Are peripherals beneficial to gameplay? Are they a hindrance? I was recently reading through EGM, and in its Wireless Guide it talks about Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII, exclusive for cell phones. It said that one of the things a player will be able to do is create "Materia" by taking pictures with the phones built in Camera. The dominant color determines the Materia type. Another game that uses a peripheral is Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand for the GBA. Actual sunlight influences gameplay by powering up the character. To do this, the cartridge has a "sun sensor." Intriguing and original if you ask me. So all this led me to ponder whether peripherals like this are simply a marketing gimic, or a new way of gaming? Assuming the game will only come out for camera phones because of screen resolution or something, why not take advantage of something like that? Especially if pictures are free! Is it a hassle or a cool invention? When it comes to Boktai, you have to wonder: do you really want to be sitting outside all the time playing this game to have a strong character? Does the originality outweigh the possible downside? I mean, if you don't have to pay extra for these...extras, are they a good thing? They sure do create another way for games to experience their games. I can't quite decide. Thoughts? Other examples?

sounds nifty to me, as long as it isn't a requirement to be able to do these things. that is mainly because i tend to play games in my cave, far from sunlight or things to photograph.

well, In case of Boktai, you get those buy just buying the game for the exact same price like any other game. No extra purchase necessary

There's also Kirby tilt & tumble for the GBC and the new warioware coming that uses motion detector so you have to physically move your GBA to play.

Eye toy is also a good way to sell the pheripheral, with a game included. Donkey Konga (konga included when you buy the game) did this as well, and they even put further use for the kongas in their upcoming game DK: Jungle Beat where u use your konga not to play music, but to control DK & his attacks

I think they are great as long as they are included with the game and adds something to the experience. I hate it when certain game has joystick support, but sadly I don't own one!

like DDR and the dance mats? Ithink Konami finally learn from that one by including microphone head set with the karaoke game