During GDC, we had the opportunity to check out the latest version of Kinect Star Wars.

During our 30-min long preview, we first got a brief look into the game’s campaign, which is dubbed Jedi Destiny: Darkside Rising. The story can be played with up to two players and gives the player free-range movements with their hands. We saw how to quickly take out enemies while also being shown how players will have to get creative against more sophisticated enemies, by kicking, swinging and disarming them. The story has the Jedis engaged in a battle against the Trade Federation that involves combat, land speeders and more.

The preview then quickly shifted over to the game’s Podracing mode. As one would expect, we took the reigns of a podracer and proceeded to enter a race. To maneuver the podracer, we moved stretched our arms out to drive. Moving each arm forward or backward, made the podracer go left or right while pulling both arms back then pushing forward caused us to use a limited turbo boost, which certainly sped up the action. After about 30 seconds or so, we were able to get the hang of the controls and soon found ourselves bumping other racers off the track and pulling off some cool moves, such as uber tight turns and jumping off ramps. The mode features 8 tracks across 4 different planets, each with their own theme.

One of the other modes showed off was Rancor Rampage. As the title would suggest, the mode does feel a lot like the old arcade game Rampage. You take hold of one of 4 Rancors, each with their own capabilities. You’re then dropped onto a village, where you’ll destroy and ravage, building up points and trying to stay alive. Movements were 1:1 though there was a slight delay, but bashing buildings, throwing people 100 yards and stomping on enemies appeared quite entertaining. There’s also a rage meter that slowly builds up that then allows your Rancor to do massive amounts of damage. You obviously use both arms to swing, but you can make a walking motion, like a gorilla, to move, while positioning your shoulders either left or right, turns the Rancor.

Finally we were given a tease of Dance Mode. Unfortunately no gameplay footage or demonstration of the mode was given, but we were promised a pretty lengthy mode that Lucas Arts says could stand on its own as a title. Players will take part in a galactic dance-off and be able to use various characters while performing in a handful of areas such as Jabba’s Palace.

Kinect Star Wars is set to be released on April 4, alongside the special edition Star Wars-themed Xbox 360 that will retail for $449 as a bundle (the game can also be purchased separately).

Check out this video interview below with producer Glenn Gregory.