via a wired or wireless interface in the illustrated implementation the controllers are usb universal serial bus compatible and are connected to the console 102 via respective usb cables 130 1 and 130 2 the controllers 104 may be equipped with any of a wide variety of user interaction mechanisms in this example each controller 104 is equipped with two thumbsticks 132 1 and 132 2 a d pad directional pad 134 buttons 136 e g u2018 a u2019 u2018 b u2019 u2018 x u2019 u2018 y u2019 and two triggers 138 although only one trigger is shown in the drawing these mechanisms are merely representative and other known gaming mechanisms may be substituted for or added to those shown in fig1 a memory unit 140 may be inserted into a memory unit reader 141 in the game console 102 to provide additional and portable storage in this example up to two memory units may be supported by the game console 102 portable memory units enable users to store game parameters and user accounts and port them for play on other consoles a headset 142 may be connected to the controller 104 or game console 102 to provide audio communication capabilities headset 142 may include a microphone.