E3 is all about the video games, but in addition to hot new titles, we also got a look at what accessory manufacturers have in the works this year. I spent a bit of time at the Nyko booth, and I checked out a number of peripherals for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 that are likely to fulfill certain users' charging needs. I also saw some other accessories that, depending on what you're looking for, may or may not be especially useful.
First off was the Xbox One Intercooler. Designed to keep the Xbox One from overheating, this peripheral snaps on to the top of the system and gives it a bulkier, albeit more techy, look. This cooling device plugs into a USB port, drawing power from the system. Of course, you have to wonder if the Xbox One really needs this particular device considering news of overheating consoles hasn't been particularly vast. In any case, the Xbox One Intercooler is due out this holiday season for $24.99.
Next in the lineup was the PlayStation 4 Intercooler. This cooling accessory is attached to the back of the system and is designed to circulate air through it smoothly and efficiently. Like the Xbox One Intercooler, the PlayStation 4 equivalent draws power from the console itself. Once again, whether or not this particular device will be useful to you really depends. It's set to launch this summer and will be priced at $24.99.
The most useful peripheral on hand was the Xbox One Modular Power Station. This slick attachment snaps to the side of the Xbox One and houses two rechargeable fuel cells, effectively charging them as you play and eliminating the need for pesky cables. The Modular Power Station fits the look of the Xbox One. It does expand the size of the console vertically, which could be a minor problem depending on your shelf space, but it at least looks like it's a part of the Xbox One. The accessory will be available this holiday season for $29.99.
Less useful but still kind of decent was the PlayStation 4 Modular Gear Kit. Since the DualShock 4 controllers are rechargeable themselves, all this attachment does is hold USB cables to charge the controllers, of which it includes two. It also includes a brush that can be used to clean the PlayStation 4. On account of its lower level of usefulness, the Modular Gear Kit is priced at $19.99, and it's also due out holiday 2014 .
If you do want something useful for your DualShock 4 controllers, however, perhaps the PlayStation 4 Power Pak is right for you. It's a battery pack that attaches to the back of the DualShock 4 and doubles its battery capacity. It has a charge port, which allows you to charge both the Power Pak and the controller simultaneously. It's a nice piece of equipment if you hate charging your controllers, but it does bulk up the DualShock 4 a bit and gets in the way of the ergonomic design just a tad. The Power Pak is available now for $24.99.
Keeping in line with game players' power needs, Nyko followed up by showing me the Power Grip Slim for the Vita. This add-on peripheral gives Sony's handheld a controller-like quality to it, adding grips and eliminating that familiar Vita design, which is hit or miss depending on your needs. It's not just about the controller look, though; the Power Grip Slim also doubles the battery capacity of the Vita, which could definitely be useful for long trips away from home. This device is also out now and is available for $24.99.
Last was the Media Remote for Xbox One. Simply put, this device is a remote control for your Xbox One. There's not much to it as it offers exactly what you'd expect from this sort of device. It'll power on your TV and Xbox One, and it features a full UI with menu navigation. It's compatible with Netflix, Hulu, and other services, though it's not compatible with YouTube for obvious reasons. The Media Remote will be out in July, and it'll sport a $14.99 price tag, $10 cheaper than Microsoft's remote.
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