Quirky Video Game Accessories Lost in Time

Videogames games today are in a great place. There is something for everyone. There are also loads of options to play those game in the way players want, whether one plays with a traditional controller, mouse and keyboard, or special controllers like the Elite series and the various modular ones available. Things are taken a step further with VR and AR games with specialized equipment. Amidst this abundance of options, it is important that we reflect on the industry's continuous pursuit of innovation throughout its history.

When we chronicle the hardware releases and their accompanying accessories, we can see that there exists a treasure trove of forgotten accessories that once promised to revolutionize gaming but have since faded into obscurity. Here is a look at some of those accessories.

The Super Scope (SNES)

The Nintendo Zapper was a revolutionary accessory back in the day. A light gun synonymous with games like the iconic Duck Hunt. The Super Scope was Nintendo’s follow up to the Zapper in their quest to make in bigger and better.

This wireless accessory came in the form of a bazooka, complete with a scope that can be fitted to the left or right, and ergonomically placed buttons. The accessory came with six free games included, but there was an extended library of games that were compatible with the Super scope.

Sega Menacer (Sega Genesis/MegaDrive)

Not wanting to be outdone by rivals Nintendo, Sega launched their own version of the larger-than-life light gun in the form of the Sega Menacer. Although Sega’s take on the accessory was relatively smaller in size, it made for it with its futuristic looks.

The wireless gun came with dual scopes and attachments for shoulder. Like the super scope, this too was sold with six free games in a single cartridge, with more compatible games available.

The EyeToy (PS2)

The Nintendo Wii deservedly gets a lot of credit for pioneering Motion gaming and the Xbox Kinect gets a lot of flak for the same. But it was the PlayStation 2 that first brought motion gaming to the masses in a meaningful way, in the form of the EyeToy. Essentially a camera that plugs to the PS2, it put the player in the game environment, who can then interact with the onscreen elements as seen on their TV.

This was a great novelty at the time, one that blew people’s minds when they first saw and experienced it. PlayStation continued the camera accessories for the PS3 and PS4, but they mostly served different functions, and failed to deliver the excitement the EyeToy had brought us in the PS2 era.

Gameboy Camera and Printer (Nintendo Gameboy)

Perhaps what inspired the EyeToy is this quirky accessory for the Gameboy Handheld which one can argue is the world’s first selfie camera. Back when cameras on handheld hardware was too much to fathom, Nintendo released the Gameboy camera and Printer. It was a low-resolution camera accessory that allowed users to take monochromatic photos with their handheld console.

The Game Boy Printer could then print these images on thermal paper. This quirky combination turned the Game Boy into a portable photography and printing device. The low-fi aesthetic and the ability to link the Game Boy with friends for photo exchange made it a unique and entertaining accessory.

Sony PlayStation Pocket Station

Servicing as both a memory card for the PlayStation One and as a standalone handheld gaming device at the same time, the PlayStation Pocket Station is perhaps the most unique device on this list. The device took some obvious inspirations from the then rival Sega Dreamcast’s VMU unit, but it had its own unique functions. The pocket station was versatile in that every playable game in it had a different approach.

There were Final Fantasy games that let you train chocobos on the pocketstation and level them up, and then transfer that data to the main game on the PSOne. There were even miniature versions of full games with some titles. Despite being a niche product and having released only in Japan, the Pocket Station still had over 200 playable games.

Sega Activator (Sega Genesis/MegaDrive)

The EyeToy may have brought motion gaming successfully, but the concept of playing through real world actions seems to have been around since the 16bit era. The Sega Activator was an octagonal, infrared motion controller that surrounded the player. It aimed to translate physical movements into in-game actions.

Despite being ahead of its time, the Activator suffered from accuracy issues and limited game compatibility. It was an early attempt at motion-controlled gaming, foreshadowing the popularity of similar technologies in later years.

Dreamcast Fishing Controller (Sega Dreamcast)

Sticking with motion-controlled gaming, the Dreamcast Fishing controller was shaped like a fishing rod with a reel and provided a realistic fishing experience. The tactile feedback and motion controls added a novel element, creating a unique and immersive gameplay experience for fishing enthusiasts.

While games like Sega Bass Fishing and its sequel were great to play with this controller, its functionalities were not well suited beyond the realm of fishing games. It did support a few other titles other than the fishing games, namely titles like Virtua Tennis and Soulcaliber, but it was no match for the experience one could have with the real controller. All that said, this accessory is one the coolest relics from the glory days of the PSone era.

The Nintendo Virtual Boy

Less of an accessory and more of an actual console by itself, the Nintendo Virtual Boy is a testament to Nintendo’s commitment to innovate, even if the product was way ahead of its time to meet quality standards. This was Nintendo exploring VR way back in 1995. Their eccentric gaming system was designed to create a 3D stereoscopic experience.

It featured a visor that players peered into to see red-tinted monochromatic 3D graphics.? As fresh of an idea as it was at the time, the Virtual Boy was ultimately a commercial failure due to its uncomfortable design and limited game library. However, it remains a quirky part of gaming history, representing Nintendo's bold experimentation in the realm of virtual reality.

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