Video Game Console Accessories

Choosing the best video game console accessories for your game system can be just as important to your gaming experience as choosing the right games. Video game console accessories can make your game play more enjoyable, as well as improve the performance of your gaming system. Video game console accessories can be as simple as adding an additional controller or as complex as adding new features and functionality to your living room or handheld console. Accessories are available from the original manufacturer of your console as well as third-party vendors who often offer more variety of accessories at a better price.

Video game console accessories have become a big business. Starting with controllers, most consoles support up to four controllers, but come with only one. So if you want to play games with a group of friends or get the whole family involved, you're already in the market for three new accessories. Already here comes a decision between an aray of controller options. You have wired and wireless and usually several of each to choose from. The first of the 2 may be easier since most of todays consoles are geared towards the wireless controller.The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii all support wireless controllers by default. Now here comes another decision. Wireless controllers eat batteries quickly, so there are also video game console accessories in the form of rechargeable batteries for a wireless controller to save on battery replacement costs. 

In addition to standard gamepads, video game console accessories include controllers specific to certain genres of games. Nintendo's Wii is the perfect example of this. With its interactive game play and miriad of games, the Wii accessories have exploded. You can get add ons to the controllers in the form of anything from a sports pack of golf club, tennis racket, and pool cue, to a steering wheel, fishing rod, and even a sword and shield combo.

Beyond the accessories that pertain to controllers, most of the latest consoles serve as DVD players, letting you watch movies on them. So, you need a decent remote control for this purpose. The Xbox 360 ships with a basic remote, but there are remote controls with even more features out there that are universal to incorperate the rest of your video and audio components as well. Consoles like the original Xbox and the PS2 need a remote control to use DVD movie playback without having to get up and manually control the options from the console itself.

Most new consoles also offer Internet connections for online multiplayer gaming. Since these consoles are usually not located in close proximity to your personal PC which has your internet hook-up, this opens the window for accessories that provide Wi-Fi connectivity for your console. Online gaming also opens up for potential headset accessories for your console, so you can chat with other online gamers while playing.

Another accessory that has surfaced and become a hit is changing the shell of any and all video game consoles, living room and handheld. There are many new faceplates, hard cases, and skin kits out on the market for consoles. You can change yours to match the rest of your home entertainment components, or give yours some personality and go with a bold color or design. Now you can match your handheld console with your cell phone!

On to the handhled accessories, which there are far more available. One of the more useful handheld console accessories is a grip. Handheld consoles have continued to get smaller and smaller, and they can be harder to hang onto for gamers with large hands. A grip gives you better control of your console for your enjoyment of any and all games.

Next on the list for handheld accessories would probably be different types of rechargable battries. You can find double-sized batteries available and also, batteries built into other accessories. And, since handheld consoles are rather small and prone to accidents, it's a great idea to pick up a case of some sort for your handheld console. Cases for handheld consoles come in a huge variety, from a basic protective bag to metal armor cases that protect your handheld during a fall. The screens on handheld consoles are quite vulnerable to scratches during average use, so screen protectors are another common video game console accessory.

Since you will be using your portable console on the road, you will find many accessories geared towards this, such as AC adapters for use of your console in the car, mounting accessories to help stabilize in a vehicle, and even passing the audio of your handheld console through your car stereo system. While you may be able to use your car audio for your handheld while in transit, you can pick up many audio accessories in the form of speaker set-ups for use anywhere else.

There are rumors of more advanced video game console accessories coming out for the PSP in the near future. Such things as global positioning system (GPS) capabilities, as well as keyboards for faster typing when you're Web browsing. The Nintendo DS and the new smaller DS Lite also have many unique accessories available. With dual screens, having some sort of screen protection is essential, but there are lots of other accessory options as well. Unfortunately, some of the best accessories are only currently available in Japan. Such add-ons like a TV tuner that allows you to keep up with your favorite television shows and a Web browser add-on card. The good news is these accessories will most likely be becoming available to the U.S. and other markets soon.

Shopping Tips

Tip #1  Shopping for accessories from third-party vendors will usually save you money over buying directly from the console manufacturer. This is true especially when it comes to purchasing additional controllers for your consoles. Keep in mind that some third-party controllers do not work as well as the manufacturer model.

Tip #2  Third-party vendors also have a much wider range of accessories to offer you for your console.  Most console manufacturers only offer replacement parts and additional controllers. There are many great third-party companies out there. Some in store giants are MadCatz, Datel, and Nyko. Search on the web ( like here on ebay) there are many more options. Just remember to read through all the inportant auciton information before purchasing.

Tip #3   Accessories for handheld consoles often come in kits that combine a variety of the add-ons you need in a package. This can help you save your money. When you first purchase your handheld console, it can be a great idea to get the accessories you need in a package together instead of buying 1 here or there.

Tip #4   When purchasing accessories for cosmetic reasons for your console, make sure you think about what you want out of it before jumping in. There are many varieties of these out there, and you could find yourself with something you didnt really want, if you dont think it through first. I would suggest asking yourself a few questions before purchasing. How much am I looking to spend? This can make a big different between buying a hardcase, or one of the more affordable versions like skin kits or faceplates. If you are going all out and know exactly what you want and dont plan to change it, then the hardcase is for you. Also, do you want to be able to change your accessories up? If you do then going with the new bling accessories or skin kits would be great. Most are removable and some are even reusable.

Tip #5   One more thing to think about is protecting your console. While many do put cases and skins on there consoles for personalization. You can also protect your original console at the same time. And if you do not want to change the look of it, there are clear or matching covers available on the market for you.

Most of all have fun accessorizing your consoles. There is a world of possibilities for you to find exactly what you are looking for.