My first gaming console was an SNES — that’s a Super Nintendo Entertainment System, for those who weren’t alive and thriving in the ’80s and ’90s. My sister and I loved that thing, and had we known better, we would’ve kept it. Instead, it went to my grandparents’ house when we upgraded to an N64, and after that, it disappeared into the forgotten-electronics void, probably ending up at one of my younger cousins’ houses.
Quick Overview
While I never actually received a gaming console for Christmas (at least not until this year, when Santa dropped something Atomic Purple under the tree) I’ve been gifted plenty over the years for birthdays, graduations, even as a wedding present. I’ve owned every mainstream Nintendo console, along with a PlayStation or two. Once you move beyond the console itself and the hundreds (sometimes thousands) of games, things add up fast: extra controllers, memory cards, headsets — that’s just the beginning. There are enough accessories to make your head spin.
While everyone’s gaming style is different (I used to haul my console around the neighborhood to friends’ houses, but now it never leaves the basement), to help you out a bit, I’ve put together a list of gaming accessory essentials, as well as a few nice-to-haves.
Extra controllers and remotes
If more than one person lives in your house, an extra controller becomes necessary immediately. As someone who has a spouse who’s more into video games than I am, couch co-op is still my favorite part of gaming.
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The N64 was the first console I had that offered a third-party controller option. I’m sure there were good ones out there, but the one that I bought was always reserved for whoever we liked the least. I mean, it was awful. Ever since then, I’ve just gone ahead and bought first-party controllers, whether for the PS5, like this one, or the Xbox.
Nintendo
The last time I bought a Nintendo Switch, I didn’t even bother to see if we would need the Pro Controller; I just bought two, knowing they would be used. I like the Joy-Cons for handheld play, but I’m just too used to the regular-controller feel at this point to use anything other than the Pros when I’m in front of the TV.
Charging dock or rechargeable battery pack
No one enjoys hunting for AA batteries mid-game (kind of a late-90s or early 2000s problem, but you get what I mean). A dock keeps controllers charged and ready without thinking about it.
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This is a cool-looking dock that makes charging your controllers second nature, and gives them a nice home when you’re not gaming (this is for the PS5, but similar charging stations for Switch 2 and Xbox are available). If you’d rather not dock ’em at all, a battery charging station like this one is another great option — just swap and keep playing.
Nintendo
This does exactly what it promises: charges your Joy-Cons while you play, just like the console does when it’s handheld.
Gaming headset
Whether you’re chatting with friends during a game of Fortnite or getting fully immersed in whatever world you’re exploring, a decent headset can completely change how games feel. You don’t need pro-level gear — just something comfortable that sounds good. Here are a few solid options: platform-specific, premium and budget (the last one’s my favorite).
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If you’re looking for everything PlayStation, this is the headset you’ll want. While it does come with a higher price tag than some headsets, it also comes with the peace of mind that it’ll just work with your PS5.
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This was judged the best gaming headset by our friends over at Engadget. Here’s what they had to say:
“If you do want a dedicated gaming headset with a built-in mic, we love the Turtle Beach Atlas Air. It’s a bit of a rarity: a wireless model with an open-back design. It sounds much wider, airier and more natural than the vast majority of its peers as a result, creating the sensation that your game is happening around you instead of feeling confined in your head. It’s also better than most at positioning in-game effects in the right places.”
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I have a lot of headsets, so many that the thought of buying another made me pause. Technically, that decade-old pair of Apple EarPods will do the job when it comes to plugging into your controller and being able to hear what’s going on, but for under $30, these are a significant upgrade, offering a more comfortable fit and the option to play wired or wireless.
Storage expansion
Modern games are massive and console storage fills up fast. Adding space early saves you from constantly deleting and reinstalling games later.
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The Switch 2 is compatible with microSD Express cards only (up to 2 TB in size), which means any microSD Express card meeting those specs will do.
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While you can’t play PS5 games from an external drive, you can play PS4 games from one, which then frees up the internal solid state drive for any new PS5 games. This is the officially licensed drive, but any SSD that meets Sony’s specs will do.
HDMI 2.1 cable
If your console and TV support it, this unlocks smoother gameplay and better visuals than that HDMI cable that’s been sitting in your TV stand’s drawer since 2009. It’s a small upgrade that you’ll appreciate every time you play.
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That HDMI cable you grabbed from the dollar store in 2009? It’s probably the bottleneck in your system. This fan-favorite moves data faster than a film reel in an IMAX booth — we’re talking up to 10K video.
Nice-to-have gaming accessories
Depending on how you use your new console, you might want some other add-ons, like steering wheels for the racers out there, carrying cases if you plan on traveling (or even bringing the console over to your friends’ houses to show off) or grips that make controllers even more comfortable.
Racing Wheels
Media remotes
Controller comfort accessories
Carrying cases and screen protectors
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.