Key Points
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Gear doesn't make Master Chief the Master Chief, but it does help him become a Demon.
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Some gaming mouse standards are detrimental to your health.
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Consider monitors that save your eye sockets from unnecessary blue light.
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PlayStation 5 games are exceptional in 2023's market, but Xbox has its finger on the pulse of what's next.
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No matter what system you play on, there are options for great gear.
Master Chief is humanity's last line of defense in Halo Infinite. Without his training and MJOLNIR armor, his fight against the Banished would prove short. The Master Chief's talents are composed of more than a suit of armor, but the armor enables him to operate at the absolute best of his abilities. Until he steps inside the suit, the MJOLNIR Mark VI GEN3 armor is useless. In the right hands, high-performance gear wreaks havoc on its victims.
Like the Master Chief, truly great players are bastions of precision and calm. They're adaptive warriors on their respective battlefields. It doesn't matter whether that's speedrunning, single-player completionism, or competing at the highest stages in the Halo Championship Series. To maximize your playing experience, you need top-gear picks. Here are the latest gear suggestions from HaloHype.
Gaming Headset
Not unlike the Master Chief's helmet, your headset is an essential part of your arsenal. Gaming headset brands might seem indistinguishable to the average person, but to the dedicated player, they're vehicles of personal expression tailored to their preferences.
To reach the top, it doesn't hurt to immerse yourself in-game with pristine gaming headset brands like HyperX Cloud II, Razer, or SteelSeries for all your audio needs.
Photo source: Amazon.com
Gaming Mouse
Not all gaming mice are created equal. According to a study by researchers Guangchuan Li, et al., some gaming mouse performance standards "pose challenges to musculoskeletal health," especially if they're made from heavier materials.
If you play on PC, consider both precision and comfort in gaming mouse performance. Some players install aimbots and employ other cheat methods to get around the pitfalls of a crummy mouse. To avoid issues caused by subpar mice, pick up something precise and customizable, like the Logitech G502 Hero, or shop with brands like Razer or Corsair.
Gaming Keyboard
A responsive keyboard is the joy of writers, programmers, and gamers everywhere. There's nothing like the sound and feel of responsive keys under your fingertips. Especially if you play on PC, gaming keyboard customization is essential to lengthen the lifecycle of your WASD keys. It’s also pretty nice when you can customize the keys' colors and enhance their durability.
Gaming keyboard customization is only the beginning. Consider what improves your gameplay and fits your playstyle. If you're looking into a keyboard and mouse combo, the Redragon S101 is a solid option. Check out brands like HyperX, Corsair, and Razer for other dynamic keyboards.
Gaming Chair
Whether you're astride Epona in the fields of Hyrule, piloting an X-Wing into dogfights with the Galactic Empire, or exploring Zeta Halo behind the wheel of a Warthog, where you sit matters. In your case, a gaming chair comfortable enough for long sessions is essential while you experience your favorite games.
Gaming chair comfort starts with ergonomics. Everyone's sitting style is different. According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, sitting "require[s] less muscular effort, but that does not exempt people from the injury risks usually associated with more physically demanding tasks."
You must have good sitting habits and support whether you game professionally or leisurely. Stay comfortable and supported during long gaming sessions with ergonomic and stylish gaming chairs from brands like RESPAWN 110, Secretlab, DXRacer, or AKRacing.
Photo source: Amazon.com
Gaming Monitor
Just as you save your back with a good chair, save your eyes with a quality pickup from prestige gaming monitor brands. Whether you run a 1080p or 4K monitor, you need something with a high refresh rate that's comfortable for your eyes. Bluelight fatigue is no joke, especially when you're grinding the Halo Infinite battle pass.
Gaming monitor brands like ASUS TUF Gaming, Acer, and Dell offer smooth and stunning visuals with efficient refresh rates and sublime performance standards. Do your research and test out what monitors work best for your budget and comfort.
Gaming Console
Though the Console Wars are pretty much over, the latest gaming consoles and their exclusives still factor into what box you decide to grab. According to data from Hub Entertainment Research, over a third of gamers own multiple consoles. With that in mind, here are the key differences between the latest gaming consoles.
PlayStation 5
Even Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer knows PlayStation has beaten Xbox, and it's not hard to understand why. The PlayStation 5 games library has killer exclusive games for the most serious-minded players, including God of War Ragnarök, Horizon Forbidden West, and The Last of Us franchise. For instance, The Last of Us series saw a major uptick in sales thanks to the critically acclaimed HBO adaptation.
With numerous exclusive PlayStation 5 games and popular cross-platform titles like Fortnite, Elden Ring, and Call of Duty available on the console, it's a great time to grab one.
Xbox Series X/S
Even though it's trailing behind Sony in total boxes sold, Xbox Series X/S has some great things going for it. The Halo series technically isn't an Xbox exclusive anymore since it went cross-play on Windows and Steam, but the only console you can play the franchise on is where it originated. (Nintendo Switch port when?)
However, Microsoft is teeing up some major home run potential in pure accessibility with Xbox Game Pass. For $15 a month, a player can access hundreds of critically acclaimed and coveted games. With Starfield’s release scheduled for September 2023, Xbox has some skin in the fight to improve its case against PlayStation's considerable track record in recent years.
Nintendo Switch
While technically running older hardware, as is Nintendo tradition, the Switch is still selling like hotcakes. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a juggernaut in sales for summer 2023 with Pikmin 4 and m a y b e Metroid Prime 4 on the horizon soon after. Don't quote that.
The Nintendo Switch is likely entering its twilight years, but the console remains one of Nintendo's all-time bests. For that reason alone, but also the insane catalog and online access to the publisher's most-storied releases on Nintendo Switch Online, it's worth picking up today.
Gaming Laptop
Like playing PC games but want the mobility of a console? Portable gaming laptops are an excellent option if you need to save some cash or want a secondary method to play. Brands like MSI, ASUS, Acer, and Alienware have many options.
A budget alternative might be the Steam Deck, depending on your needs. Portable gaming laptops are pricey and function just like PCs, but the Steam Deck is the first viable hybrid competition to the Nintendo Switch. If you have access to Xbox Game Pass and a sizable Steam Library, you get an insane amount of games. You don't have Mario or the latest Zelda, but you might already have a Switch. If portable gaming laptops sound too high maintenance, the Steam Deck is the next best thing.
Once More Unto the Breach
Whether you play on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Nintendo, or all of the above, your gaming setup requires love and attention to detail. High-performance gear gets expensive quickly, but just like Master Chief, you can use anything, even a tractor, as an effective tool.
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