December 22nd, 2011
Skylanders figures have created quite a storm amongst retailers over the past few weeks. And with all of the different toys to choose from do you really know which Skylanders characters are the best? Here we take a quick look at 5 of the most popular Skylanders toys currently available at GamingZap.
1.) Dark Spyro Skylanders Figure
Dark Spyro is the only ‘dark’ variant Skylanders Character available and is exclusively sold with the Skylanders 3DS Starter Pack. Due to hugely popular demand we are now selling the rare dragon singularly. He features a unique colour scheme and individual powers and abilities. Being more adept at magical thunder and slash attacks makes this rare skylanders figure is a worthy addition to any collection.
2.) Ignitor Skylanders Figure
Ignitor was once brave knight before being tricked by a cunning witch into wearing a magical suit of armor that he was told would resist fire from a dragon. But as it turned out, it was made of cursed steel bonding him to a ghostly suit of armour, with a soul of fire!
Utilising his superior strength, Ignitor joined the Skylanders to fight evil and and find the witch responsible. Again, only available with the 3DS starter pack, the Ignitor Skylanders Character is available individually from GamingZap.
3.) Stump Smash Skylanders Figure
The Stump Smash Skylanders Character was once a magical tree that spent most of his time sleeping peacefully in the forests of Skylands. Then one day he awoke to discover his entire forest had been chopped down and logged by trolls – himself included. His long branches were gone, leaving him with only powerful mallets for hands, which he used to smash the troll tree-cutting machines.
4.) Voodood Skylanders Figure
Voodood is a might warrior from the Skylanders Series. The orc has his trusty Axe Reaver to destroy his enemies, which contains magical energy! This Voodood Skylanders figure uses his grappling hook at the end of his staff to draw his foes close so he can electrocute them and win the battle!
5.) Drobot Skylanders Figure
Drobot is a curious dragon Skylander who assembled himself a robotic suit to shoot lasers from his eyes, give him a deep booming voice, and the ability to shoot spinning gears. With such power – more than most other dragons – Drobot joined the Skylanders to help protect the residents of Skylands.
December 18th, 2011
“For generations, the Skylanders have used their magical powers and weapons to protect Skylands. But now, an evil tyrant has frozen and banished them to Earth. Only you can bring them back to life in their world to save Skylands forever.”
The latest childhood craze to hit the high street stores this Christmas is Activision’s ‘Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure’ video game for the Xbox 360, PS3 and Nintendo Wii. Much more than a video game, the franchise bridges the gap between virtual and real world play by bringing the Skylanders figures to life!
Included with in the starter pack is the video game, ‘Portal of Power’ and three unique Skylanders action figures. By placing the figure on the ‘Portal of Power’ and like magic your Skylander will come to life in the video game, allowing you to explore, battle and discover countless adventures with friends.
The great thing about the Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure Toys is that once they’ve been transported into the game through the ‘Portal of Power’ all of their upgrades and character information is memorised; so the next time you play that character all their previous in-game experience are already there, and you can use them across all platform so you can play with all your friends.
You don’t just have to use your Skylanders in the main game either; you can place two Skylanders on the ‘Portal of Power’ and explore new areas together with your friends or battle it out. Choose a Battle Arena, go head-to head and it’s a fight to the finish. Which Skylander comes out on top will depend on how often you play with and upgrade them.
There’s over 30 different Skylanders belonging to one of eight different elements (Air, Life, Undead, Earth, Fire, Water, Magic, Tech) to collect allowing for countless hours of adventures and battles.
The Skylanders Spyro’s Adventures Triple Assortment Pack A as well as pack B and C are available for pre-order now from GamingZap!
November 17th, 2011
There are many affordable gaming headsets available on each platform, boasting exciting features like wireless connections, surround sound and real-time equalisers. Indeed, if you’re willing to spend approximately £50 you’ll be able to find an excellent system that includes many if not all of these features, with excellent sound quality to boot.
Where these systems fall down, however, is their compatibility. They are typically tailor-made for each platform and occasionally two; the norm is that they’ll be compatible with either the Xbox 360 or the PS3, with token PC compatibility thrown in to sweeten the deal.
It is the realm of the highest end headsets to offer universal compatibility; that is to say a gaming headset that genuinely works with each of the three platforms. These are usually quite expensive affairs, but some can offer advanced features or above-average sound quality to partially negate the universal compatibility premium.
The Tritton Ax Pro is one such headset, combining many of the top features you’d look for in any good gaming headset with universal compatibility. Today we’ll be looking at this headset to see how it compares, both to headsets in the same price range and cheaper headsets tailored to a specific console. Let’s get right into it.
Physical Design & Packaging
The first place we’ll start is the packaging. As you’d expect for a headset that offers universal compatibility, there are quite a few bibs and bobs included, which makes for a rather hefty package. Let’s go through it.
First, we have the look of the box itself. The box features an eye-catching if not elegant design and colour scheme, showing the headset itself and hiding the multiple of wires that surely lurk within. It’s not quite the beauty of an Apple or SteelSeries case, but hey! We’re not buying this headset for the box, are we?
Instead we’re buying it for these reasons, the features listed on the front of the box:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
- 3D Directional Precision Gaming Headset
- Digital Optical Input
- 8 Precision Speakers With Individual Sound Field Controls
- Optimized Two Way Communcation XBOX Live, Playstation Network and PC
- Adjust Game Volume Separately From Communication Volume
- Break-Away Inline Controller
It’s a fair introduction of the headset that includes most of the relevant information, so that’s all well and good. Here’s the back of the box now, which has more information along the same lines:
- Optimized for Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Hifi Audio
- True 5.1 Surround Sound Via 8 Precision Speakers
- Digital and Analog Inputs
- Digital Analog Converter (DAC)
Now, let’s have a look at what’s inside. Of course, we’ll have the headset itself, which includes a rather industrial design, mostly silver with some orange accents.
The 5.1 sound is achieved through a quartet of dedicated driver channels, including a pair of 30mm drivers for the front and surround speakers, a 23mm driver for the centre channel and a 40mm driver for the .1 LFE.
The Tritton logo on the side of the headphones lights up, but does so without being overly ostentatious.
The headset system also includes a great many attachments to ensure universal compatibilty. Indeed, as you open the box you’ll marvel at how many separate pieces reside within.
As you can see the attachments of the headset are quite substancial, including a control box that requires its own power supply. Even more cables than shown here are required; you could potentially need two 3x stereo 3.5mm lines, an optical audio cable, a USB cable, a power cable and an Xbox 360 2.5mm headset cable.
Here’s a closeup of that control box, through which most of the stuff routes.
The control box includes two connections to the headset itself (so if you buy two Tritton headsets, you can have both plugged in at once to a single source). It also includes an optical audio out, USB out and two sets of three 3.5 mm jacks for 6 channel analog sound in and out.
Generally speaking, you’ll want to connect with a combination of the optical audio for game sounds and USB for voice chat. However, this is how it actually works:
- PC: Connect using analog six channel sound for game sounds and analog microphone for voice chat, bypassing the control box. Analog is used because the optical out option on built-in sound cards doesn’t support 5.1, a fault of motherboard manufacturers rather than the headset itself.
- Xbox 360: Connect using optical out for game sound and 2.5mm jack to the Xbox 360 controller. The best possible solution, but damn that 2.5mm jack!
- PS3: Everything works as expected: optical out for game sound and USB for voice chat. Excellent!
The headset also includes an inline remote, which extends the reach of the headset to a viable length, approximately 3 metres. The inline remote has a great many controls on it, including individual buttons for adjusting the volume levels of the subwoofer and each channel. There are also separate controls for adjusting the volume level of the voice chat. Finally, there’s a 2.5mm jack for connecting to those damnable Xbox 360 controllers.
There’s also an additional set of ear pads and head rail pads, if you wear out the original set, as well as all of the cables necessary to connect to a PC, PS3 or Xbox 360 and power the unit. I think that’s about it. Let’s move onto the crux of the review, the testing.
Testing Methodology
In order to test the headset in varied conditions, I’ll use it in the following circumstances:
- PC Gaming, using the 6 channel analog connection and USB voice chat
- PC Gaming, using the optical connection and USB voice chat
- Xbox 360 gaming, using the optical connection and 2.5 mm voice chat
- PS3 gaming, using the optical connection and USB voice chat
In all of the tests above, I’ll also be trying out the voice communication abilities. I don’t have a second Tritton headset, so I won’t test the two-headsets-one-control-box. To save space, I will list the overall results, noting wherever differences were found between different connection methods, instead of providing a different section for each of the tests.
Testing Results
Sound Quality
Sound quality and sound clarity is quite important in a gaming headset, particularly in first person shooters like Battlefield or Call of Duty. This is because it makes it much easier to operate in quiet areas by ear, as you can listen for footsteps and other tell-tale signs that an enemy is near. With the surround sound that the Tritton offers, it should be possible to do this with pinpoint accuracy, potentially giving you a great advantage in these titles.
On the whole, I was impressed with the sound quality of the Tritton headset. While on the higher and lowest ends of the spectrums the sound was a bit muddy, the mid to low levels were extremely crisp, making locating the enemy short work.
The sound of the battlefield was amply reproduced, with excellent results in Battlefield 3 and Battlefield Bad Company 2 particularly, games which are well known for their stellar sound design. The surround sound was ably done as well, at times besting my 5.1 speaker system.
The sound balance also worked well, with the in-line controls making it quite easy to balance voice comms and the game volume. Incoming voice chat was clear and crisp, with the headset making the most of the sometimes subpar microphone quality of my compatriots.
Voice Quality
In all instances, voice quality was from good to excellent. This isn’t a headset that you’d want to record a professional podcast on or sing into, but for general gaming use it’s one of the best I’ve ever used. The microphone is malleable enough to be positioned precisely, and the resultant audio quaility was reported to be pleasant and crisp on all ends.
There seemed to be marginally worse quality audio on the XBox 360, but this is largely due to the 2.5 mm analog connection rather than any fault of the headset.
Overall, I can’t find any points of contention with the microphone quality of the headset, and would definitely recommend the Tritton for keen team players, particularly those playing with an organised clan or team.
Comfort
The Tritton was quite a comfortable headset to wear, particularly given its size and weight, which is quite substancial given that it is a discrete 5.1 system (instead of a virtual 5.1 system, which doesn’t require any more speakers). Only after long periods, in excess of eight hours or so, did the Tritton become a pain to wear. I generally tend to find headsets uncomfortable, particularly when wearing glasses, so this was a strong result for the system.
Ease of Use
Once the system is installed and plugged into your given console, it’s very easy to use and there are few ways in which it could be improved. That’s once it’s plugged in, though. The actual connection itself; this is the area in which the Tritton falls down.
During your first setup (and indeed, during subsequent setups) it takes quite a long time to work out which cables need to go where. Changing between systems also involves a lot of plugging and unplugging, even changing the structure of the connections or bypassing the control box in many instances.
I have never wished for a wireless headset more than I have when using the Tritton. Indeed, at some stages I wished for a dedicated PC or PS3 headset, just so I wouldn’t have deal with the mess of wires. There is definitely room for improvement here, but overall it is a manageable issue.
Conclusion
Once the Tritton headset is set up, it is one of the best headsets I’ve ever used. The sound quality is top notch, the surround sound works excellently and really promotes stealthy, tactical play in games that support it (e.g. Call of Duty and Battlefield 3).
The universal compatibility works as advertised, although some PC connections that I expected to work didn’t for unknown reasons, e.g allowing a surround sound system to be passed through over 5.1 analog whilst connected using the other 5.1 analog port.
The biggest problem with the Tritton headset is that setup is such a pain. It constantly requires re-jigging and re-thinking your connections, adding and removing sections of cable, and at times bypassing the control box altogether.
I’d much prefer being able to have a system where there are a few ports for each of the supported systems, and just have a knob on the control box that allows me to switch between them, keeping everything plugged in. Although the control box would have to be bigger, as some of the systems share common connections, this would reduce the complexity of the system dramatically, as re-wiring wouldn’t be needed for switching between systems.
If you’re looking for something that you can easily move from system to another, then another headset might be a better choice. Logitech are due to release a universal headset fairly shortly, you might look into that. If you can stand the re-wiring, particularly if you tend to game on one system for an extended stretch, the Tritton is an excellent choice.
October 24th, 2011
Here at GamingZap we see lots of awesome PS3 accessories, and are lucky enough to try nearly all of them, so we think we’ve got a pretty idea of what the best PS3 accessories there are around at the moment. There are often new products releases, such as this awesome Ps3 batman controller, so instead of picking out the best products which are always changing, here’s a quick run down of the types of accessories you can buy, and if you click through to them, you can be sure to find the best playstation 3 accessories!
Ps3 Controllers
No list of the best ps3 accessories would be complete without a stunning ps3 controller in it. There are of course a huge range to choose from, and whilst the official dual shock ps3 controller might be the safe, predictable and sometimes expensive choice, there are a number of awesome alternatives. One of our favourites is the HKS racing controller which you can see above. Finished in a gorgeous red metallic finish, and customised for racing games, this really is the ultimate controller. With throttle and brake control wheels, and a digital readout, there really isn’t a better controller out there.
PS3 Cables
Whilst they might not be the most glamorous of ps3 accessories, no-one can doubt the importance of PS3 cables. Whether it’s a PS3 power supply or PS3 controller charger, cables will keep your PS3 up and running, so you won’t ever run out of power for your console or your controllers!
PS3 Stand
One great way to keep your PS3 accessories organised and looking neat, is to invest in a PS3 Stand or PS3 dock, which will keep your cables, controllers, games and console all in one place, without any unsightly cables to trip over.
PS3 Headsets
No list would be complete without having a PS3 headset in it. With so many to choose from the list is quite baffling. However we had to pick the brand new official Sony wireless PS3 headset which is due to come out for this Christmas. This USB powered headset, looks stunning with it’s sleek black design, and you can be sure the sound quality is second to none with Sony’s amazing history in the music business.
Why not take a look at the rest of GamingZap’s products and find what you are looking for. We also have a wide range of PS3 fans, PS3 Joysticks and PS3 Arcade Sticks too! And if you’re into your modding, then check out our PS3 Cases too. Order by 6pm for same day dispatch!
October 21st, 2011
Buying a replacement power adaptor for your Xbox 360 console can be a bit of a nightmare, especially if you are not sure exactly what model of the console you own. Each model has a specific power adaptor which will only work with the specific model they are manufactured for. In order to help you make the right decision when buying a replacement power supply GamingZap have helped compile an easy to identify buying guide for the different Xbox 360 Power Supplies.
At this moment in time GamingZap only stock a replacement Xbox 360 Power Supply for the Xenon/ Zephyr console model range. Launched in 2005 and 2007 respectively, these model consoles were the original lines to be released and commonly experience fault due to poor cable care and management. The Xbox 360 Original AC Power Cord Adapter supplies a power rating of 203W and includes an in-built stable voltage feature so that it can be used in 220V or 110V households (UK or EU)
Don’t forget to check out our whole range of Xbox 360 Adapters as well as other accessories as we are the first stop shop if you need a PS3 Controller, Kinect Adapter, or Kinect Power Supply!
October 14th, 2011
The Dark Knight has returned to GamingZap but this time in the form of two fantastic looking limited edition controllers for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Renowned gaming accessories manufacturer Power A have teamed up with DC comics and Warner Brothers to produce these two stunning officially licensed collectibles in celebration of the upcoming release of the new Batman: Arkham City videogame. Here we will have a quick overview of both;
Xbox 360 Wired Batarang Controller
Styled like the iconic Batman Batarang, this Xbox 360 Controller is ergonomically designed to fit your hand and ensure that you can play your favourite games comfortably for hours. Featuring soft-touch rubberised gamepad ‘handles’, the controller provides you with a greater tactile feel and to allows a firm grip for even the most intense gaming scenarios. The controller also features built-in dual rumble motors and 7 phase LED illumination of action buttons and handle outlines, as well as a 1.8m wired cable with ‘break-away’ connection in order to prevent wire damage if the controller is pulled too far.
Playstation 3 Wireless Batarang Batman Controller
Featuring the same Batarang styling and internal dual-rumble motors, as well as the 7 colour phase illumination of action buttons and controller detailing, this PS3 Controller also includes a few more pieces of tech wizardy that even Bruce Wayne would be proud of. Featuring a batman themed USB RF signal receiver and 1.8m rechargeable USB controller cable, the PS3 Batarang controller allows wireless gameplay as well as fully supporting Playstation’s sixaxis motion technology.
Overall these controllers are fantastic for fans of the Batman comic or gaming series, and certainly the best way to enjoy the latest Batman videogame offering. Be sure to check out the rest of our website for other PS3 Accessories and Microsoft Kinect Accessories
October 14th, 2011
Cable breakages are one of the most common failings gamers experience with their consoles. Whether it is a problem with the power adaptor brick, the mains power cable or controller recharge cable, constant flexing, use and winding will break the cables internally and caused a lack of power to your PS3, perhaps even causing damage to the console.
The
PS3 Controller Charging Cable – 2 Metre allows your to charge your PS3 wireless controller battery during gameplay. The cable is also compatible with any of other USB device which features a mini 5-pin USB connector port and supports data transfer rates of up to 480 Mbps. Measuring 2m in length the cable allows enough room for gaming freedom in a small to mid sized room.
October 10th, 2011
One of our popular products, which might take you by surprise is an Xbox 360 stand. Perhaps not the first thing that comes to your mind when thinking about Xbox 360 accessories, however they are in our view unsurprisingly popular. With space at a premium in your living room or bedroom, the better organised your gaming equipment the better, keeping your room clutter free. However, the main reason might people look to buy an xbox stand is for for their cooling abilities, as well as the possibility of them acting as an Xbox 360 charger.
One of the best selling products is the Xbox 360 Slim cooling stand and USB Hub. In jet black, this stand perfectly matches the black body of the Xbox slim, which has been so popular. The Xbox neatly slides into the base, making the Xbox more stable, as well as providing additional cooling so that your Xbox doesn’t overheat. You can of course buy a better Xbox 360 fan, however, the less hands on approach would be to buy this particular stand.
The stand is powered by a single USB port, so you don’t need to buy another Xbox 360 Cable or Xbox 360 power supply to get it up and running. It also has 3 USB ports, so you can charge additional Xbox 360 Controllers if you want to, so you can get rid of your USB hub you might be using.
Another very popular product is the Energizer Xbox 360 Controller Charging Stand. Whilst this product obviously doesn’t hold your Xbox in place, its the perfect stand for your controllers, and your headset as it will charge them both, so there is no need for an Xbox 360 charger to be lying around to trip over. Backed by the Energizer brand, this stand is very well made, and feels really solid. It takes around 2.5hours to charge two Xbox Controllers and a headset, which will have you ready to play the next time you need to. No more spare Xbox 360 Controller batteries needed! The Energizer stand is also available as a PS3 Charger too.
A final mention must go to the extremely useful Kinect Stand. There are two types available, either the type you place on the floor and place in front of your TV, which means you must have a really big room to play in, or the more popular Kinect TV mount version, which clips your Kinect onto the top of your TV, holding it at the perfectly angle, out of the way.
October 6th, 2011
If you are a gamer on the go and even occasionally take your Xbox 360 to a mate’s house then you will be aware that moving your console and carrying it safely can be a nightmare. One slip, trip, drop or knock and it is game over. That is why at GamingZap we stock a varied selection of Xbox 360 Bags to help keep your console and accessories organised and well protected. Here we will give you a quick run-down of our two best-selling items and how they are different so that you find the right Xbox 360 Bag for you!
Xbox 360 Slim Carry Case
This carry case is designed for Xbox slim console models is manufactured using high grade Nylon which is extremely wear resistant and robust. The entire side of the carry case is opened using the industrial quality zip in order to allow maximum ease when inserting the console. Additionally, the inside of the zipped cover has pocket space to hold up to 12 games discs and cables and accessories. Finally, the bag is secured with a quick release clip and features a securely stitched handle and a 50″ adjustable shoulder strap for comfortable and convenient carriage.
Tritton Universal Gaming Backpack
Designed to distribute the weight evenly across your shoulders, the Tritton Universal Gaming Backpack can store a PS3, Nintendo Wii or Xbox 360 as well as a multitude of entire games cases, accessories, controller and cables. The padded internal storage compartments include padded water-proof pouches in which to put your accessories for double the protection. Additionally, these storage compartments are completely modular so you can include storage for as much or as little are you want. Reinforced buckles, handle rivets and strong shoulder straps help to evenly distribute and manage the load of the console.
Don’t forget to check out our whole range of console bags as well as other accessories such as we are the first stop shop if you need a PS3 Controller, Kinect Adapter, or Kinect Power Supply amongst a wide range of must have console accessories!
October 3rd, 2011
After the storming success of our initial KontrolFreek thumbstick releases, GamingZap have increased our range to include additional designs which are sure to suit a variety of different gamers and preferences.
For those of you haven’t come across these smart little add-ons, the Kontrol Freek thumbsticks have been developed to increase your accuracy and precision in first person shooter and racing games. Compatible with both Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 controllers, the thumbsticks simply snap onto the analog thumbsticks of your controller in order to extend their length. This boasts a 40% increased linear distance from end to end allowing finer movements and control.
The most notable addition to the thumbstick range is the KontrolFreek FPS Freek Thumbstick EPIC (Gears of War) which are coloured blood red and feature unique embossed Gears of War Death Cog logos. A perfect accompaniment for the release of the final part of the epic gaming saga, these thumbsticks are guaranteed to improve your accuracy in taking down the Locust hordes!
Also available is the KontrolFreek Touchdown Freek Thumbstick. Styled to resemble American footballs, these thumbsticks would look great for any fan of the Madden NFL game franchise and allow tighter player controls and increased throwing aim. Similarly, the KontrolFreek Tee Freek Thumbstick are the perfect accessory for fans of Tiger Woods PGA Tour and other golfing games. The concave, dimpled design of the thumbsticks is not only aesthetically novel but also improve grip, comfort and allow for finer aim adjustments to achieve then perfect swing.
Don’t forget to check out our whole range of KontrolFreek products including the ‘Classic’, ‘Prestige’ and Retro-inspired KontrolFreek Rcade Freek Thumbstick.
We are also the first stop if you need a PS3 Controller, Kinect Adapter, or Kinect Power Supply amongst a wide range of must have console accessories!
