Want to sharpen your aim in “Resistance” on the PlayStation 3? Get a better feel for the road in “Dirt” for the Xbox 360? Or tap out text on real keyboards instead of those lame on-screen versions? These cool console add-ons will boost your good-time gaming experience.
-- Joe Hutsko";
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Mouse and keyboard controllers
SplitFish’s FragFX Controller ($59.99; splitfish.com) gives PC gamers a familiar desktop mouse yet skips the clunky keyboard by binding movement keys to an analog controller, making the switch from desktop to console gaming more comfortable and natural.
For the Xbox 360, there’s Team Xtender’s XFPS 360 keyboard and mouse adapter. Though a Google search about the gadget turned up mixed reviews from various gamer sites, it does offer tangible proof that keyboards and mice can work with next-gen consoles, albeit shakily. While Microsoft is mum on whether the 360 will ever get native keyboard and mouse support, PS3 gamers will be able to plug in a keyboard and mouse and play the desktop way with the upcoming Unreal Tournament 3. ";
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Musical instruments
The upcoming Rock Band (Nov. 2007) for PS3 and Xbox 360 takes on the Guitar Hero franchise by expanding the band with drums, bass and vocals. Legendary guitar maker Fender will offer a special edition guitar for Electronic Art’s \"Rock Band\" to strum to the music ($79.99 for 360 and $59.99 for PS3), and drum sets and microphones by EA will also join the show. An EA bundle that brings the entire band and game together will sell for $200.";
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Racing wheels
Wii owners who feel funny holding the Wiimote horizontally to simulate a steering wheel can get a better grip with the $10 Wii Racing Wheel (intec.com), a simple circular holder for the Wiimote.
Thanks to built-in force feedback motors, the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel ($129.99; xbox.com) shakes and shudders when you’re taking hard turns – but be warned: if you smell smoke, that isn’t part of the simulation but rather a defect that Microsoft has acknowledged and will fix for free.
Logitech ratchets up the realism a few notches by mounting a stick shift on its Driving Force Pro for the PS3 ($129.99; logitech.com). ";
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Chat keyboards
Two miniature keyboard options will have you saying – make that typing - goodbye to tapping out text with on-screen keyboards. The Xbox 360 Messenger Kit ($29.99, xbox.com), which ships in September, snaps onto the 360’s controller with a tight fit and comfortable feel that doesn’t impede control.
For the PS3, there’s Mad Catz’s ThumbPad ($29.99, madcatz.com), a clunky but capable device that comes with a USB dongle that plugs into the console to make its wireless connection.";
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Webcams and wireless headsets
If a picture is worth a thousand words, the Xbox Live Vision camera is definitely worth its $40 price of admission for conducting face to face video chats or seeing friends while playing Uno. The Xbox 360’s bundled microphone handles the voice part of the connection
Sony’s PlayStation Eye webcam for the PS3 has a built-in noise-canceling mic and a two-step zoom for getting close or going wide, and bundled EyeCreate software will offer picture and video editing. The Eye is slated for October release but no price has been announced."; // END editorial data