Top 5 accessories for your Xbox 360 this Christmas

 

When it’s time to look back, 2011 will be remembered as a great year for Xbox 360 gaming. Highlights such as Gears of War 3, Forza Motorsport 4 and Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and more have made it one to enjoy.
To help you enjoy your Xbox 360 even more we’ve compiled a list of some of the best accessories worth looking at this Christmas for all budgets. Take a look.

Microsoft Kinect


If you’ve got an Xbox 360 and not yet invested in a Kinect, it’s worth having a think about. A year from launch Kinect now takes advantage of some great games that include Kinect Sports Season 2, Child of Eden, Dance Central 2 and UFC Personal Trainer. If you’ve got children, there’s plenty for them to play, with games such as: Sesame Street: once Upon a Monster, Kinectimals, Kinect Disneyland Adventures, and others. 



New features are being added all the time. This year saw the addition of voice control, which is expected to play a big part next year in upcoming titles such as Mass Effect 3. The latest Xbox 360 dashboard hub now lets owners search for film and gaming content on their console using their voice. Rumours of the next Xbox console doubling as a set-top box acting as a media hub also suggest that Kinect may also play a role in the next generation of Xbox console.


Nyko Zoom


One of the downsides to owning a Kinect unit is requiring enough space to swing your arms. With this add-on you’ll be able to reduce the space needed to play by up to 40 per cent, letting you play in smaller bedrooms. A wide angle optical lens attachment clips onto the Kinect, magnifying the space that Kinect detects. It means that even those with less space can enjoy the delights of swinging a virtual bat in Kinect Sports: Season 2, or doing the silly shuffle in Dance Central. 



Xbox 360 Dual Charger Station

Available from most video game accessory retailers and online stores, the Xbox 360 Dual Charger Station lets you charge two Xbox 360 controllers at once while docked into the console’s USB port. You could even charge one, while playing with the other. Its holder lets you neatly once you’ve finished off that Gears of War 3 Horde session. LED indicators flash from red to green once the controllers are fully charged. It’s basic, but it does the job. 


Microsoft Wireless Speed Wheel


Sure, there are more advanced steering wheel set-ups available, but if you’re looking for a game-changing accessory that won’t break the bank, check out the Microsoft Wireless Speed Wheel. It might look odd, but it’s highly responsive: using motion sensors to guide steering. Rumble feedback, D-pad navigation and trigger buttons to accelerate and brake mean it’s all you need to get enjoying games such as Forza Motorsport 4. It’s officially licensed too, so you know you’ll be getting top quality. 



Astro A40 Audio System and gaming headset


For gadget fans who take their gaming as seriously as their audio, the Astro A40 headset are some of the best gaming headset money can buy. Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound fit for an audiophile, noise cancelling microphone technology and an accompanying MixAmp Pro amp to tailor sound preferences delivers an unrivaled gaming audio experience. Don one of these and you’ll never go back to playing minus a headset ever again. At £220, they are pricey, but you get what you pay for. For a slightly more affordable, but still top-of-the-range alternative, also check out Tritton’s AX 720 headset.
It costs £100 less, also does Dolby 7.1 surround sound and creates a just as immersive aural experience. Just try playing horror game Dead Space 2 with one of these without flinching. Go on. We dare you.
Got a favourite gadget accessory you want for your Xbox 360 this festive season? Let us know about it in the Comments below.