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Video game junky's fantasy comes true

DUBAI - It's the ultimate video game junky's fantasy - to be able to wrestle, mangle and batter your opponent with your bare hands instead of relying on a sissy joystick. And with the introduction of new technology in videogames, this will now be made possible.

'Ultimate Kickboxing Arena', a play station accessory developed by Naki International, has introduced this product for the first time in the Middle East, at the Toy Fair 2004 exhibition, which concluded on Monday.

Using radio frequency - a first in videogames - instead of relying on the age-old infrared technology - game manufacturers have been able to place their users in the line of action, quite literally .

Fadel, a 22-year old, was trying out the game at the Toy Fair and gave his two thumbs up at the innovative concept. "I just love the feeling of actually punching your opponent to a bloody pulp with my bare hands instead of only using my fingers on the joystick. It’s a great concept and I'm sure it’s going to be very popular with video game users everywhere," he gushed.

Teenagers, whose parents complain that they don't get enough exercise as they spend all their time playing video games, say now they have a genuine excuse to play such games. "Since I'm using my entire body to actually fight my opponent, I'm getting enough exercise so my parents can’t complain anymore. Its like being in a Jacky Chan movie, the only difference being that you're the star in it," said and excited Rohit, a 16 year old. Ibrahim Fakih, Manager, Naki Video game accessories in the Middle East and Europe, said that the response he received for the accessory at the Toy Fair, surpassed all his expectations.