Microsoft has opened the German Games Convention with several new desktop PC peripherals announcements and additional details about Xbox 360 accessories announced earlier this year. We've put together a list of all the accessories to get you up to date on the hardware Microsoft is planning to release through the end of 2006.
On the Xbox 360 front, Microsoft revealed pricing and launch information for several Xbox 360 accessories including the Wireless Racing Wheel, the Xbox Live Vision Camera, and the Wireless Headset.
Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel
Microsoft is touting the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel as one of the first racing wheels to be manufactured by a first party in the modern console era, which is an important point because racing game developers will be able to design for a standard wheel on the 360. The wireless wheel features full rumble while in wireless mode, but, as with other racing wheels, you'll need to plug the unit into a wall outlet to power force feedback support. The wheel will be available this November for $149.99, and it'll be bundled with a limited edition force feedback version of Project Gotham Racing 3.
Xbox Live Vision Camera
We've already gone hands-on with the Xbox Live Vision Camera, but Microsoft has kept the final pricing information secret until now. Microsoft will ship the Vision in two different packages. The first package, at $39.99, will include the Vision camera, a headset, a one-month Xbox Live Gold subscription, and two Vision-enabled Xbox Live Arcade games: Uno and TotemBall. The second bundle, for $79.99, will include the Vision camera, a headset, a full-year Xbox Live Gold subscription, 200 Microsoft Points, and three Xbox Live Arcade games including Uno, TotemBall, and Robotron: 2084.
Xbox 360 Wireless Headset
The Xbox 360 wireless controller becomes a lot more cumbersome once you have to tether yourself to a headset cable for voice chat, but Microsoft will be happy to provide you with a wireless Xbox 360 headset to solve that problem. The wireless headset has a built-in transmitter that allows it to communicate directly with the Xbox 360 console without going through the controller. Microsoft has also outfitted the wireless headset with improved microphone and speaker components to improve audio fidelity. The headset will arrive in November for $59.99.
Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player
The Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player will let Xbox 360 owners use the console to playback HD-DVD movies. The player will read the HD-DVD and send data to the console, where it will be processed and sent out to the HD display though the normal Xbox 360 component or VGA video cables. To make up for the USB port the player will occupy on the console, the drive will have two USB ports that can be used just like ports on the console itself. Microsoft hasn't announced the release date or final pricing for the player yet, but the add-on will be less expensive than a stand-alone HD-DVD player since it can use the console for all the video-processing work.
Xbox 360 Holiday 2006 Faceplates
Those tired of looking at that same old Xbox 360 will have three new official Microsoft faceplate options to choose from this November. The selection includes Halo Master Chief, Viva Piņata, and Forza Motorsport 2. You'll be able to give that iconic inhale a new face for just under $20.
What accessories are you most excited about? What accessories do you want Microsoft to develop for the PC and Xbox 360?
Microsoft Accessories Rundown 2006
Microsoft has opened the German Games Convention with several new desktop PC peripherals announcements and additional details about Xbox 360 accessories announced earlier this year
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