Back-to-school gaming bargains

Got any gamers in the family? Send 'em to back to school with some top-notch gaming gear—and don't worry, these picks won't break the bank.

Indeed, if you're looking for bargains, pass on pricey next-generation setups like the PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360, and the tough-to-find Wii—although any of those three consoles would make for great graduation gifts. Instead, check out some older but tried-and-true consoles and handhelds, all of which retail for less than $200. I've also tossed in a couple of bargain accessories for good measure.

PlayStation 2: $129
Yes, it's an eight-year-old, last-generation console, but the humble PS2 is still going strong—indeed, as recently as June, the PlayStation 2 racked up 188,800 in monthly console sales. And then there's the issue of games—tons of games, actually, with more than 130 new titles announced at this year's E3 gaming conference (including Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, the latest edition of Madden, and NCAA '09) plus plenty of popular, kid-friendly games (like Buzz and SingStar). At just $129, the PS2 is probably the best gaming bargain around.

Nintendo DS Lite: $129
What's the best-selling gaming console in the U.S.? No, it's not the Wii. The dual-screen, handheld, and much-loved Nintendo DS Lite is wildly popular here in the States, selling a whopping 783,000 units in June alone. Also, the DS is no slouch when it comes to top-notch titles, including Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, Rhythm Heaven (a "tap and flick" rhythm game), and Guitar Hero: On Tour, not to mention classics like Mario Kart and the endlessly popular Pokémon series.

PSP: $169
The PlayStation Portable may have gotten off to a slow start, but Sony's handheld gaming device is finally gaming some much-needed traction, what with hits like Crisis Core, God of War, and the upcoming Resistance: Retribution (for the big kids), along with titles like Lego Indiana Jones for the little ones. Not bad for $169 online.

Pyromat PM220 Sound Rocker: $49
Armed with a pair of three-inch speakers and a 5.5-inch subwoofer, the cozy PM220 gaming chair works with the PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS ... you name it, and it even has a docking station for a iPod or PSP. And here's the best part—it folds in half, perfect for storing in a closet or under the bed. Initially sold for $149, I found the PM220 on Amazon for just $49 (limited supply only, though).

Turtle Beach Ear Force X-52 headphones: $79 ($50 online)
Worried your favorite scholar will wake her roommates while she's blasting her way through Call of Duty 4? Check out this bargain headset from Turtle Beach—it comes with a microphone for multiplayer gaming, plus padded, closed-cup earphones. Even better, the X-52's pack in eight discrete speakers; just plug the RCA inputs into a PC sound card for 5.1 surround sound—nice. Retails for $79, but available online for about $50.

Got any more back-to-school gaming tips to share? Post 'em below.