Recommended video games accessories

All the video games accessories you could want for your games console

Enrich your game playing experience with video games accessories for all the popular games consoles, including Xbox 360, Sony PS3, PS2 and PSP, Nintendo Wii and DS all at great prices.

Whether you're looking for controllers, memory cards or headsets, Video Games Accessories searches the web to bring you the best deals at the lowest prices. We search for video games accessories from established retailers to ensure that you get the best out of your video gaming experience.

In order to help you purchase the right video games accessories for your games console, we have provided a basic guide below.

What video games accessories will I need?

All the basic essential accessories that are required to play a video games console is more often that not included in the package so you won't need to purchase any additional accessories. Whenever you purchase a new games console, usually one games controller, a power adapter and a cable to plug into the back of your television as well as the console itself is included. Different makes of televisions will require different cables; these may be an HDMI, VGA AV, HD or RGB SCART cable so make sure you know which type of cable your TV can use. Some video games packages will include a game or several games; if not then you will have to purchase them separately. However, consider buying one that is included as they may save you a few pounds.

Different packages will include different accessories; some packages may include one or several games, a memory card and other accessories required to play a particular game. For example, a racing game package may include a steering wheel or a shooting game may include a light gun to add that element of realism to your game playing experience. Make sure you check what is included in each package to ensure it suits your gaming needs before you buy.

First party vs. Third party Accessories

What is the difference between first party and third party video games accessories? Well, first party accessories are products that are officially manufactured by the video games console company whereas third party accessories are manufactured by companies that have no direct relation with the console manufacturer. First party accessories are likely to be more expensive than third party ones but are likely to be of higher quality and more compatible with the video games console itself.

As third party manufacturers specialise in these types of products, they are likely to produce accessories that the official games manufacturers have not thought about or yet developed so they can bring something to the marketplace that can improve a game player's experience.

Memory Cards

For most games, a memory card will be required to save the progress of your game. Without these, you would have to restart a new game every time you switched your console on. A cheap memory card is enough to save several games onto but it is recommended you buy one with a lot of memory so you can save all your games on one card as opposed to having lots of them and losing track which game is saved on which card. Despite being an extra cost, it's definitely an accessory to invest in and have.

Controllers

The number of controllers that are required depends on how many people will be playing the games console. If you regularly play with your friends then it's best to purchase an extra controller. Any extra controllers that are needed to play multi-player games can brought by your friends. If you normally play just one players games or play multi-player games online then having just one controller will be enough.

Cheats

Do you keep getting killed by an end-of-level boss or can't seem to beat the computer-controlled opponents in a race? Cheat accessories help you defeat end-of-level bosses and speed through levels with ease. These can either come in the form of a book with cheat codes in them which you type in while playing the game or an attachment to your games console to enable you to input cheat codes that can't be entered any other way. A video game accessory which is a must for any troubled gamer.

Cleaning

It's a good idea to invest in some cleaning accessories for your video games console. These will ensure that your games run smoothly. Most games consoles use discs to store their games so a disc cleaner is something to consider buying. Portable video games, such as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP can get dirty and scratched quite easily so you might to buy cleaning and protector packs.

Faceplates / Skins

Bored of the way your video games consoles look? Personalise them with faceplates and skins available in a variety of styles, designs and colours. Buy several faceplates and change one for another when you get bored of it.

Fitness

Do your parents keep nagging you about playing video games all day and not getting enough exercise? Well get fitness video games accessories and kill two birds with one stone! Currently just for the Nintendo Wii, fitness games and accessories have become all the rage and have revolutionised the gaming industry. Gamers can now play great video games while getting exercise and becoming fit simultaneously. No more nagging from the parents! So get fit and have fun, buy the latest fitness video games accessories today.

Game Chairs

Feel like you're actually in the game you're playing by getting a game chair. These types of video games accessories are usually for racing games to give you that realistic feeling of being in a racing car but can also be used for other genres of games and more general entertainment purposes, such as watching movies and listening to music with personal surround sound for greater audio quality.

Headsets

Gaming headsets are used for online multi-player games that enable you to communicate with other players without having to type in messages using a keyboard. Ideal for team games that require plans and strategies to be developed among your team-mates.

Headsets can connect to your games console either with wires or use wireless technology such as Bluetooth or digital radio frequency. They may be powered by USB or batteries, depending on the type you purchase, so check the power method before committing to a purchase.

In-car

Play your favourite games consoles and games on long car journeys with in-car accessories. As well as in-car chargers, which is ideal for portable video games consoles such as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP, other accessories include monitors for playing the Xbox 360 and PS2 while on the move which is a great idea if you don't like leaving your favourite game at home.

Light Guns

The perfect accessory for first person shoot 'em games. Much more effective and quicker than using a controller to move the cursor across the screen to target enemies and objects. This type of video games accessory also gives the player a more realistic feel to any game they play.

Music

With the explosion in popularity of music games, such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band, music video games accessories are becoming increasingly more popular purchases as gamers play these types of games with their friends and family. As some music games only include one instrument, gamers may be required to purchase other musical instruments separately if they are to play games such as Rock Band, which requires the drums, lead and bass guitar as well as a mic for the lead singer. Although some of these music games can be played using the controller, it does not add the same excitement and realism that the purpose-built music instruments offer.

Points Cards

Points cards enable you to purchase downloadable content, such as games and music videos, from a games consoles online store. For example, Nintendo Wii points cards let you download the best SNES, NES, N64 and Sega Megadrive games as well as extra features for existing Wii games. Great idea for those who sorely miss those classic retro games.

Power Supply Units

Power supply units can easily be lost or damaged so many video games retailers offer to sell these for most, if not all, the popular video games consoles.

Remote Controls

As many of the latest generation games consoles can now play music, movies and other media as well as video games, remote controls are a great accessory to have when playing back your favourite song or film. Just like any other remote control, they will have all the buttons you will find on any other remote control, such as the power button, play, rewind, fast forward, stop etc, making controlling media so much easier than using the games controller.

Speakers

An ideal accessory for those who place great emphasise on sound quality when playing games or those who enjoy listening to music or watching movies on their games consoles. Speakers are available for many of today's popular video games consoles, including Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii and PS3 to enhance audio quality.

Steering Wheels

Steering wheels are great video games accessories that enable you to interact with your racing games more, such as Mario Kart or Gran Turismo. Many steering wheels will include foot pedals and stick shifters to add that touch of realism to your game playing experience. Use gaming chairs with the steering wheels and completely immerse yourself in racing games.

Travel/Storage Cases

Due to the nature of portable video games consoles, such as the Nintendo DS or Sony PSP, they can get scratched or damaged easily so it is recommended to buy a storage or travel case to keep them in so they stay in great condition.

Many travel cases have numerous pockets to store games and other accessories so they are handy to have if you carry all your accessories with you wherever you go.

Strategy Guides and Books

This a great accessory to buy if you are stuck completing a certain part of a game. Strategy guides will help players go through a game step-by-step, telling them which doors to go through, which objects need to be collected and where, how to find hidden items etc. Some will also help games to complete a game 100% so that new things can be unlocked, such as new characters and levels.

Styli

The Nintendo DS styli are small and fragile things so can easily be lost or damaged so many retailers sell replacement styli in various styles and designs, including styli in the shape of Star Wars lightsabres and Crayola pencils as well as those similar to the original Nintendo stylus. Great for adding a personal touch to your portable video games machine.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions, such as Xbox Live, allow you to connect to the Internet through your Xbox to enable you to play games online with your friends and family, download extra features and content for your existing games, try out new demo games before you buy them, stream movies and music and access social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Great for those who enjoy surfing the net and playing games.

Time Cards

Time cards allow gamers to play certain games online with other online gamers for a certain period of time, usually 60 days. Time cards are available for massive multiplayer online games, such as World of Warcraft, Warhammer Online and Lord of the Rings Online.

Webcams

A great video game accessory to see who you are playing against or for chatting with friends and family online. Webcams can also be used to take pictures of yourself which can be used to make yourself the star of some video games. A fun feature for any game.

Wireless Networking

An essential video games accessory if you want to play games or stream movies and music online. Wireless networking means you can surf the net via your games consoles without cluttering up the house with cables and wires.

It is recommended that you get the fastest wireless network adapter or router you can afford. Faster connections mean games run more smoothly while playing online.