Phelps Push the Limit Kinect Xbox 360 screenshot
Michael Phelps: Push the Limit has been announced as an all-new Swimming game starring Olympic Star Champion Michael Phelps exclusively for Xbox 360 Kinect.

The game is being published by 505 Games, and you may remember them announcing that they were working on a swimming game with Michael Phelps two years back. This is that game, although now its much further along and is a Kinect title. It will be released in June.

The game is being developed by Blitz Games, who is handling the title instead of the previous developer, 505 LA.

Michael Phelps – Push the Limit utilizes Kinect for Xbox 360’s unique capabilities to let players go beyond the pool in one of the most realistic and intense sports simulations ever created. The entirely new gameplay mechanic lets players accurately master the action of gold medal swim strokes and learn techniques that help Michael Phelps dominate his sport. With one-hundredth of a second often the difference between winning and losing, every stroke’s importance is amplified and the room for error is razor thin.

Here is the game’s official trailer.

In Career Mode, players compete in successive tournaments and travel to some of the most breathtaking locales the sport has seen. Race in progressively more challenging competitions, trekking from heated outdoor pools set against icy mountain ranges, to a Japanese dojo, to a huge, 80,000 seat outdoor arena as Phelps guides players along the way with tips and tricks of the trade. The path to glory culminates with the Annual Games tournament where players can find themselves up against the best swimmers in the world – including Michael Phelps!

Phelps will advise the developer on the game and will also appear in the game as your assistant; helping you to learn the right swimming techniques and the gestures you need to make to pull them off in the game.

“Push the Limit is a fun, innovative, and physical way to game that is complete with elements that will challenge serious gamers, swimmers and casual fans,” said Phelps. “I’m really excited to help bring a one-of-a-kind swimming video game to the market that is reflective of my competitive nature and passion for swimming. This definitely isn’t your typical video game; much like my training in the pool, Push the Limit is about improving and mastering every race element – from controlling your adrenaline on the block to perfectly timing your finish. In my world, it takes a lifetime of dedication to get one-hundredth of a second ahead and I believe Push the Limit offers players a unique journey inside swimming that will challenge themselves as much as their in-game competitors.”

Michael Phelps became a worldwide sports sensation during the 2008 Olympic Games when he won a record-breaking 8 Gold Medals, shattering all previous records and becoming the youngest person ever to win so many Gold Medals.

This actually sounds like a really good and fitting idea for the Kinect. As strange as it sounds, having to use the Kinect camera to make the correct swimming motions actually sounds like a fun idea to me. If done right I think this could be a hit.

What do you think about Michael Phelps: Push the Limit?