Gaming Accessories Roundup

While Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo all offer official accessories, there's a big market out there for cheaper third-party gear. Sometimes third-party accessories aren't very good quality, but other times, they can improve your gaming experience as the manufacturer has improved upon what the console makers had started. Aussie accessory distributor BlueMouth Interactive was recently in Sydney and invited GameSpot AU along to check out its new range of console peripherals. Here's a look at some of the products it has got hitting store shelves during the next few months. First up is the PlaySeat SV that provides racing enthusiasts with a comfortable and realistic driving experience. While this is a BYO steering wheel and pedal affair, inside the seat, you'll find two speakers, a sub-woofer, and a rumble motor in the butt groove to simulate the sound and feel of a car thrashing around a racetrack. GameSpot AU's Randolph Ramsay tries out the PlaySeat SV with a Logitech G-25 steering wheel and Gran Turismo 5. BlueMouth Interactive is planning on bringing several different PlaySeat models to Australia, but the PlaySeat SV pictured in this article will retail for A$999 and be available in time for Christmas. Here's a look at the Batarang wireless PlayStation 3 controller, which is officially licensed to release alongside Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment's Batman: Arkham City. Eagle-eyed readers will note that this is the PlayStation 3 controller, but manufacturer Play A has actually copied the Xbox 360 button layout. The controller is surprisingly comfortable to hold and fits quite well in the hand. The Batman Batarang controller is A$69.95 on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. While the PS3 controller is wireless, the 360 version uses an old-fashioned USB cable. Play A also has a line of officially licensed Nintendo products, and it is working on bringing out the first official Nintendo 3DS headset. The microphone can easily be unplugged so that it's easy to store and the speakers can be turned sideways to flatten the unit out. This is a plastic sniper rifle shell that will ship alongside the online-only PS3 title--Snipers. While the game can be played with the standard DualShock 3 controller, it's really aimed at PlayStation Move owners. The rifle case holds the Move controller in the top part near the barrel, while the forward hand grip houses the sub-controller. Due to Australian importation laws, the rifle is going to change colors and won't look exactly like the one pictured above. After being released on the Wii earlier this year, Cyberbike: Cycling Sport makes its way to the PlayStation 3 alongside this exercise bike accessory. The pack will cost somewhere in the A$200 mark and communicates with your console wirelessly. The game features a series of virtual tracks for players to ride along, and the bike includes a resistance dial, allowing users to up the difficulty of peddling. Unfortunately, we weren't able to take photos of the Play A Nintendo 3DS Case and Battery, but as the name suggests it's a hard-shell case that includes a built-in battery for Nintendo's latest handheld. The BlueMouth Interactive rep told GameSpot AU that the peripheral doubles the battery life of the Nintendo 3DS and charges using the same port as the regular 3DS power adapter.

Gaming Accessories Roundup

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