While many of the PS3's accessories are essentially the same as the Xbox 360's, its really rather splendid media player/Blu-ray abilities means it attracts an additional crowd of add-on devices designed to make the best of this.

Of course, that's not to say there isn't a bunch of splendid shiny things that improve its gaming clout, too.

See if any of these 12 wondrous PS3 gifts take your fancy...

1. Gioteck Real Triggers, £2.99

Bloody-minded determination to retain the classic Playstation controller design resulted in some really flat, disappointing, untactile triggers for the PS3 pad. There are squillions of clip-on alternatives (they've even been given away free with magazines) to make them less like buttons and more like triggers, but you can't go wrong with the £3 Gioteck Real Triggers.

2. Speedlink Controller Converter PS2 To PS3, £5.99

Why waste a fortune on a clutch of PS3 controllers when you've got an attic full of perfectly adequate PS2 ones? The Speedlink Controller Converter PS2 To PS3 USB adaptor turns the old into the new on the cheap. Sure, it's no wireless, but surely you'll cope with the sight of a trailing black cable for the sake of saving £30.

3. Pair & Go Total Controller, £19.99

Cementing the PS3's status as the best media centre machine around (regardless of whatever sticks and stones you want to throw about its gaming stripes), this slide-open Pair & Go Total Controller houses a minikeyboard and a pair of thumbsticks inside a sleek Blu Ray/DVD remote. The controls are a little too small for yer Uncharted 2s, but fine for PSN fare.

4. PlayTV, £59.99

Reduce the number of blinking boxes underneath your telly by one, with PlayTV, an add-on Freeview tuner for your PS3. It also takes advantage of the console's hard drive, turning the thing into an effective PVR. Dual tuners, too, so you can watch one channel whilst recording another.

5. FragFX v.2, £59.99

You're going to be playing a whole lot of Modern Warfare 2 this Christmas, aren't you? And you'll be desperately wanting those experience points, those ranks, those bragging rights? Give yourself an edge with the FragFX v.2, a hyper-accurate mouse/pad combo. If you're used to playing shooters on PC, this'll restore some of that much-missed responsiveness.

6. Logic3 USB Port Expander, £13

Only two USB sockets, and far too close together - thanks for nothing, Sony. The Logic3 USB Port Expander is a PS3-coloured strip which turns two into five, and without spoiling the look of the console. Well, bar the annoying Logic 3 logo, but you can colour that in with a black marker pen.