Don't worry, if you opt for the basic Nintendo Wii package you will be able to start gaming immediately as it ships with controller, cable, console and even a complimentary set of games in Wii Sports.

And at just $250 for all of this, it provides by far the best value of money out of all the gaming consoles on the market at the moment. You can expect to pay at least $150 more for an XBox or $250 more for a PlayStation 3.

While $250 is a great price, you should be aiming for somewhere closer to the $350 or $400 mark when getting started with the Wii as you will probably want some extra accessories and equipment.

You could spend thousands of dollars on Wii accessories if you really wanted to, but there are a few that we think are essential.

At the very least you need buy an extra controller. The Wii ships with one as standard but you will definitely want at least one more so family and friends can join in the fun.

Another extra you may want to consider is a battery recharger on one of the custom built Wii Charge Stations. Wii controllers require plenty of electricity and there is nothing running than having to recharge mid-game.

If you are a committed gamer you will also probably want to buy a Nuncuk controller or two. These are essential for many of the most popular Wii games and genuinely enhance the whole Wii experience. So you should know that you will probably need to spend a bit extra to get the most from your Wii, but an extra $100 should cover most of it.