By James Yu - posted August 23, 2006

　　Microsoft has opened the German Games Convention with several new desktop PC peripherals announcements and additional details about Xbox 360 accessories announced earlier this year. We've put together a list of all the accessories to get you up to date on the hardware Microsoft is planning to release through the end of 2006.

　　On the Xbox 360 front, Microsoft revealed pricing and launch information for several Xbox 360 accessories including the Wireless Racing Wheel, the Xbox Live Vision Camera, and the Wireless Headset.

　　

Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel

Microsoft is touting the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel as one of the first racing wheels to be manufactured by a first party in the modern console era, which is an important point because racing game developers will be able to design for a standard wheel on the 360. The wireless wheel features full rumble while in wireless mode, but, as with other racing wheels, you'll need to plug the unit into a wall outlet to power force feedback support. The wheel will be available this November for $149.99, and it'll be bundled with a limited edition force feedback version of Project Gotham Racing 3.

　　

Xbox Live Vision Camera

We've already gone hands-on with the Xbox Live Vision Camera, but Microsoft has kept the final pricing information secret until now. Microsoft will ship the Vision in two different packages. The first package, at $39.99, will include the Vision camera, a headset, a one-month Xbox Live Gold subscription, and two Vision-enabled Xbox Live Arcade games: Uno and TotemBall. The second bundle, for $79.99, will include the Vision camera, a headset, a full-year Xbox Live Gold subscription, 200 Microsoft Points, and three Xbox Live Arcade games including Uno, TotemBall, and Robotron: 2084.

　　

Xbox 360 Wireless Headset

The Xbox 360 wireless controller becomes a lot more cumbersome once you have to tether yourself to a headset cable for voice chat, but Microsoft will be happy to provide you with a wireless Xbox 360 headset to solve that problem. The wireless headset has a built-in transmitter that allows it to communicate directly with the Xbox 360 console without going through the controller. Microsoft has also outfitted the wireless headset with improved microphone and speaker components to improve audio fidelity. The headset will arrive in November for $59.99.

　　

Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player

The Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player will let Xbox 360 owners use the console to playback HD-DVD movies. The player will read the HD-DVD and send data to the console, where it will be processed and sent out to the HD display though the normal Xbox 360 component or VGA video cables. To make up for the USB port the player will occupy on the console, the drive will have two USB ports that can be used just like ports on the console itself. Microsoft hasn't announced the release date or final pricing for the player yet, but the add-on will be less expensive than a stand-alone HD-DVD player since it can use the console for all the video-processing work.

　　

Xbox 360 Holiday 2006 Faceplates

Those tired of looking at that same old Xbox 360 will have three new official Microsoft faceplate options to choose from this November. The selection includes Halo Master Chief, Viva Piñata, and Forza Motorsport 2. You'll be able to give that iconic inhale a new face for just under $20.

　　What accessories are you most excited about? What accessories do you want Microsoft to develop for the PC and Xbox 360?

　　Microsoft has opened the German Games Convention with several new desktop PC peripherals announcements and additional details about Xbox 360 accessories announced earlier this year. We've put together a list of all the accessories to get you up to date on the hardware Microsoft is planning to release through the end of 2006.

　　Microsoft is backing up its new Games for Windows initiative with some new gaming hardware including one new mouse, one old mouse, and a wireless gaming receiver that will let wireless Xbox 360 peripherals work on the PC.

　　

Habu Mouse

The Habu mouse, hinted at in the Microsoft notfornoobs.com teaser site, combines the MS mouse design with Razer gaming technology. Following the Razer tradition of naming new mice after venomous snakes, Microsoft named the Habu after a species of pit viper found in Japan. The USB mouse features a 2,000dpi laser sensor, 1GHz polling, seven customizable buttons, onboard memory for configuration saves, and an extra-thin cable that won't push around the mouse. Unique features include blue-lit glowing side rails and two interchangeable side button panels for extra customization. The mouse will be available in October 2006 with a hefty $69.95 price tag. Not for noobs, indeed.

　　

IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0

If "New Coke" had a mousing analog, the IntelliMouse Explorer 4.0 would be a likely candidate. PC gaming fans of the previous Explorer 3.0 model loved its shape and tracking ability, but Microsoft ruined the 4.0 mouse revision for PC gaming by introducing a new tilt scrollwheel. The tilting ability didn't really interfere with gaming, but the new wheel lacked the all-important dentents, small wheel notches, that provide tactile feedback for precision scrolling. Having a smooth wheel is great for desktop use, but it'll get you killed pretty quickly in any game that uses the wheel for weapon selection. Microsoft is bringing the original IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 out of retirement just for the gamer set with a $39.95 price this October.

　　

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows

The wired Xbox 360 controllers worked with PC desktops right at launch, but Microsoft needed more time to develop the wireless gaming receiver that will make wireless Xbox 360 peripherals compatible with the PC. The wireless controller for the PC is exactly the same as the Xbox 360's wireless controller--just follow the usual controller-sync procedure to get the gamepad working with a PC desktop or the 360 console. The $59.95 controller package, shipping in December, will include the wireless Xbox 360 gamepad and the wireless gaming receiver. The receiver, available separately for $19.99, will let you use other wireless 360 accessories on the PC such as the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel and the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset.

　　What accessories are you most excited about? What accessories do you want Microsoft to develop for the PC and Xbox 360?