In Pictures: 20 Crazy And Unique Gaming Accessories

Tron Legacy

While these peripherals aren't really considered "crazy" or "weird," you have to admit that TRON: Legacy-themed devices would look great on your desktop or connected to your favorite console. The Disney-sanctioned lineup makes that dream a reality. Razer crafted the $130 laser-etched keyboard and $100 560 DPI laser mouse, while PDP created the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii controllers.

Gyroxus Full-Motion Control Chair

Now here's a gaming chair that looks ideal for roller coaster sims: the Gyroxus full-motion control chair. Compatible with the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Games for Windows, the device doesn't use motors or power-assist techniques of any kind, but rather relies on what the company calls an "innovative motion system," whatever that means. The chair doesn't require additional drivers to install, and a customized game controller is built into the crotch area. It weighs around 38 lbs., plays in a 3 ft. by 5 ft. space, and can be stored away in a 2 ft. square. Priced at $249.95, the chair comes in two flavors: one for the PlayStation 3 and another for the Xbox 360 and Games for Windows.

Wolfking Warrior Game Pad

Wolfking claims that its circular Warrior game pad was created as the ultimate first-person shooter (FPS) gaming keyboard, and is custom-designed especially for the genre. Available in four colors, the device features an ergonomic circular WASD layout and an oversized vertical space bar. It also provides various sets of keys for communication, weapons, and customization (auxiliary).

Although noisy "clicky" keyboards don't seem to be the norm as of late, Wolfking even embeds a flexible three-layer silicon membrane that allows gamers to play all through the night undetected.

Gamers Cockpit Works Frame

If the previous Gyroxus full-motion control chair didn't have enough bling for your expensive tastes, the Gamers Cockpit Works Frame, selling for a staggering $999.95, might have the sex appeal for which you look.

This rigid steel chassis, made from BlueScope 250-grade steel, is ready for your steering wheel, pedals, shifter, and sound system. There's also an area designated for your PC and a spot for mounting an LCD screen. The actual seat is included with the package. Customers can choose from a variety of styles and colors. Don't want this bulky thing to become a permanent fixture in the den? Just throw on the optional wheels and move the cockpit somewhere else.

Tactile Gaming Vest

While this isn't a commercial product (yet), the Tactile Gaming Vest could very well become a permanent part of gaming in the future. Originally conceived as a class project for MEAM 625: Haptic Interfaces for Virtual Environments and Teleoperation in Spring 2009, the device proved that it was possible to provide haptic feedback from first- and third-person shooter games.

When wearing the vest, users feel the appropriate sensation in the correct area. If you get shot in the chest, you could feel a vibration and/or heat from the virtual wound. The vest is controlled by custom electronics and a personal computer and includes a multitude of solenoids, eccentric-mass motors, and Peltier elements. For more information, check out the vest by heading here.

The Peregrine Glove

Although some of us still have nightmares about Nintendo's Power Glove from the early days of gaming, the wired Peregrine Glove looks to squash those fears with over 30 user-programmable touch point actions, durable touch points, and user-adjustable sensitivity.

The idea is to trigger commands in popular games by touching the fingers with the thumb using activator pads located on the thumb tip, on the thumb's middle, and on the palm. Each finger consists of five touch points. When one of these areas makes contact with an activator pad, the glove sends a "keystroke" to the game. All touch points and activator pads connect to an electronic pod magnetically seated in a socket mounted on the top of the hand. This is where the glove interprets and feeds the commands to the PC. It's also where gamers can store their custom configurations. Ultimately, this device reduces finger travel and may actually cut down on keyboard-related stress to the fingers and wrist.

Novint Falcon Pistol Grip

The Novint Falcon game controller is strange, touted as a "small robot" that replaces the mouse and joystick. The device, appearing as one big robotic eye with three mechanical "arms," remains stationary as a grip connected to the arms moves forward, backward, right, left, up, and down, essentially providing three dimensions of control.

To move the cursor on the screen, players move the Falcon's detachable grip. Motors turn on and are updated approximately 1000 times per second. The pistol grip is an extra accessory that can replace the Falcon's original grip. Naturally, this peripheral is ideal for first-person shooters, offering a working trigger and three additional buttons. Strangely enough, the pistol grip isn't available for sale in New York City, but you can purchase the peripheral anywhere else around the globe.

Digital Edge Pro Gaming Table

Although not necessarily a "crazy" peripheral, the Digital Edge Pro gaming table could look somewhat Swordfish-ish after throwing on three 21" LCD monitors, a joystick, a steering wheel, gas pedals, and other gaming peripherals.

The company says that this setup was designed with CH Products controllers in mind, providing three levels of tabletop real estate and a black enamel finish. But don't let the picture fool you. Without the LCD displays, the desk is only 31.7" tall. Depending on how the second tier is positioned, the desk is around 60.6" wide and 41.7" deep without the addition of a chair.

For $299, the setup actually looks fairly decent, and would make for one heck of a gaming station when the PC and all of its bling-based peripherals are moved in.

Saitek Cyborg R.A.T. 7 Gaming Mouse

Here's a gaming mouse that doesn't look quite like the standard mouse. In fact, it looks as if it could sprout wheels and drive across rough terrain. Called the Cyborg R.A.T. 7, Saitek's device promises to help you play like the pros, "combining state-of-the-art technology with a jaw-dropping array of customizable features to produce the next step in the evolution of the mouse," the company says.

Some of the features this beast touts include interchangeable pinkie grips, palm rests, a custom weight system, four custom DPI settings, five programmable buttons, and a 5600 DPI "twin eye" laser sensor. The device's length can also be adjusted to suit your hand size and grip style.

NaturalPoint TrackIR 5

Need that extra edge when playing your favorite FPS? NaturalPoint's TrackIR5 will supposedly track your head and convert the movements for the game you're playing, providing six degrees of freedom, including pitch, roll, yaw, and XYZ. Unlike a standard mouse, the device clamps to the LCD screen much like a webcam, keeping track of your chair and head rotation.

In a first-person sense, this eliminates "mouse-look" and instead matches the game's perspective with the angle of your head. Turn your head to the left and the game follows the same virtual viewpoint. The list of supporting PC games is quite extensive, and generally includes a number of sims. To see this device in action, check out a YouTube video here.

Splitfish Dual SFX Evolution

The SplitFish Dual SFX Evolution split controller looks like an oddly decorated Xbox 360 controller that was divided right down the middle. As some of us have discovered with the Wii, controls of this kind sort feel more natural, allowing the hands to move freely, not locked to one central, stationary area. That sense of freedom could be applied here.

According to the company, the device(s) gives "all the best [an] analog stick control can offer," while providing assignable dual, independent wireless motion for analog stick emulation. Strangely enough, SplitFish calls the left portion "FragChuck" and the right portion as "EvoChuck." Although it's built for the PC, the controller is also compatible with the PlayStation 3.

  • hardcore_gamer
    yaaay..My warrior gaming keyboard is on the list :P
    Reply
  • killerclick
    There is nothing on this list I'd like to own. Am I now a cranky old man?
    Reply
  • virtualban
    Me too, nothing on this list that I like to own.

    Come on, bring me the VR helmet with motion sensing and differentiated output for stereo vision, at least HD resolution, light and compact enough to allow me to jerk my head fast if needed be.
    Reply
  • amnotanoobie
    The Buffalo USB controller looks fun. Though I'm not sure if it'd be really usable on any of today's new games.
    Reply
  • gaborbarla
    I always wanted a driving chair that tilts slightly the opposite way as you corner. This would add a lot of realism to taking corners as one would have to lean in.
    I could imagine this could be a device that you can put on a chair that will just elevate the one side as the corners are coming. Fat asses need not apply, will burn the motor down. :D
    Reply
  • Stormphoenix
    Are those psyko headphones any good?
    Reply
  • -Fran-
    I own the original Belkin n52 and it's awesome. There are several others build directly into the keyboard as well and other similar products to the n52.

    That one is a recommended buy IMO.

    Cheers!
    Reply
  • too bad wolfking is out of business :(
    Reply
  • Sabiancym
    I've been thinking about getting the R.A.T. mouse. Looks awesome.
    Reply
  • deadly4u
    Saitek Cyborg R.A.T. 7 is fantastic to play with. A friend of mine got one. At first it looked a little bulky and on the overkill side. When I tried using it, all my previous thoughts about it vanished, and I was amazed at how comfortable the mouse was, and how conveniently placed all the controls were.
    Reply