The Game's Afoot

The holidays are all about entertainment. But in the tech world, gaming is a serious business, and gamers are looking at cutting-edge (and high priced) systems along with some seriously awe-inspiring components.

CyberPower Gamer Infinity 1950
While most blow-'em-away gaming systems are well beyond most budgets, there are exceptions to every rule. We found one at CyberPower -- appropriately called the Gamer Infinity 1950.

CyberPower Gamer Infinity 1950 Click image for image gallery.

It offers an Intel Core 2 Quad QX6700 processor (originally rated at 2.67 GHz but tweaked to a somewhat more exciting 3.46 GHz) that's capped with a Cooler Master water-cooling kit for temperature control, and endowed with a pair of ATI Radeon X1950 XTX graphics cards. Aside from being blindingly fast, it's also whisper quiet. In fact, you won't even hear your bank account whimper, because the $3,499 system includes a ViewSonic 19-inch wide screen LCD display and all the amenities you'll need for regular computing as well. That's a bargain among gamers.

Nintendo Wii
If you're just looking for a game console and not a computer, turn your attention to the Nintendo's Wii ($250). Wii? With the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on the market? Yes, Wii. If you put aside the various problems Sony's new PS3 has had (including difficulty in accommodating legacy games, and a resolution glitch that affects its interaction with "older" HDTVs) , you just have to look at the near 2:1 price advantage the Wii enjoys.

And this new gaming system doesn't only offer a simplified control that even somebody over 14 can understand, but it's got another (probably unintended) benefit: Because the Wii controller requires that you stand up and actually move, physically mimicking the things you want to do in the game, Wii may signify the end to coach potato kids and paunchy adults.

		The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide
		•  Introduction •  Gettin' Tuneful •  Video To Go •  Video To Stay •  E-Wearables •  The Game's Afoot •  Photographica •  Camcorder Heaven •  On The Road •  Off The Wall
		•  Image Gallery

Saitek Gamers Keyboard
Of course, whether computer or console, you’ll need all the gaming gear typical to the art form. Saitek’s backlighted Gamers Keyboard ($60) is, arguably, at the top of the keyboard heap. Put aside the glitter of the adjustable backlight and you still have a programmable command pad to customize for all your games.

Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard
The Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard ($100) is also a worthy keyboard; one of its niftier features is a small, foldaway LCD display panel for information read-outs if your game supports it.

Saitek Pro Gamer Command Unit
All right, you already have a keyboard you like using. How about a command pad? It’s going to be tough to beat Saitek’s Pro Gamer Command Unit ($40). With 20 buttons, a shift key, and three possible modes, the Pro Gamer provides 144 programmable commands. And don’t forget the backlighting.

Saitek Cyborg Evo Wireless
Joysticks are the easy way into gaming and there are a ton of them out there. Picking the best of the bunch without spending hours and hours of seat time with each of them in hand was tough. I finally settled on Saitek’s Cyborg Evo Wireless joystick ($60) as the top dog. It has a rapid-fire trigger, five fire buttons, an eight-way "point-of-view" hat switch, and a 3D twist for rudder control. As well, Saitek promises 50 hours of play from a single alkaline battery.

		Honorable Mention: Logitech Freedom 2.4 Cordless Joystick Like the Cyborg Evo, the Logitech Freedom 2.4 Cordless Joystick ($70) also leaves you wireless. It has an impressive array of buttons and switches to accommodate your gaming needs -- ten programmable buttons plus a metal trigger, eight-way hat switch, twist handle, and a throttle. The real telling factor, however, is that the Cyborg Evo just looks mean -- and we all know that’s an immediate ten percent advantage in gaming.

Logitech G25 Racing Wheel
Driving with a joystick is a pain. However, NASCAR and, yes, even F1 fans are in luck -- they can give the Logitech G25 Racing Wheel ($300) a spin. Once you get over the sticker shock, you’ll probably find the hand-stitched leather-covered (I don’t know if its Corinthian or not) steering wheel gets you as close to a real racing experience as you can get without paying exorbitant insurance rates. The G25 has a dual motor-driven force-feedback feature, a six-speed shifter (also leather wrapped), and stainless steel accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals.

Saitek P440 Force FeedbackWheel
You can save a pile of cash with Saitek’s P440 Force Feedback Wheel ($80). It offers four wheel-mounted thumb buttons, a rapid gearshift, non-slip rubber grips, and a secure clamping mechanism. The main downside is that it’s a bit more gamish than the G25, with only two pedals and no leather anywhere to be found.

In either case, remember that both of these are force-feedback wheels. If you slam into the wall at turn three doing 160mph, you’ll see it happen on screen, you’ll hear the crash through your speakers, and you’ll definitely feel it in your hands.

CH Products Flight Sim Yoke Click image for image gallery.

CH Products Flight Sim Yoke
Of course, if you’re pilot-minded, you should probably give a lot of consideration to CH Products' Flight Sim Yoke ($150). This USB device features five buttons and two toggle switches (should you need that many), and three programmable throttles mounted on the top right side of the yoke itself. (It’s a trimmed-down version of CH’s >Throttle Quadrant.) CH Products has an industrial division that makes these things for real -- as a result, the game side may be scaled back a bit but the quality is top-notch.

Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2
Not to forget game consoles, we give the top nod to the Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2 game controller ($40). Let's face it -- wireless is in and 2.4-GHz is where it's at. If a 30-foot range and a promised 100 hours of battery life isn't enough, there's always the thrill as the dual motor-driven force-feedback courses through your hands. The Rumblepad 2 features programmable action buttons, plus Mode and Vibration selectors, and 8-way D-pad analog control. Software is included to help customize buttons, and you can download game profiles, assign shift-button options, and more

		Honorable Mention: Saitek P2900 For $10 less, there’s Saitek’s P2900 Wireless Pad game controller ($30). It has a promised 50 hours of battery life, with a battery power indicator -- just in case. It also has a 30-foot range and features four quick-fire shoulder triggers, eight-way D-pad, six thumb buttons, and two analog joysticks with built-in buttons.

--Bill O'Brien