When you are buying a new PS3, there is so much more that you need to get than just a console. The best thing is to make as many of your purchases as you can at once, so that you don’t get ready to play and then realize that “Oh whoops! I forgot about that!.” So when you are shopping, remember to think outside of that big black box, and consider the accessories which are really necessary to a good gaming experience.

One thing to think about is the controller. Sure, your console will almost definitely come with one, abut there are some really cool alternatives to the default PS3 controller that are really great choices. For example, there are a couple of wireless PS3 controllers that are a lot easier on the fingers than the standard one. There is a controller that is similar to a mouse for people who are used to gaming on a computer and don’t want to play differently. There is a really neat controller that looks pretty normal but has a hinge in the middle so that you can control it by twisting.

Another thing to consider is getting a Blu-ray remote. Your PS3 can play Blu-ray discs, so why not take advantage of these capabilities by having a full media center? Of course you want to do that, but you still have to remember to pick up that remote.

And of course, you will also need a good selection of games to play. Depending on how you buy your console, on its own or bundled with a favorite game, you will either have something or nothing to start off with in this department. If you have had an earlier model of the PlayStation in the past, you may be able to play some of your PS1 or PS2 games on your new PS3, although not all of them will be compatible. When shopping for games, you may be able to score major savings by buying several at a time instead of just picking them up individually. It’s important to take a look at your options before you purchase.