There are thousands of peripherals and accessories out there for all platforms and the 360 is no exception. Obviously some are better than others, so grab a cup of coffee, get comfy and prepare to find out the 5 Xbox 360 accessories that every gamer should own.
5. Xbox 360 Arcade GameStick
Pros: The D-pad is far superior to the normal controller’s; there’s nothing quite like playing old 2600 games with a joystick; PC compatible; includes 3 free arcade games
Cons: The GameStick is best used when on a flat surface making it pretty inconvenient; not wireless; awkward for right handed gamers; useless for non-arcade titles.
This arcade style controller from Mad Catz (the ‘z’ makes it cool) allows you to use a full size joystick and spinner control with any game on the console. The GameStick features every button that’s on the normal 360 controller and a few more, such as the turbo button which has 2, 3 and 6 times speed settings for intense button mashing. For $40 you get the controller and three arcade games (Frogger, Timepilot and Astropop), which are well suited to the GameStick. Like most things the GameStick does have some problems. First, it’s not wireless. This isn’t Mad Catz’s fault as when this was made, Microsoft didn’t allow third party manufacturers to make wireless peripherals, but it can still be pretty annoying to trail a 10 ft wire across your living room. Second, Mad Catz’s decision to put the joystick in the upper-left hand corner of the pad can make it awkward to play for right handed gamers. Since this is a majority it seems like a bit of a strange design choice, as the controller feels like it would work much better if it was mirrored. The main problem comes when you stray away from Arcade titles. With more complicated controls in games like Gears of War, the GameStick becomes pretty hard to use and you’ll quickly find yourself gripping it like a maniac as you do a combat roll into a wall.
Why this is good: If you want change from the bog standard pad, this is a great alternative, and definitely has a lot of potential for arcade games.
Recommended alternatives: Standard Controller
![[Post to Twitter]](http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this-small.png)
Tweet This
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
16 responses so far ↓
1 RK1 FaMiCuS // Mar 10, 2008 at 10:32 am
On the Turtle Beach Ear Force X2 Headphones, I would suggest the Turtle Beach Ear Force X1. It’s not wireless but comes with a 16 foot long cord and then you are not wasting your money on replacing batteries and the sound quality is great since it is wired. I peripheral I would definitely recommend the Microsoft Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit, it uses battery packs so you are no longer buying tons of AA batteries and it charges pretty quick with a long lasting charge. I would also buying another battery pack with it so you can have 1 charging while you are play with another.
2 Tenudin // Mar 10, 2008 at 11:07 am
That controller mod might be worth looking into. I can definitely see the advantage of never having to take your thumbs off the joysticks. Switching weapons, jumping, reloading, etc while having 100% movement control at all times would be sweet in CoD4.
3 Maul // Mar 10, 2008 at 11:15 am
” Vastly improves controls in Ace Combat 6 leading to a much more realistic experience”
Aww, c’mon. Wheres the ‘realer’?
4 Tenudin // Mar 10, 2008 at 11:27 am
Unfortunately the controls have nothing to do with making the water ‘more realer’.
5 Eoco // Mar 10, 2008 at 1:10 pm
@RK1 FaMiCuS . I play on a PC monitor at my desk, so I am really near to the console. Therefore having a 16 foot cable coiled up on my desk isn’t a practical solution for me. I have rechargeable AA batteries so I don’t have to keep buying new ones. That said, for someone who plays on a couch or with a big TV wired headphones might be better.
6 Doll // Mar 10, 2008 at 1:23 pm
This is the first i’m hearing about the Gamercize Pro-sport. What a wonderful idea for those that can’t afford to have a treadmill or cross trainer in our living room. I’m not liking the idea that is will effect my gameplay at all if i stop using it. It would be nice if someone could try it out and write a personal review.
7 NoneOfYourBusiness // Mar 10, 2008 at 1:28 pm
It would become one hell of a routine if it worked.
“I lost 20 pounds and got to 10th prestige playing call of duty 4!!!”
8 Youlikeyams // Mar 10, 2008 at 2:29 pm
The exercise thing isn’t a first, mind. A few years ago Reebok released a PS2 exercise bike which could be used for driving games - pedalling acted as the accelerator.
9 RK1 FaMiCuS // Mar 10, 2008 at 2:50 pm
@Ecco. I know what that is like. I used to play on a 17′ monitor (which did not have built in speakers) at my desk also which is why I got the headphones I use. I didn’t really see the 16′ cord as a problem at all. Thankfully now I play on 42 inch HDTV pull I’ll still pull out the headphones if my wife doesn’t to hear random gun fire through out the night, but unfortunately she will still have to hear my drunk *ss talk with my friends while I game.
10 DougB45 // Mar 10, 2008 at 3:31 pm
pedal fat boy pedal
11 Doc // Mar 10, 2008 at 4:52 pm
@RK1
Dude I wish I had a 17-foot monitor… lol
12 RK1 FaMiCuS // Mar 10, 2008 at 5:04 pm
@Doc. Yah I do, lol. I guess I made myself look like the idiot of a day.
13 haydenkayne // Mar 10, 2008 at 7:56 pm
dosent everyone have a 17′ monitor?
14 Frantik // Mar 11, 2008 at 12:41 am
I played GH3 off a 20-foot projector screen last Thanksgiving (radio contest). That was nuts.
15 flyboy // Mar 11, 2008 at 7:42 am
Oh, hello - http://gamercize.blogspot.com/2008/01/lose-10lbs-in-weight-per-video-game.html
I’ve got over 15k gamerscore.. I’ll not exist if i play any more lol
16 refinedsugar // Mar 12, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I had to double check to see if this was posted on a Friday. Is this a joke? For most people, these peripherals are a waste of time and/or money.
Leave a Comment