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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.
Next: New Microsoft gaming mice and wireless 360 controller for Windows >>
What accessories are you most excited about? What accessories do you want Microsoft to develop for the PC and Xbox 360?





344 Comments
Errrr , not wanting to sound a tit, but the guys at XBOX helpline told me that you could stick in any windows approved keyboard in the 360 and it would work ... didnt think tio ask about the mouse ......
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mouse and keyboard
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MOUSE AND KEYBOARD!! JUST INCASE U DIDNT HEAR MIRCOSOFT....... MOUSE AND BLOODY KEYBOARD PLEASE!!!
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Man, the wireless headset looks sweet!
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Have to agree with the others mouse and keyboard would be a step ahead of Sony in my book.
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where's the 360mote?
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How come you didn't give us a price on the HD-DVD Player?
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I think ill get forza and the steering wheel, but only coz its effectively like $80 when u get pgr3 as well (sic game). If the cam gets more support in games i think i could get that, its what 40 bux and a cheap made in china faceplate is 20...wtf??? and for the dude who said the ps3 motion sensor controler is cool.......no....just no.......wii will do it right, ps3s' is an after thought and means NO RUMBLE will be shi *stops mid sentence* neways go the wheel, but ive never had a racing whel before, will i need to set up a table infront of the tv or is my lap gunna be sufficiant?? oh and if that new rally game colin mcray 1000 or what ever they are up to now is good and supports it too (im assuming forza will support it with force feedback....) then it should be awesome. that jar i started for the hdtv is not gonna fill up quick at this rate.
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YeeeeH we waiting for KEYBOARD AND MOUSE FOR XBOX360 ... Just do it Microsoft .. come on guyz
)
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I think that with all the money Microsoft makes, they should let online play be for free like the ps2
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keyboard and mouse for 360 please guys
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KEYBOARD AND MOUSE FOR 360 WOULD BE REALLY NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I think it would be interesting to have a small accessory pad for the PC that has the same function as the pad on the laptop for the movement of the cursor but is not mounted to the key board and is hooked by USB to the tower
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look at that wheeel but that make us back to the USA sales style you buy the console for 500 and you spend 2000 for accessories so now wuts the difference betwenn the console and the pc ??
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Look at what MS is making us all buy hd-dvd headsets chargers for or wireless controllers ect. the ps3 has a usb cable with it thats not fair an a bigger hard drive an keyboard support, an wi-fi out of the box. an the wii has that whole controller thing goin for it. not fair gana trade in my 360 for a ps3 an wii
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They say the hd dvd drive is $200 and he xbox 360 premium is $400 so if you want an experience similar to hat of a Ps3 you have to pay the same amount and people complain about the price of the playstation 3 personally im for ps3.
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gimmie gimmie that steering wheel!!! but my only question is...when it does come out is the pgr3 force feedback edition the only racing game to work with it?
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I can't wait untill I get my pimped out laptop!!!! I love what Microsoft is doing. Soon enough, Xbox and X360 games will be compatible with the Windows platform. Watch, I have an extremely strong feeling that microsoft is heading in that direction.
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Agreed.
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xbox 360 kicks but and pc is only alive cause of one game wow but i love wow so who cares
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I agree, BIGGER HARD DRIVES!!!
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I am really excited about the wireless headset and some-what about the camera.
I am really disappointed that Microsoft has still not come out with PC "game profile" software for their controllers. (wired or wireless)
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Do you have to use the XBOX 360 for power when using the new HD DVD player? The noise from the XBOX 360 will keep me from buying the HD DVD if this is so.
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how about a gamepad with refined joysticks with better sensitivity! I'm getting killed in pac man! I heard one is coming out, but with all the arcade ports being released on live, it's very necessary.
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The wheel looks awsome, but where is a manual transmission wheel like the one logitech is making for the PC? I dont know about u guys, but i rather race wit a 6 speed than auto/ and paddle shifters any day! Its just more fun and exciting
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it is already keyboard compatible, only games have to incorporate it. you can use a keyboard for messaging in game as well as on the dashboard
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Korubi - The camera can already be used on your computer.
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Microsoft must add keyboard and mouse support!!! I am excited about the wireless xbox360 steering wheel since due to there being no keyboard or mouse support I exclusive play racing games on xbox360. xbox360 however will be my last gaming console. Adding a high def TV to my PC has made me realize that PC gaming is far more powerful and fantastic than what xbox360 has to offer.
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ms needs to release somthing to stop 360 making loud noises , mine sounds like a jet engine
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xtrememorph.... yes it comes with pedals and the pedal has a hole in front meant to keep your heel in there so the pedals dont slide away when you hit them.. watch the video its a lot more clarifying
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I want this wheel!!!!
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I'm probably gonna' grab all of the above accessories except for the steering wheel (don't play that many racing games). I just want to see how the wireless headset feels before I pick up one of those.
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The HD Dvd Drive, the Vision camera, and the wireless headset all look nice but WHERE is the BIGGER HARDRIVE?
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Nice to hear i will be able to watch hd dvds on my xbox whey!
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In reference to the 360...
Most Important: Big Big Harddrive!!!! PLEASE!
Next Important: Camera By Itself - i have uno and xboxlivegold and a headset... how much$$??
Nextest Important: Keyboard or some kind of scaled down 'Xboard' + mouse + wireless and pretty!
hmmm... lets make that Xboard (c)2006
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I'm buying a 360 so I'm just taking care about the Vision camera's secnod pack that contains 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.
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The only thing on there worth buying for me is the camera, and that's only if there's some patch for me to hook it up to my computer.
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ANYONE KNOW IF THE HD-DVD PLAYER WILL UPCONVERT DVDS???
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HD DVD....Sounds GREAT!!!!
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sweet
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Racing wheel gonna be nice
does it come with pedals as well?
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good stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Wow, it's definitely cool that the HD-DVD player will be cheaper because the 360 will do the processing. Now if only we didn't have to pronounce it "HD-DVD". Ee-bee-dee-bee-dee. And a wireless headset?! C'mon, I just bought the wired one and it's already going to be obsolete?! Pah!
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LOL at the guy who said that component can't do true HD. take those sony goggoles off fool
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I think the HD DVD Component would be nice, then I don't have to shell out $500 for a new DVD player. Also would be nice to get a mouse and keyboard out there.
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I wonder if the XBOX 360 HD-DVD drive will upconvert DVDs to 720p or 1080i. Does anyone know?
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trying to make more money out of us
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