Whether you're looking for something to improve your gaming experience or trying to find a great gift for the gamer that seems to have it all, there are a wide variety of gaming accessories for the Xbox 360™, Playstation® 3, or Wii™ out there. Below, we'll go over some popular gaming accessories that'll bring a smile to any gamer's face.

Gaming basics

Battery chargers like this Microsoft Quick Charge Kit for Xbox 360 let you keep gaming after your controller's original battery dies.

Gaming accessories don't have to break your wallet. There are some little add-ons that can help:

• Batteries and chargers
  The last thing any gamer wants is for his controller's battery to die during the final boss battle of that game that he's been playing for 12 hours straight. Docking stations and charging kits make it easy to pop in a spare and keep playing until the world is safe again.

• Additional controllers
  You may have a controller for playing your games, but what about when your friends come over? Having a spare controller — or three — lets you play your favorite multiplayer games with up to three of your friends at parties. Some third party manufacturers also offer themed controllers, like this Wii sports pack, to help you really get into the game.

Get the best picture

So much goes into the graphic design of a game that you'll really be missing out if you don't make the picture on your TV as good as possible — especially if you own an HDTV. Plus, you'll enjoy the enhanced picture quality with your movies and everyday TV viewing as well. Here are a couple of accessories that can make a big difference:

• Gaming Cables
  Chances are the basic audio/video cable that came with the game console isn't giving you the best picture possible, especially if you have an HDTV. Xbox 360 and PS3 owners will want to get an HDMI cable to get the best possible signal. Although component video is a good backup if your TV doesn't have HDMI, or if you're connecting the Wii. Using an HDMI cable will also allow PS3 owners to enjoy the high-def video and the high-resolution sound found on today's Blu-ray discs. Check out our full selection of gaming cables, and get more info on why cable quality matters.

• HDTV Calibration discs
  Calibration discs, like Monster's HDTV Calibration Wizard, make it easy to properly adjust your TV's image settings to get the best picture. They fit right into the disc slot on your PS3 and Xbox 360, and allow you to tailor the picture to your favorite games. This is key for video games, since you may be able to see subtle details that you couldn't before, like enemies lurking in the shadows or special items and health packs just off to the side of the screen. And it's also a definite plus if you'll be watching movies on Netflix® or playing Blu-ray discs that demand excellent picture quality. Check out our review of the Monster HDTV Calibration Wizard to get a better idea of how it works.

A universal remote like Logitech's Harmony One can help you get control of all your home theater gear, and makes movie playback on your game console a snap. (Harmony® PlayStation® 3 Adapter required for control of the PS3 using any Harmony remote)

Make your console the center of an entertainment experience

Some people fire up their game console every once in a while to relax or play with friends. But for others, gaming is just as much a part of their day as eating. Many gamers may also have more than one console, which they use for more than just gaming, like for streaming movies or music to their TV. For the dedicated gamer, we offer the following suggestions:

• Remote controls
  Sure, you can control movie playback with the controller that came with your console — but are you really going to remember what the circle or X buttons stand for when you're sitting in the dark an hour into an engaging movie? Or better yet, will your family members remember the right buttons? A universal remote has traditional buttons, plus some advanced technologies that let you control all your home theater gear. It's especially handy if you have more than one component hooked up to your home theater system, and can make operation easier for you and everyone else in your household. You can find more information in our article on universal remotes.

• A good sound system
  If you don't already have one, a sound system may be the next step in improving your gaming — as well as TV- and movie-viewing — experience. You've got a few options, but here's what we suggest:

  • For better sound with the least amount of trouble, check out sound bar speakers. Sound bars sit just above or below your TV, and can be mounted to your wall, if you choose. You'll hear clearer, more detailed sound than what you TV's speakers can produce, whether you get one that's stereo or that has some form of virtual surround sound. Some sound bars already come with a subwoofer, but if the one you're looking at doesn't you should consider adding one.
  • Another easy option is a three-speaker system. It can give you a better stereo image with two speakers. That way, you can hear enemies more clearly as they move from left to right in front of you. And they all include a subwoofer, so you'll be able to really feel the rumble of thunder from the gods or of an engine revving up before a race.
  • Imagine being able to hear enemies approaching you from behind, or airplanes and alien ships passing overhead. A full surround sound system — a receiver, five speakers, and a subwoofer — can really help immerse you in your favorite games. You can go with a prepackaged system that pairs together speakers and a receiver for you, or build your own system. Keep in mind that pre-packaged systems tend to be the more convenient option, but building your own system will usually give you the best performance and allow you to customize your setup a bit more. To get a better idea of what to look for, check out our articles on choosing and installing a prepackaged home theater system, choosing speakers for home theater, and choosing a receiver.

Surround sound systems can really improve your gaming experience. The Denon and Definitive Technology Home Theater Bundle shown above pairs a powerful home theater receiver with a high-performance speaker system that's sure to knock your socks off.