When you purchase your first Xbox 360, you get more than just the ability to play hundreds of games and access to more jaw-dropping graphics and amazing audio, you also get a high-tech controller, extra cables, and often several free games. More often than not these little extras make for an enjoyable purchase. Some things, though, that can improve your gaming experience, like the television – high def is recommended – don’t come in the box.

Remember, though, that the television is not the be-all and end-all of the Xbox 360 accessories. You also have numerous first and second party accessories for your Xbox, many of which can enhance the gaming experience and help you expand on your console’s capabilities. (Do keep in mind that third-party accessories are made by other companies, and some false claims may cause buyers to spend money on products that don’t work properly.) Here, then, are the must haves for the Xbox 360.

The first thing to buy are some extra controllers, especially if you’re interested in playing games with a multiplayer option, like Halo 3 or Gears of War 2. The box only comes with one controller, even though the Xbox 360 can let you play with up to three friends at the same time. You have your choice of controllers, either wired or wireless.

When choosing from among many choices of controllers, always opt for the first-party products since these carry the assurance of quality from the manufacturer. Third-party controllers are also good except that you might not have the benefit of durability. And it pays to choose the original Xbox 360 controllers in either black or white for two reasons – it is built to last and it is compatible with MS Windows computers.

2) Next, you should buy a universal remote for the Xbox 360. It will contribute greatly to your gaming experience with a console-DVD player. Some games can even be played by remote alone. You can also play DVD movies and music CDs on the Xbox 360, not to mention being able to control other home appliances like the television and a Window Media Center enabled computer.

3) Third, you should get an Xbox 360 Messenger Kit which will allow online messaging with fellow gamers. Some come with a headset that allows you to chat over Xbox Live as well as working with Windows-based PCs. Another bonus is the ability to use the headset when playing games with voice recognition support, all of which will enhance your gaming experience.

Some other accessories for the Xbox 360 you might want to consider are the Wireless Gaming Receiver, which allows you to use your wireless accessories, such as a headset, controllers, and steering wheels on a Windows-enabled computer as well as your console, and the Quick Change Kit that lets you charge two battery packs. Just keep in mind what you need and what you’ll get the most use out of when buying Xbox 360 accessories.

In conclusion, Xbox 360 accessories will greatly enhance the gaming experience if you choose it to suit your needs, and not anyone else’s. And remember, it’s always better to buy Microsoff and Microsoft endorsed products, if only to be on the safe side.

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Searching for a Xbox 360 game can be a little bit tough, because of the amount of titles that are piled on retail shelves daily. The reason there are so many titles on the shelf for Xbox is because they were the pioneer of the seventh generation gaming consoles that were released. The newest games that come out for the Xbox 360 are almost $60 no matter what the title is. So instead of going out and blowing your money on a cool game that looks awesome on the box, you should consider these titles.

One of the top games last year based on reviews from very well known gaming sites was Fallout 3. Fallout 3 was developed by the same company that made Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and is an engrossing action role-playing game with post World War II setting. The Character leveling system, unreal graphics, and open-ended game play earned Fallout 3 some of the highest marks last year from reviewing sites. So if you were an Elder Scrolls IV fan you will definitely be a fan of Fallout 3.

In 2008, Grand Theft Auto IV was given several “game of the year” awards for its lasting game play, and excellent presentation. GTA IV was one of the most highly anticipated and also highly contested games of the year because of its graphic nature. But we can assure you that this game is one of the best of the year, and even has an extra episode that you can download via Xbox Live, with more due later this year.

If you prefer treating yourself in a darker atmosphere, consider playing Dead Space. Dead Space is recognized by reviewers as the “World’s Scariest Game”. That should be more than enough to buy this thrilling third-person shooter.

There are also third-person shooters that are not as scary, but just as good with Gears of War 2 being one of the best. Not only is the single player experience good, but the multiplayer feature allows you to play with 9 others. Gears of War 2 also won a few awards as well making this a must-have in your game collection.

If you are looking for a more economically sound game, then Evolved 2 is the best on the list. Because it is an Xbox Live arcade title you can pick it up in stores for quite a bit less than your normal brand new titles. Evolved 2 were praised as the best arcade title out there at the time of its release leaving no doubt that it’s worth the money.

Although a bit more expensive than most of the Xbox Live games out there Braid is a great one to have. This is a puzzle game that will stimulate your mind, and make you think a little bit in a fun fashion. The musical score and the story line were very highly recommended and will make your gaming experience one to remember.

Making sure that you know what you are looking for in a game will help you tremendously to find a game that will satisfy your gaming needs. It may not seem like it would be that hard to find one, but go check out your local electronics store, and see how many titles fit what you want, and it will become clear.

Even before we spend any money on games and accessories for the Xbox 360, it is already a substantial expense. Fortunately though, once we start becoming heavily involved in all our favorite games, most of us forget all about the initial cost, at least until such time that something goes wrong with the system and it breaks down. If it’s still under warranty then of course we can at least return it to the supplier for repairs. Even so, when one considers just how long such repairs can take, a break down of your system could spell disaster for your gaming inexperience. Of course, if you still have to fork out money for the repairs then the situation is even worse.

Xbox 360 systems are different than standard gaming desktops because they do not have as much cooling features as the gaming systems. Heat is your major enemy here and heat can produce really quickly after several hours of gaming. But you can prolong the life of your Xbox 360 if you follow these basic Xbox 360 maintenance tips.

Of course, one of the best ways to ensure your system doesn’t overheat is to regulate your gaming hours. Those of you who play the Xbox Live Arcade games need not be overly concerned with regards to the system overeating, as those games are not particularly demanding. On the other hand 3D high definition games take full advantage of the Xbox 360’s power. Those who play these games should always take short breaks, even if only for 30 minutes.

If taking breaks is too difficult for you, at least play in a cooler environment so your Xbox 360 doesn’t heat up as much. Full air-conditioning is the way to go, but if you can’t install one, at least keep an electric fan point towards your system to ensure that the sensitive components don’t get much heat exposure.

Even during those rare moments when you have your system turned off, you should still make sure that your Xbox 360 is not exposed to excessive dust or direct sunlight, in order to ensure that the next time you sit down for gaming session you won’t be interrupted by any red ring errors. Furthermore it is pointless to turn on your Xbox 360 in the event that it is already warm due to a high room temperature.

There are a few 3rd party accessories that claim to fix the heating problems by cooling the components in a more direct fashion. While these “cooling accessories” appear to fix the problem, they also obtain their power source directly from the Xbox 360 so if you overuse these accessories, problems may arise including red ring issues. Avoid using these accessories unless you find one that is licensed by Microsoft or uses an external power source.

While many people are wary of taking a gaming system with them when they travel, it can be done providing you exercise a certain amount of caution. For example, unless you use a proper Xbox 360 carry case, your console should not be carried in an upright position so as to avoid any damaging collisions. If you do use a proper case then of course you should always ensure that the case is adequately secured before you head out.

The latest Xbox 360 systems are less likely to cause red ring errors because of their updated motherboards, but you should still take good care of your system nevertheless. This will let you game whenever you need to without interruptions.