Peripherals
Peripherals, Accessories, however you want to say it. All these words describe additionaldevices that enhance your gaming experience, whether it be headsets, different types of controllers or a camera. So let's see which console has the better gadgets. Note however that only the official ones made by the console manufacturer count.
Controllers
The Xbox 360 Controller (34,99€) can be bought either attached with a wire or wireless, conneting with the console via infrared. The wireless controller is available in white, black, blue and pink. Because it requires 2 AA batteries, there are 2 peripherals to fix this problem: The Play & Charge Kit (19,99€) and the Quick Charge Station (34,99). The first comes with a battery pack and a wire, so you can charge your controller when it's emtpy, the second one is a charging station for your battery packs.
Another option is the Messenger Kit (29,99€), which is a miniature keyboard that you can attach to the bottom of your controller. It makes typing a whole lot easier.
As an alternative to the standard gamepad, Microsoft sells a Wireless Racing Wheel (89,99) for racing games, complete with 2 pedals and the wheel with all buttons. For the movie quizz Scene It? there are the Big Button Controllers (4-39,99€), and for the karaokee game Lips you have a Microphone (2-59,99€)
The standard controller for the PlayStation 3 is the DualShock 3 (49,99€), which is available in black, ceramic white, red and blue. It is wireless over bluetooth and is rechargable right out of the gate with a standard mini-USB cable, so there is no need for expensive recharging accessoires.
Just as on the 360, there is a Wireless Keypad (39,99) sold for attaching to the controller's top. It works the same way as on the Xbox 360, but with a twist: The buttons work as a touch screen with which you can move the cursor around, which is a great tool for browsing the internet with the PS3.
The PlayStation staple Buzz Buzzers (4-64,99€) and the SingStar Microphones (2-44,99€) also work completely wirelessly. In cooperation with Logitech, Sony also sells the Driving Force Gran Turismo (89,99), which comes with 3 pedals and even a gear switch.
Headsets
On the Xbox 360 you get a choise of two kinds of headsets: The Xbox Live Headset (12,99) and the Wireless Headset (39,99€). As the names implie, on is wired into the controller, and the other communicates with your console over IR and is fully rechargeable.
The PlayStation 3 gives you only one option, which is the official Wireless Bluetooth Headset (39,99€), which comes with it's own docking station. But if you happen to own any other bluetooth headset, you can hook that up aswell.
Cameras
The Xbox Live Vision Camera (29,99€) can be used for video chat, taking mugshots in certain games or to play "You're in the Movies!".
The pendant to that is the PlayStation Eye (34,99€). It can be used for the same things as the XBL Vision Cam and you can even download the PlayStation Eye software for free to do some video editing.
Home Entertainment
For the Xbox 360 you can buy the Universal Media Remote (14,99€), communicating via IR, if you like to watch movies or listen to music on your 360 and want to have the authentic feel.
If you wanna use all your Xbox 360 IR peripherals on your PC you can buy the Wireless Gaming Reciever (34,99).
The PlayStation 3 offers a really unique way of home entertainment with PlayTV (74,99€), a DVB/T reciever, which turns the PS3 into a full HDD recorder. If hooked up to a DVB/T or DVB/T-2 antenna you can watch and record any TV programm right on your PS3. To spice it up you can even buy the Bluetooth Remote (29,99€), so you can switch TV channels on the fly.
Internet Connectivity
To connect with a WLAN router you need to buy the Wireless Network Adapter (50€) for your Xbox 360.
Memory
There are two reasons why you might want to buy a Memory Unit (64MB: 24,99 512MB: 49,99) for your Xbox 360: Because you have an Arcade model that does not have a HDD, or because you want to take one of your savegames over to a friend's house. The 512 model even comes packed with the game Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved.
If you happen to have a 360 Arcade you even want to upgrade to a 60GB Hard Drive (74,99€) or a 120GB HDD (139,99).
If you are one of the lucky persons to own the firs PlayStation 3 model, which is backwards compatible, you may want to use your old ps1 and ps2 saves on your ps3. The solution to this is the Memory Card Adapter (19.99€).
Motion Controll Projects
Microsoft's try to copy the Wii's success is Project Natal. It is a camera-like device that tracks full 3D motion and is capable of vocie recognition without any controller involved. You can navigate through the menus with a simple flick of the wrist and turn it on or off with a simple voice command. Controlling a car in Burnout Paradise is as easy as pretending to grab a steering wheel and step on a pedal.
Project Natal is set to come out in Spring 2010.
Of cource Sony also has somethin up their sleeves. It is called the Wand and basically is an extention of their long running EyeToy francise. All you need is a PlayStation Eye Camera and one or two Wands, which are plastic sticks with a glowing ball ontop. It can do everything the WiiMote can and more, tracking your movements in full 3D space with high precition. Imagine, a Wii with the PS3's power...
THE WINNER IN THIS CATEGORY
The controllers don't need additional charging peripherals, all the wireless devices communicate over Bluetooth, you have a hard drive in every model, the keyboard works as a touchscreen and you have the ability to transform your video game console into a full Hard Drive TV Recorder. What do you want more?
STAY TUNED FOR THE SIXTH AND FINAL ROUND: ROUND 6 - THE CONCLUSION
