The things we've gamed with

There's no doubt that video game companies want to use new technology to improve gaming experience in new and exciting ways. Some ideas show promise, such as Sony's upcoming virtual reality headset, while others do little more than raise eyebrows, like the Wii Vitality that was announced at E3 2009. The video game industry's definitely no stranger to seeing new ideas popping up here and there. Below are just a few of the more unusual devices ever conceived within the developers' labs.

Sega Activator:

So you think that Nintendo was first to step foot into the interactive gaming frontier? It turns out that way before people were waggling their Wiimotes, Sega delved into the realm of motion controlling with the Sega Activator for the Genesis. The idea centered around snapping eight panels together in an octagonal ring on the floor, stand in the middle and use body motion to control your character on screen. The only exercise gamers reported getting was with the frustration of trying to get the unresponsive controls to work. Side effects include sore limbs, headaches, vomiting, dizziness, flailing around like an idiot and the urge to smash the Activator’s panels over the nearest biological life form. Consult your psychiatrist before use.

Nintendo Power Glove:

The Nintendo Power Glove is by far one of the strangest accessories the Big N has ever cooked up. Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, slip the Power Glove onto your hand and program the code for the game you're playing on its control panel. Then, once you place the sensors on your TV and you’re ready to rock 'n roll on all your favorite games from Punch Out! to Legend of Zelda! All you have to do then is punch the air, squeeze your hand, wave or flick your fingers to direct your character on screen, and no, scratching yourself with the Power Glove does not grant invincibility. Problem was that the controls responded as well as a deaf man at a heavy metal concert. As antagonist Lucas Barton boasted in the 1989 movie, The Wizard, “I love the Power Glove. It’s so bad!” Yeah, it’s bad alright.

Atari Jaguar controller:

When it comes to your standard gaming controller, you have your Playstation 3 one, the Xbox 360 one, the Nintendo Wii one...and then you have the Atari Jaguar controller. Yes, this sleek, aerodynamic controller comes in a square design that’s so big, you could fit your Pepsi on the useless multi-numbered keypad. The controller certainly didn’t help sell more Jaguar systems, and one could speculate it as one of the reasons why it got tossed into gaming oblivion. Definitely one of Atari’s biggest fails since E.T. on the Atari 2600.

Glucoboy:

It turns out that Nintendo had concerns about their gamers’ health way before Wii Fit hit U.S. shores. Enter Glucoboy, a child blood glucose meter originally designed to attach to the Gameboy Advance. All you need to do is prick your finger and you’ll receive a highly accurate blood glucose reading in about 10 seconds. That’s not all: the Glucoboy comes with two full video games, a mini-arcade and the ability to have your test results converted into Glucose Reward Points (GRPs), which can be used to unlock games or used as in-game currency. Considering the new health direction Nintendo is going one is left wondering when the Wii MRI will hit store shelves.

Konami Laser Scope:

If you happen to own an NES and feel like playing Duck Hunt but think that wielding the Nintendo Zapper is for chumps, check out Konami’s Laser Scope. This optical targeting plastic gray headset allows you to blast away your onscreen enemies by screaming “Fire!” into the mouthpiece. “Plus, with Laser Scope all of the awesome game sound goes right to your own ears. Not your Mom’s or Dad’s.” As if repeatedly spurting loud sounds into the mouthpiece is going to annoy them much less than the sounds of aliens exploding on the TV screen. Even though this piece of NES hardware reportedly worked well, it's doubtful that many would want to be caught with one strapped around their head.

So how about you? What are some of the oddest gaming accessories that you’ve had the chance to come across in your gaming experience?