A Wii-like experience for AED 585?

iGame is available in the UAE for about AED 585 at major electronics stores

Well...not quite. The iGame Family is described as the "world's first TV Games Dock" that allows you to play motion-sensitive games as well as stream music, movies, podcasts and photos on TV using either your iPod or iPhone.

 iGame from UK-based Elonox comes with 10 free games including Firecracker, Sudoku, Tennis, Bowling, Trampoline, Table Tennis, Tanks and Darts (for ages 3+). They aren't going to keep hardcore gamers addicted but, like its name says, the iGame is really one for the family.

I had a six year old and 50+ year old try out the games, which were easy to pick up with helpful (irritating after you've seen the same message more than five times!) visual aids that demonstrated how to use the full motion-controlled wireless remote. 

Adults will probably end up feeling bored in about half an hour of playing since the games aren't exactly challenging, but the company says that additional games can be downloaded through their website with more titles expected later this year.

Comparisons to the Nintendo Wii are inevitable and if you're looking for quality gaming, the iGame isn't for you. 

Hardware-wise, I like the rounded dock that's small enough to sit on your bedside table, while the remote is also impressive - light, easy to handle but with an annoying in-built vibrating feature that makes sure your hands get a free massage with every focused movement.

Despite all my talk of its gaming prowess or lack thereof, I think it's important to look at the iGame as a whole. It was never meant to be a standalone game console, and the fact that it has media centre is a whole other chunky side of it. The quality and connectivity was seamless when I reviewed the product, and really made me want to download more videos on my iPod just so that I could watch it on my large flat TV screen. I think the best way to describe the iGame would be that it extends all the goodness of the iPod/íPhone so that it can do much more.

The best bit? It has a bargain price of AED 585 at the usual electronics stores like Jumbo, Jacky's, i2, CompuMe in the UAE.  It's a great choice if you've got younger kids and don't want to splurge on that AED 1,000+ Wii console for a motion-gaming experience...and the media extras means that everyone wins in the end!