Looking back on my life as a gamer, I can recall a time when games were simple. It did not matter what specs your TV had or how loud your subwoofer was. Games still played, looked, and sounded the same on almost any set up. Today, however, that is not the case. Games are being backed by brilliant visuals, amazing sound effects, and soundtracks that easily stand up to the test of time. Back in the day it didn't matter what size TV you were playing on, but in today's world there are a few things you can do to enhance not only the way your game looks, but the feel, sound, and actual "experience" itself. Here are a few things that can make games not only more fun, but even give you advantages over people with just regular setups.

1-HDTV

With today's ever-expanding use of video technology, it's easy to see why an HDTV would give you a better experience than just a regular tube. Picture quality is more crisp, detailed, and colors are brighter.  All of the next generation of consoles are going to utilize high definition. You can see things at a further distance and you have a widescreen view that gives you a huge advantage over people with a regular TV. It almost gives you an extra "peripheral vision" of sorts. Also, the detail on some of the newer games is jaw-dropping and deserves to be seen in the highest quality. I recommend the Sony 50" Grand Wega SXRD Rear Projection HDTV. It runs for about 2-3 grand, so it won't break your wallet for a good sized TV.

2-Surround Sound

 Games that utilize surround sound are nothing new, but some games make surround sound a necessity instead of a luxury. It can be a life-saving experience to hear footsteps accurately reflecting position - no need to guess if it's coming from behind you or over to the right. With surround, you know exactly where your opponent is and sometimes which direction they are going. This can give you a huge advantage in multiplayer games, especially first-person shooters. Not only that, the experience is so much more life-like. To truly get the best sound system, you should pick out each and every speaker separately to fit your needs, but for those of you who just want to buy a decently priced bundle to fit a bedroom or decent-sized living room, I'd go with Onkyo SKS-HT240. They are priced between four and five hundred dollars. The sound is decent and they have a sleek design that will look great next to your new HDTV. The speakers are pretty tiny, and definitely have their limits, but the package is worth the money for a hassle-free bundle of three-dimensional sound.

3-Joystick

Hardcore and casual gamers alike can relate to this. Sometimes, controllers just don't cut it. Whether you fancy old school arcade types or fast and flashy flight sims, a joystick can help in ways you cannot imagine. A lot of joysticks are also great because they are multi-platform, meaning you can hook that bad boy up to your PlayStation, Xbox 360, or PC right out of the box. A great joystick is the X-Arcade joystick. It comes with a lifetime warranty, so don't worry about smashing those buttons too hard. Plus, you can get two-player joysticks so you and your buddies can play those old fighting games that you just can't seem to find in arcades any more. At around $120.00 for the two-player joystick, they are a little more pricey than others, but well worth it for the lifetime warranty.

4-Upgraded High Speed

Let's face it, lag can be your worst enemy in multiplayer games. People still play on DSL, and it's time for an upgrade. There are a lot of companies out there that offer "high speed" connections, so use your best judgement on which company to go for. Sometimes local companies can give you better service than the big companies, so do your research before upgrading. There are a lot of options that might fit your specific needs, but if it's available in your area, I would check out Verizon Fios. It's a high speed broadband connection made specifically for people who need the fastest of the fast. You can get fiber-optic connections at 15 megs for about 50 dollars a month. There is even a 50 mbps package available for those who feel the need to have more bandwidth than they know what to do with.

5-Gamer Chairs

There is something to be said about comfort. I myself have used what is known to many as the "butt pillow" after hours of gameplay. What is really great about gamer chairs is that many of them take comfort and stick some intense features in there as well. If you want to really "feel" the game, this is your best bet. Most gamer chairs come with high quality surround sound features. You want to feel the rumble of the tank as it drives by? This is what you need. Pyramat has a great chair for a good price. The Pyramat s2000's sound is incredible, and at $150.00, you can't argue. You can literally feel gun-shot concussions and the rumble of a nearby tank. Not only that, the chair folds up and is easy to store.

I'm sad to say that the days of gamer setup equality are over, but even the smallest upgrades to your rig can make gaming a thousand times more worthwhile. Sometimes blowing a month's worth of savings on a brand spanking new toy can add exactly what you have been missing from your entertainment experience. Bigger and louder may not always be better, but it certainly makes gaming more fun.