The standard wired controller that ships with the  Xbox 360 can wear out after many hours of heavy use and play. Buttons can jam, analog sticks can stop working and you may need to think about replacing your tired Xbox 360 controller with a new one. By far, the most popular replacement controller is the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller.

The Xbox 360 Wireless Controller is a lot more convenient and natural to operate than the standard wired controller. No more wires and cables to get in your way. And you can more easily and naturally move about the room and stay focused on your game play with up to a 30 foot wireless range.

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Features

• Communicates with the Xbox console using 2.4GHz wireless technology with a 30-foot range
• You can play with up to four controllers simultaneously on one Xbox console
• Adjustable vibration feedback extends longer battery life
• Includes an integrated headset port for Xbox LIVE play
• Easy to use left and right shoulder buttons
• Xbox 360 Guide button lets you keep track of your friends, access games and media, and power your Xbox 360 console on and off

The Xbox 360 Wireless Controller promotes ultra high performance gaming. You can even plug the Xbox 360 Headset into the wireless controller for full two-way voice communication. This is an Xbox 360 gaming wireless first.

The controller is powered by two AA batteries, and can operate for up to 40 hours before a recharge is needed. The battery charge won’t last as long if you have the vibration feedback at full tilt. A vibration feedback control lets you adjust the level of vibration which helps extend the battery life.

The wireless controller has a battery charging unit on the inside, about the size of two AA batteries. The standard battery charger does not allow you to continue to use the wireless controller while the batteries are re-charging.

A separate “Play and Charge Kit” is available that does allow you to continue playing while you charge the batteries. As the batteries begin to run low, you’re given ample warning time so you can connect a “Play and Charge Kit” for uninterrupted play. With the separate “Play and Charge Kit” you plug the charger into the back of the wireless controller, and the other end attaches to the USB port located on the front of the Xbox 360 console.

For multi-user play, you’ll want to get your hands on more than one Xbox 360 wireless controller. You can play with up to four wireless controllers on one Xbox 360 console. These smaller, more compact controllers also help keep your gaming area free of clutter. Wireless controllers are definitely the way to go for multi-user gaming with your friends.

Available: Amazon

Price: $35.99 (Play and Charge Kit extra)

I am a gamer and I enjoy games, especially ones that involves car racing, hot wheels and police pursuit (come on, you know what game I mean). I usually play games on my computer or my laptop and the arrow keys are my main control keys. But, pressing up and down or left and right doesn’t really satisfy my need for more excitement in the game. That’s where Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Integral T500 comes in.

As most people know, Ferrari is a well know sports car manufacturer. The Trustmaster Ferrari F1 wheel integral T500 is designed to replicate F1 car power. Imagine yourself racing (via PC or game console of course) with a built-in industrial-class engine (150 mNm torque, 3000 rpm, 65 W, Ø 52) delivering force feedback effects that could can literally give you the realistic feeling of racing an actual car. Its designs and gadgets mimic the real deal and this may be as close as you get for most of us who can’t really afford a real Ferrari.

The wheel is also equipped with an internal dual belt that gives you the feel of flexibility and that smooth ride. If that isn’t enough, the wheel is also equipped with H.E.A.R.T. I don’t mean that the wheel is emotional, no. H.E.A.R.T stands for HallEffect AccuRate Technology providing you with precision in your steering. No more pressing up for acceleration, or pressing left and right to steer. The pure adjustable metal pedal and the smooth wheel of the Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Integral T500 will satisfy your need for speed.

Available: Amazon

Price: $159.99

In this century, with hectic schedule and technology advancement, it is important to have quality bonding time with you family and friends. Wouldn’t it be good if there is a fun activity that you do with them in the comfort of your own home or cafes – and learn about interesting facts at the same time?

The Guinness World Records Board Game could give you just the thing. The board game is built based on the Guinness World Record book- in case you are unsure about what the book is about, it is an annual arbiter of the fastest, longest, tallest and other strange superlatives.

The Guinness World Records Board Game like the name suggests is the board game version of the book – which calls for family and friends to attempt answers to absurd trivia. These trivia is the main selling point to make the Guinness the bestseller since the year 1955. Some of the question that may be attempted includes “how did Charlie bell move 37 pounds of maggot in one hour?”.

As you and your family (or friends) move about the board, all of you will have the chance to set some of your own records (within the household, or your circle of friends). Some examples of records that you may attempt include tying the most knots on a rope, placing the most dominoes on the edge, or even performing the chicken dance! The best part is that you do not have to look far for the tools for these records, as the rope and dominoes are included in the package.

This board game is suitable for children from 8 years of age onwards. The size of the game is 11” in height, 11” in width, and weighs 4 and a half pounds.

Available: Hammacher

Price: $39.95

Imagine my brother’s joy if I were to get him the Atari Arcade Duo-Powered Joystick for him this Christmas. It will definitely fit his iPad perfectly, which he got from our dad for his recent birthday. And this will surely compliment it perfectly.

My brother is an arcade gaming addict. He spends most of his waking hours at the arcade daily, and that was why our dad got him the iPad so that he would stay at home more often instead. And with me getting him this, he is surely to be staying put in the house all day long. This Atari Arcade Duo-Powered Joystick does provide the arcade-like experience with its joystick and four buttons. With these features, it allows the players to play classic arcade games such as the Centipede and Asteroids.

With the iPad comfortably resting on top and connecting to the joystick easily with the 30-pin connector of the iPad, players are good to start gaming their way. One good feature that the joystick has is that the iPad can be swap out freely from this device and no cabinet is needed especially for it. Hence, flexibility is at play here and added with some vintage feel of the real arcade gaming machine. The simple on/off switch on the side of this device also makes it easier to be operated.

Unfortunately for many of the gamers out there, there is currently no release date or any pricing information available for this awesome Atari device, but I am hoping to land my hands on it in time before Christmas. My brother will sure be jumping for joy when he sees this amazing piece!

[Source: Discovery Bay Games]

Remember the last time junior placed his thumb in his mouth just to try how dirt may taste? Kids are natural, curious beings and their learning experience has constantly been improved so that it could be made as engaging as possible. Coming in a form of a table, The U.S. Presidents Talking Game allows kids to not only learn through sight and sound but also by pushing the 44 buttons that represent the different U.S. presidents. Introducing their motor skills could further enhance their learning capabilities where they’ll be able to fully benefit from the whole learning process.

The table is designed in a way that kids are able to view the buttons at a glance with an easily accessible switch to toggle gaming modes from time to time. There are 4 game settings that are found on the portable tablet, allowing kids to master their own response to the different game modules. The different presidents are explored through trivia bites in the Fun Face mode.

Kids will learn about the notable details of each president and learn about their achievements in this mode. If kids are ready to proceed on to more serious facts, there’s also a mode which teaches them the birth dates, vice presidents and also first ladies of all the presidents. There will also be a Quiz mode to test your kid’s memory on the various facts they’ve learnt.

Overall, it’s an interactive game where parents may find themselves learning a new fact or two. And who knows, junior may also be inspired to run for the next presidential elections.

Available: Hammacher

Price: $39.95

The TV series Friends has forever changed the way that people look at foosball. It used to be really famous way back when but then the excitement petered off after a while. However, Chandler and Joey made it cool to enjoy foosball yet again. What if I told you that you can actually get a Foosball table with Gumball? Wouldn’t that be double the fun – especially those who love their sweets? The Gumball Foosball Table is an entirely new twist on the foosball revolution.

Of course, don’t expect to play a challenging game of foosball on this set because at 45”L X 29”W X 42 1/2”H, it is a tad smaller than other sets you find on the market. What makes up for the size though is that you can choose up to 1,700 gumballs of different varieties and flavours. Your kids will absolutely love you if you choose to purchase this for them.

If you are worried that they will be more absorbed with eating the gumballs than actually playing, the Gumball Foosball Table does come with a glass covering to prevent that from happening. You can purchase the Gumball Foosball Table at $1500 – well worth the price in terms of the entertainment and happiness it will bring to you.

I personally think that Foosball has never been as exciting or interesting as with the Gumball Foosball Table. Your kids – and the adults who have a sweet tooth – will be fighting to score goals on this set just to get gumballs galore!

Available: Hammacher

Price: $1500

If you love a game of darts but are unwilling to sacrifice the walls of your house, you will definitely be happy if someone were to buy you the Home Electronic Dart Arcade. I kid you not – something like this exists in this world and so everyone who loves darts can finally rejoice. There is now an easier way to enjoy this game without worrying about scarring the walls for life. All scores are tabulate electronically so there won’t even be those typical friendly arguments of who scored how many points.

The best thing about the Home Electronic Dart Arcade is that you can invite seven other dart lovers and have a go at it at any one time. Each section is carefully divided so that you won’t have the darts bouncing back in your direction (which is fun but sadly very dangerous as well). You can even program the dartboard according to the games and levels that you want. Each Home Electronic Dart Arcade comes with 24 internally built games and 132 different levels so the sky is the limit. You can have a different game every day and still won’t get enough of it after days or weeks of playing!

As I mentioned before, the scores are all counted electronically and are displayed on a board which is clearly seen even from up to 7 feet away. The Home Electronic Dart Arcade comes with six plastic tip darts but you are most welcome to buy more for your own entertainment.

Available: Hammacher

Price: $299.95

You know what is amazing in this world of ours? We can get beautifully crafted miniature games of real sports which we can enjoy in the comfort of our own home. Forget about games like foosball which are so yesterday. The in thing to enjoy now would be a game of bowling – right smack in the living room. If you think I am going balmy, have a look at this. The 8 Foot Tavern Bowling Game is exactly like that it says. It is fully automated and gives you the ultimate sensation of playing bowling in your house without the hassle of finding the right size shoes, which is a huge blessing in my book!

The rules are of course similar to regular bowling. All you need to do is push the steel puck down the lane and strike as many of the pins as possible. It is really miniature size. The fun is also in using the right amount of strength to get all ½ inch pins at one go. What I love about the 8 Foot Tavern Bowling Game though is the fact that it has internal mechanisms that automatically moves the pins once you have struck them down. How is that for an exact imitation of what goes on in bowling alleys around the world?

There are two speakers attached to this bowling game – one is 30 watt and the other 100 watts which is perfect for the commentary which goes on throughout the whole game. You also have a 27 inch LCD screen display which shows you just where you stand where scores are concerned. At $6000 a piece, it might not be within everyone’s budget. However, it still is an awesome way to spend a weekend with the family.

Available: Hammacher

Price: $6,000

Not everyone has to money to get a real Cessna 172 Skyhawk. Putting the price for the plane aside, we still have to cough out money to get the insurance, for maintenance, and for a place to park it. For all those who would like to have the experience of flying the plane but can’t afford it, here’s good news! Mad Catz has come out with a flight simulation for Cessna 172 Skyhawk.

The Saitek Cessna Skyhawk flight simulation controls will give you an almost real life experience of flying the plane. The controls include a Yoke, Rudder Pedals and Trim Wheel. All the controls are based on the real aircraft and will definitely give you the feeling of flying an actual plane (minus the noise and smell of planes). It’s so close to the real thing that flying schools could use it for training of the students.

When the weather doesn’t allow flight trainings, this device will be able to work as a replacement. It will help save a lot of money because if compared to the actual plane, the price of the Saitek Cessna Skyhawn flight simulator is insignificant. There’s no harm in case you crash too.

This device is most suitable for those flight simulation lovers who would like to experience real flying without having to pay $300,000 for the real plane. You can pilot the “plane” over and over again for as many times as you like, and you don’t even have to pay for the fuel.

[Source: Saitek]

For those into gaming, 2011 must be an exciting year for you. After all, with the advancements in technology, the whole gaming experience has taken a turn for the better with faster processing times and crystal clear graphics. So when Asus announced that they will be coming out with a new gaming laptop, the whole world waited with baited breath. Anticipation was high and rightly so for I can now tell you that the Asus G74SX is practically the bee’s knees when it comes to gaming laptops.

The Asus G74SX boasts a quad-core Intel Core i7 Processor which basically means that reaction and processing time is revolutionarily fast. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M graphics GPU ensures that graphics and images are virtually life like. You’ll feel as if you are in the game itself. And the GeForce GTX 560M GPU comes with 3 GB of GDDR5 memory. Incredible!

Not only that, you can opt for 3D display on this laptop as well. How’s that for an out of the world experience?

One main feature that gamers can look forward to is the laptop’s cooling technology. I don’t know how many times I have heard complaints from gamers that their laptops go bust earlier than they should just because of internal heating. Well, you definitely don’t have to worry about heat with the Asus G74SX because its cooling technology ensures that hot air is released from the rear of the laptop which alleviates potential damage due to overheating.

The Core i7 CPU and the GeForce GTX 560M GPU really do generate a lot of heat, so Asus really comes through with this innovative cooling technology to finally solve the heat problem so common with gaming laptops.

One thing that is really cool about the Asus G74SX is its overall classy finish, definitely better looking than most of the other gaming laptops. All in all, the Asus G74SX is set to blow past the competition.

And best of all, Asus packs all of this incredible gaming horsepower into the Asus G74SX for a screaming low price!

Available: TigerDirect

Price: $1299.99