Peripheral gizmos and gadgets seem to be a natural fit for gamers, most of whom would sooner die than part with their favorite mouse or gamepad. The latest toys for computer games include egonomic input devices, 3D glasses, and precision mouse pads. These accessories can dramatically improve the way we interact with games and, in some cases, make us more competitive.
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
Shooter fans are known to demand the utmost precision and reliability from their pointing device. Logitech has answered the call with a series of high performance gaming mice, with the G9 Laser Mouse leading the way. This mouse features interchangeable grips of different widths and stores up to 5 custom profiles in onboard memory. The G9 can be set to different resolutions up to 3200 dpi, and it has a good variety of buttons.
Microsoft SideWinder Gaming Mouse
Microsoft recently resurrected it's SideWinder brand with the release of a new lazer mouse for gamers. The SideWinder has 5 programmable buttons, on-the-fly resolution settings, removable weights, and even a small LCD that shows DPI settings and macro icons. The thumb buttons protrude distinctly from the side, and they're aligned vertically rather than horizontally, which makes them both easy to reach. People with small hands might find it a little large, but other than that it's a great addition to your PC gaming arsenal.Ergodex DX1 Input System
The Ergodex is a customizable keypad that is unlike anything on the market. It comes with a pad and 25 keys which can actually be arranged in whatever layout the user is most comfortable with. The keys are stuck to the pad with a reusable adhesive, making it easy to adjust them to fit your hand and your gaming style. A very clever alternative to a standard keyboard, although it is a bit pricey.Fang Gamepad
The Fang Gamepad is another device designed to keep the buttons you need close at hand and take some pressure off of your keyboard. This controller puts 41 keys at your disposal, as well as several thumb buttons on the sides, and it's even ambidextrous. The Fang comes from Ideazon, makers of the Zboard, and gives you most of the advantages of a full-size gaming keyboard for considerably less money.Nostromo n52 SpeedPad
Belkin's n52 is the better of two relatively affordable Nostromo SpeedPad devices that combine a miniature keyboard with an assortment of gamepad like functions, including a throttle wheel, for use with the left hand. They are highly programmable and sure to prove a worthy addition to any in-game arsenal.Ideazon Zboard
The Zboard is a customizable keyboard that features an interchangeable "keyset" which can be swapped out depending on the game you're playing. Each keyset is designed for a particular game, giving you quick access to game controls that are intuitively layed out, sized, and labelled. There are also special keysets for business applications, if you're into that sort of thing. The downside to this approach is that the cost of the keysets will start to add up if you play a lot of different games.Plantronics Multimedia Stereo PC Headphones
Typing is a tedious way to communicate with your teammates, so headsets are quickly becoming a way of life for online gamers. Serious clans and guilds almost always set up a voice channel using a free program like TeamSpeak or Ventrillo, but not every PC is equipped with a decent microphone. Plantronics has a reputation for making good headsets at a reasonable price, and the .Audio 350 is a good choice for both gaming and music.X-Arcade Control Panel
Most of us are relatively casual about arcade games, but like everything else, there are always those who take the hobby very seriously. This unique control panel is designed to emulate the stick and buttons found on the classic coin-operated arcade game machines. It supports many different game platforms and comes with a lifetime warranty.E-D 3D Glasses
Reliable sources tell me that these actually work, and that the effect is incredible. There is some fascinating science behind them which involves blocking the image going to each eye in synchronization with the monitor's refresh rate, and apparently they now work with LCD monitors as well as CRTs. They make 3D games look sort of like a hologram behind a sheet of glass. They're probably more appropriate for RPGs than FPSes, but they've been getting good reviews.Razer Mantis Mouse Pad
Gamers tend to expect a little more from a mouse pad than typical computer users. Mouse pads designed for gaming are larger than regular mouse pads so you have more room to swing around. They also typically use low-resistance surfaces for action that is quick and smooth. Razer's mouse pads are a common sight at LAN parties and pro game competitions.