Summary
- Gaming accessories can enhance gameplay, comfort, and health during extended play sessions.
- Accessory options range from car mounts for gaming on the go to ergonomic joy-cons for hand comfort.
- Utilizing the right accessories can transform your gaming experience and support better posture and comfort.
The gaming industry isn’t just packed with epic, visually stunning, and highly engaging games, it also offers a wide range of accessories designed to level up your experience. From ergonomic controllers to custom keyboards, the right tools can make gaming more enjoyable and even support better health during extended play sessions.
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Of course, not every accessory lives up to the hype. Some are little more than flashy gimmicks or overpriced cash grabs. But a well-made, thoughtfully designed piece of gear can genuinely transform your gameplay, making it more comfortable, more responsive, and a lot more fun.
10 Switch Headrest Mount
Save Your Sanity On Road Trips
Road trips have a magical way of turning initial excitement into mind-numbing boredom somewhere around hour two. The snacks are gone, the playlist’s on its third loop, and the GPS still says “six hours to go.” It’s the perfect time to break out the Nintendo Switch and transform the backseat into a makeshift gaming lounge.
While handheld mode works in a pinch, a Switch car mount takes things to a whole new level, especially when it comes to multiplayer chaos or keeping passengers of all ages happily distracted. No more neck craning, console juggling, or losing a Joy-Con between the seats. Just mount the screen, sync the controllers, and let the games roll. Suddenly, your biggest concern isn’t boredom, it’s who just blue-shelled you on Rainbow Road.
9 Onimusha 3 Katana Controller
One With Your Blade
Onimusha 3: Demon Siege is a standout title in the series, but what really turned heads at launch was its wild collectible accessory: the Katana Controller. This 3-foot-long (yes, foot, not inch) sword-shaped DualShock controller featured all the standard buttons, but the real magic happened when you started swinging.
The controller translates your sword movements directly into the game, letting your in-game character mimic your actions. Sure, it was a bit of a workout (and wildly impractical for anything but Onimusha), but it transformed gameplay into a full-blown samurai fantasy. Immersive? Absolutely. Ergonomic? Not even a little. But if you’ve ever dreamed of slicing through demons with a sword in hand while sitting on your couch, the Katana Controller is the ultimate way to live out your bushido dreams.
8 Nintendo Switch Keyboard
PC Meets Handhelds
The Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 offer amazing versatility, letting you hop between handheld and docked modes like a true gaming chameleon. But why stop at two ways to play when you can have three?
Since the Switch was not created with a keyboard in mind, not all games will be compatible with a mouse and keyboard.
Some games, especially ones involving chat, commands, or anything requiring more than frantic button mashing, are just better with a keyboard. I, at least, don’t fancy typing out a novel-length message in Animal Crossing with my tiny Joy-Cons. Thankfully, there are plenty of keyboard options for the Switch, from full-sized wired beasts to a wireless chatpad and even one-handed mini keyboards. They offer more customization and sturdier builds. Bonus: you’ll finally stop rage-typing with your thumbs like you’re sending an angry text in 2007.
7 Game Boy Pocket Sonar
Take A Look Under The Sea
If you enjoy fishing and still have your old Game Boy lying around, it might be time to reel in one of the weirdest accessories ever made: the Pocket Sonar. And that’s saying a lot. After all, this is the same console that once had a sewing machine attachment and platform shoes with built-in Game Boy storage. Yes, really.
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The Pocket Sonar comes with a bright yellow foam buoy that connects to your Game Boy via a special cartridge. Fire it up, and you’d get a live sonar readout right on your screen, perfect for spotting fish like a true retro angler. As a bonus, the cartridge also featured a fish encyclopedia so you could ID your catch in the field like a pixel-powered marine biologist. The wildest part? It actually worked, detecting fish up to 65 feet underwater. The only catch (besides the ones you’re after) is that it was only released in Japan.
6 Hit Box Arcade Controller
It’s A Critical Hit!
Fighting games were born in the glow of arcade cabinets, and the genre still proudly wears that legacy like a black belt. While most titles today run just fine on PC or console, there’s something about classic arcade-style controls that just feels right, especially when you’re in full-on button-mash mode and praying for a combo.
The Hit Box Arcade Controller is modular, giving you the ability to replace components as they wear out rather than buying a whole new controller.
Enter the Hit Box Arcade Controller, one of the most unique controllers on the market (and no, we’re not counting the Power Glove… mostly). Instead of joysticks, it features a minimalist box design with buttons for each finger, using Simultaneous Opposite Cardinal Directions (SOCD) controls. This setup allows for lightning-fast inputs and advanced tactics that traditional stick setups can’t match. In fact, SOCD-style controllers have become a staple at competitive fighting game tournaments.
5 Donkey Kong Bongo Controller
Rhythym To The Max
There’s no shortage of wild novelty controllers out there, from the aforementioned Onimusha Katana controller to Resident Evil’s infamous chainsaw and even the smiling Dragon Quest Slime. But few are as delightfully ridiculous (and oddly versatile) as the Donkey Kong Bongos.
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Originally created for the Donkey Konga rhythm games and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, the controller features two bongo drums you smack with your hands. Nestled between them is a sound sensor that registers claps, turning your living room into a percussive jungle jam session.
While they were designed for rhythm games, the bongos have gone on to gain cult status among challenge-seeking gamers. Thanks to their compatibility with standard GameCube ports, you can technically use them to play almost anything, including absurd feats like beating Sekiro using only bongos.
4 Joystick Covers
Simple Yet Effective
Sometimes the most beloved accessory is also the simplest. It’s no secret that gaming can get intense, especially during boss fights, and sweaty hands are part of the territory. Unfortunately, that sweat can turn your thumbsticks into slippery little landmines. Over time, all that frantic action also wears down the joysticks themselves.
Enter joystick covers. These small but mighty add-ons either replace the default caps or slip over them, giving you better grip, improved control, and even a bit of sweat protection. Some are designed with extra texture for traction, while others just look cool because, let’s be honest, sometimes style points matter just as much as performance. With tons of designs and colors to choose from, you can match your mood, your setup, or just show off your love for cats, skulls, or pixel art mushrooms.
3 Head Tracking For PC Gaming
The Bridge Between Flat Gaming And VR
Ever wanted to fully immerse yourself in a game without shelling out for a VR headset… or dealing with the headaches and vertigo that sometimes come with one? Good news: head tracking for PCs is a thing, and it’s a surprisingly cool alternative.
There are two main types of head tracking accessories: those that sit on your headset and sensors that sit on your monitor and track your movements using infrared technology.
Head tracking accessories work by following your head movements and translating them into in-game camera control, essentially replacing your mouse for looking around. It’s a great way to boost immersion in games like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Construction Simulator, or Star Wars: Squadrons.
Plus, beyond the immersion factor, head tracking can be a game-changer (literally) for disabled gamers, making it easier and more accessible to enjoy their favorite titles without extra strain. It’s like getting a taste of VR without the price tag or motion sickness.
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That’s where vertical console stands come in. These mounts attach to your console, letting you stand it upright without fear of it toppling over. Not only does this save precious shelf space, but it also frees up room for controller docks, game cases, and maybe even a decorative figurine or two.
2 Touchscreen Gaming Controls
Don’t Swipe Left On This
Mobile gaming has come a long way from the pixelated days of Snake and the candy-matching chaos of Candy Crush. These days, thanks to cloud gaming with titles like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves, you can dive into massive, console-quality adventures from your phone or tablet.
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But let’s be honest… touchscreen controls weren’t exactly made for precision combat or navigating sprawling open worlds. That’s where mobile gaming accessories come in. From full controller mounts that snap onto your phone to compact joysticks that stick to the screen, there’s a wide range of options depending on your gaming style. Many are even ergonomically designed, which means fewer hand cramps and more time grinding for loot.
1 Over-The-Top Gaming Chair
Where Comfort And Posture Meet
Unless you’re playing Pokemon GO, chances are you’re planted firmly in one spot while gaming and, depending on the game, you might be there for hours. That’s where a good gaming chair comes in. Not only does it keep you comfortable during marathon sessions, but it also helps prevent the dreaded “gamer hunch” that leaves you walking like a question mark.
Gaming chairs come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of “I take this very seriously.” Some offer just the essentials: solid lumbar and neck support with a cushy seat. Others go full sci-fi command center with built-in surround sound speakers, vibration feedback, control panels, seat warmers, and even cupholders. It’s hard to beat a full cockpit environment while gaming… all while keeping your back intact.
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