Official or Third Party Gaming Accessories - Who Wins?

Having worked in the gaming industry for over 6 years and played with the majority of the gaming accessories on the market I feel I have a good idea of what makes a quality accessory. Whether it's a controller, case, headset or keyboard I have my views.

With the launch of the Nintendo DS came a plethora of accessories and music to my ears. Previously all you could buy for console gaming was a new colour controller , poor quality headset and the range was pretty poor, from the best on the market like Logitech to some very poor own brand.

Now we have started to see a huge amount of products, unfortunately the quality hasn't grown at the same level; there is some real tat out there. However, there are also some amazing additions to your console, handheld or PC. Whether you're a hardcore gamer, casual gamer, gaming granny or grandpa there are loads and I have started to decipher the wheat from the chaff.

We are all well aware of the top brands out there and I'm not talking about the first party i.e Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft. More about the other players out there who add true value and a point of difference to you their adoring consumer.

As new products launch I will analyse them, play with them, pull them apart and test them to all ends. The comments I make are purely my own and based on my knowledge of the market.

I'm going to start with a new product that I have just had presented to me and I think there will be a few more coming along in the next few months in the run up to Christmas. Yes, yes I know it's only May!

The Nintendo Nunchuck v's Wireless Nunchuck Verdict

A few weeks ago I was sent a Datel Nintendo Wireless Nunchuck and my first thought was, why? Why develop a new product that doesn't really do anything vastly different than the wired original. So anyway; I unpacked it, connected it and played. You know what I'm impressed; I really didn't see the point before hand and was not that optimistic. The wireless-ness offers the obvious, more freedom, it also stopped me from snatching the Nunchuck with the cable from the Wireless Remote. It has also been easier to store. I always seem to get wires tangled, you know the gremlins that jump around and twist them up ready for your next visit! Really, how does that happen?

The release date for the Wireless Nunchuck is late June and I'm expecting good sales towards the end of 2008 as we get closer to Christmas and no doubt the annual shortage of Wii Consoles.

As with all Wii accessories the price has been kept low enough to be affordable to everyone, but Nintendo quality is there. Although this product is not officially licensed, it does look and feel great. The retail price will be £19.99 to £24.99

Next time I'm reviewing the growing range of PS3 Charging devices for controllers. I'm testing a few at the minute and have just started using the Pelican (PDP - Performance Design Products) PS3 Charge Stand. Looks fabulous and with its own power supply is looking like a favourite already, but we'll have to see.

Matt Holland |Gaming Specialist |http://www.tgrav.com