Manufacturer: SunFlex
MSRP: $35.00

When it comes to game controllers, I find that I usually like the standard. I can remember when new gaming control pads were introduced for the original Nintendo, but I usually just found them to be uncomfortable. I only mention this so you understand my usual level of skepticism of “new” controllers, especially those from 3rd party vendors. My belief is that when the software designers aren’t on the same team as the hardware designers, it’s probably not going to work out all that well for the gamer. And then I was asked to review the Snakebyte Wii Premium Remote XL+.

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For the Halo superfan who has everything, Boston personal data storage designer Mimoco has created a series of USB flash drives in the shape of Halo characters. You can choose either the Red Spartan, the Blue Spartan or the ever-popular Master Chief. The drives, available in capacities ranging from 2 GB to 16 GB, are FAT32 formatted and are loaded with cute and useful goodies, including screensavers, wallpapers, and avatars that you can use with your favorite instant messaging client.

We received a Red Spartan to check out for ourselves, and it’s as endearing as it is durable, with a strong plastic shell, a top that clicks closed instead of just sliding into place, and a handle in the shape of two little hands on the sides of the drive. Prices range from $16.95 to $54.95 for the Spartans, $34.95 to $79.95 for Master Chief (there seems to be no difference between the two, other than in available capacities, so popularity must be a factor in the pricing). Prices are fairly reasonable until you get to the higher capacities; a quick look on Pricewatch shows 16 GB drives available for as little as $24.99. But now that Xbox 360 owners can use non-proprietary flash drives as a storage medium, these babies will give you crazy nerd cred at your first Halo: Reach party. And non-Halo fans have not been forgotten; Mimoco also offers Hello Kitty and Star Wars collections, as well as original, non-licensed designs.

Manufacturer: Hauppauge
PC System Requirements: Windows XP SP 2/Vista/Win 7 (Windows Media Player not supported), 2.0 GHz dual-core CPU or better, 256 MB graphics card or better, CD-ROM drive for installing the HD PVR software, an available USB 2.0 port
MSRP: $199.00

They say there’s nothing good on TV, but I know a lot of people who have that one favorite show that they just can’t miss. And then there are console gamers who, much like their PC cousins, feel the need to post their gameplay videos on YouTube. While these two scenarios seem very different, one piece of hardware strives to do them both right, and do them in high definition: the Hauppauge HD-PVR.

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Manufacturer: Nox Audio
MSRP: $79.99

I could tell when I opened the case that this was no ordinary pair of headphones. In fact, I knew because I was opening a case that this was no ordinary pair of headphones. Having owned a slew of headphones in every style, from Bose noise canceling headphones to the earbuds included with the purchase of every Zune, I can say that few manufacturers bother to include a case, and all of them should.  It’s a small detail that goes a long way toward both protecting my purchase and reminding me that it’s something worth protecting.

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Manufacturer: Able Planet
MSRP: $129.99

Back in the day, I never wanted to play games with headphones on. Instead, I invested in an awesome (and supremely expensive) 7.1 Cambridge Soundworks gaming set. It was pretty spectacular, came with a lot of stuff, produced excellent sound quality, and garnered me bragging rights. Over time, however, it became less and less of what I wanted in a listening device. The speakers were bulky, the subwoofer gigantic, there were wires everywhere, and the connectors didn’t work with the new sound cards. Proper configuration was also a challenge, as people and cats routinely knocked my investment to the floor. After about eight years of service, I gave the entire setup to an audiophile friend of mine, and replaced it with a crummy set of no-name speakers. It was shortly thereafter that I realized that owning a good set of headphones was essential. When Able Planet’s True Fidelity (NC300B) headphones arrived at my doorstep, my dream of world domination via gaming finally began to come true.

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Manufacturer: SteelSeries
System requirements: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Win 7/Mac OSX (configuration software not available for Mac systems)
MSRP: $89.99 USD/79.99 Euros

PC users in general (and most gamers in particular) tend to take the humble mouse for granted. It’s standard equipment on every PC, and it’s our primary movement tool through the marvel that is the Internet (try getting around your favorite site using just your keyboard and you’ll gain a new appreciation for your mouse). Yet most of us rarely give it a second thought. All, that is, except hardcore gamers looking for the little extra edge that could make them a force to be feared in their favorite online game.

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Datel TurboFire Wireless Controller

Before the Datel TurboFire Wireless Controller arrived at my house, I didn’t even know turbo controllers still existed. The last controller with a “turbo” input I can remember using was the TurboPad that came with my Turbo Grafx 16. After a quick search online, I found that controllers with turbo settings have become popular among the FPS crowd. Datel’s new Bluetooth controller will increase your speed, but in the end, I’d still bet on the tortoise.

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If you spend most of your game time staring at a respawn counter or as road kill for other drivers to flatten, then it might be time to look for a little help. KontrolFreek wants to provide that help in the form of the FPSFreek and the SpeedFreek, economical plastic attachments for your controller. Using physics, algebra, a little English and presumably some alien technology, these accessories promise to save your game. And we all know the rewards of playing like a champ. You’re sure to get chicks (or dudes), money and more chicks (or more dudes). But can improving your game really be all that simple?

FPSFreek

When you initially look at the FPSFreek, you’re probably going to wonder how these joystick extensions improve your accuracy. The basic concept is, with the added height of the joysticks, your thumbs are provided more leverage for more precise aiming. Putting it simply, more leverage = more pwnage. At least, that’s the theory. I threw this theory right into the fire, popping in Left 4 Dead and Call of Duty 4 for the Xbox 360. After a couple of hours with both games, I felt the amount of pwnage I dealt was only slightly greater than or equal to the amount of pwnage I normally dish out. I didn’t notice any true improvement in my game, but in truth I’ve always been a fairly good FPSer.

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We did a giveaway on Episode 32 of the Avault podcast for three of Lap Works’ Premier Gamer’s Desks. Since then, I’ve had some hands-on time with one, and in short, it’s cool. It has some neat functionality, and it protects your legs from that hot laptop. It does have some issues with stability, but overall, it could be a great addition to any living-room gamer’s hardware.

The Gamer’s Desk is just as its name implies – a desk that folds open to be placed on your lap and allows you to game. It’s made of strong polycarbonate plastic that the manufacturer claims will not break under normal use. The Premier version of the desk comes with two separate mouse pads. The smaller of the two is a 6-by-9-inch mousing surface that attaches to either end, and the other is the “Max MouzPad,” a 9-by-11-inch surface. Both can be purchased separately, but the “Max MouzPad” is definitely the preferred surface.

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