PlayStation 3

One thing to keep in mind when buying a gift for your favorite PS3 gamer: don’t buy them a new Sixaxis controller unless specifically instructed to do so.  Sony is releasing a new version (called the Dualshock 3) in early 2008 that will offer force feedback which means many PS3 gamers are going to want to replace their current controllers with the newer, rumbling models in a matter of months.  Overseas online vendors like PlayAsia.com are already selling the already-released Japanese version, but rumble support for US titles is sketchy, and you’ll end up spending around $70 with shipping for something that probably won’t arrive in time for the Holidays. 

PlayStation Eye - $40

Sony’s new camera is a big improvement over the popular Eye Toy: it has relatively high resolution, features 4 microphones which allow you to communicate in online games without a headset, is supported by awesome (not to mention free!) video editing software called Eye Create, and is designed to work well in a wide variety of environmental conditions.  What’s more, Sony is supporting the Eye with a variety of inexpensive software available via PlayStation Network, making this one of the coolest gifts you can give any PlayStation gamer this year.     

+ Easy to use, feature rich, and supported by a wealth of software

- Audio and video quality when chatting aren’t as crisp as you would hope, but is a big improvement over the Eye Toy 

Conclusion:  Sony’s new camera peripheral has something cool to offer most any PS3 owner. 

Blu-Ray Remote Control - $25

Since Sony went with Blue-Tooth controls, universal remotes are sadly not an option for PS3 owners who watch movies on their PS3.  Considering how cumbersome the standard Sixaxis controls are when watching a film, the Remote Control is a great gift for anyone who is interested in taking advantage of their console’s numerous entertainment applications.  Although the layout of the remote isn’t as intuitive as some would have liked, it’s still an important addition to a PS3 owner’s home entertainment system. 

+ Superior alternative to the standard controller when watching movies or browsing media

- A little bit more difficult to use than the average remote due shared buttons between the remote and the Sixaxis controller

Conclusion: PS3 owners who enjoy taking advantage of their console’s multimedia features will appreciate this peripheral, which gets the job done despite a few confusing design choices.