E3 Xbox 360 Round-up: Kinect (formerly Natal), smaller Xbox 360 with WiFi, MGS Rising, Halo: Reach space combat, ESPN and more

Microsoft announced the official name for its motion-sensing peripheral codenamed Project Natal, which will hereafter be known as Kinect, as well as a new version of its Xbox 360. Here are key details from the Microsoft press conference at E3:

• Kinect for Xbox 360 is launches Nov. 4 with 15 titles available (no pricing revealed). You can wave at the camera for visual recognition to log you in. There's a new simplified Wii-esque dashboard, and you can use your voice to control. Also video chat with shared media watching (movies, music, news, etc). Titles include: Dance Central (dance game from Harmonix), Forza Motorsport (Kinect features in 2011), Kinect Adventures (3D theme park-style platformer party game), Kinectimals (play with a baby tiger and other adorable creatures), Kinect Joy Ride (kart racing), Kinect Sports (soccer, bowling, hurdles, javelin, ping pong, boxing, beach volleyball), Star Wars (light saber battles) and Your Shape: Fitness Evolved (structured exercise, combat training and tai chi)
• A smaller version of Xbox 360 with built-in WiFi and 250GB hard drive for same price ($300) ships today, hits retail later this week
• Xbox Live for Windows Phone 7 will give you some level of friends list interaction via mobile phone (no details)
• ESPN via Xbox Live to feature exclusive content in high def, free with paid Gold membership
• Halo: Reach adds space flight combat
• Metal Gear Solid Rising features some excellent katana slicing action and the tagline "What will you cut? The blade is in your hands."
• Gears of War 3 includes four-player story co-op and a new Beast mode
• Call of Duty: Black Ops due on Nov. 9 features first-person helicopter combat, and add-on packs for the game will launch first on Xbox 360 through at least 2012
• Fable 3 launches Oct. 26
• Codename: Kingdoms from Crytek (no details, just a teaser)