Last year's Happy Action Theater wasn't exactly a traditional game, but that's one reason why it succeeded with the Kinec's non-traditional controls. Less than a year after the first installment, Double Fine returns with the more understandably titled Kinect Party. We can safely assume that just about every Kinect owner grabbed it for free oover the holidays, so the question becomes: does Kinect Party provide a better co-op experience and improve on its predecessor's handful of shortcomings?

It's usually bad news when a downloadable game gets delisted. Even the worst games have their proponents (*cough* Kung Fu Strike). But today I report that Double Fine's Happy Action Theater (which I loved) has been removed from XBLA with no hard feelings or sense of remorse. You see, the recently released Kinect Party (pictured) contains all of HAT's content for exactly the same price. Since the sequel makes the original game basically defunct, I previously speculated that HAT would get delisted or dropped in price. Always bank on my predictions, people!

Happy Action Theater, Double Fine's collection of Kinect minigames and visualizers for XBLA, is probably the most beloved Kinect XBLA title besides Fruit Ninja Kinect. It really shows off what the Kinect can do and doesn't allow clumsy menus or motion controls to get in the way of the fun. As such, we've been anxiously awaiting the sequel: Kinect Party. Many gamers (particularly parents) would probably have paid 800 MS Points for the second game, but it turns out they won't have to. From December 18-31, Kinect Party will be completely free. Party time!

Many Co-Optimus readers are just like me.  They bought a Kinect for their 360, but it sits there gathering dust, making you feel guilty.  The only time it gets used in my house is when my nephews come to visit.  One of their favourite games is Happy Action Theater.  They will be giddy with excitement now that Double Fine have announced a sequel containing 17 new mini games over at GiantBomb.

Double Fine's second Kinect title, Happy Action Theater, is not a traditional game. Rather it contains 18 minigames or visualizers that play one after another while everyone in your living room jumps around and acts a fool. The lack of structure made reviewing it tough, but we still loved its support for more than two players and general insanity. The game must have sold pretty well too, as Double Fine is already at work on a sequel.

The latest Kinect Xbox Live Arcade game comes from the creative and good-natured folks at Double Fine. Up to six players can team up and goof around together in Happy Action Theater's 18 short activities. The lack of structure and goals might limit the game's appeal, though.

Almost a full month into the new year and we finally get our first retail co-op game.  Konami's NeverDead kicks things off with it's twisted sense of humor.  I mean, you get to play a dude who rips off his limbs and beats monsters with them - if that isn't funny, I don't know what is.

Xbox Live Arcade games that require Kinect can be hit or miss. For every Fruit Ninja Kinect, there is also a Leedmees. But Happy Action Theater has something going for it that inspires plenty of confidence: it comes from Tim Schaeffer's Double Fine Productions. These guys are known for their creativity, and they've already demonstrated their Kinect expertise with Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster.