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Microsoft Xbox 360
 The included service lets anyone create a Gamertag and gamer card to express their online identity, chat live with voice chat, and connect to the Xbox Live Marketplace to buy expansions, maps, and other digital goods. The subscription service Xbox Live Gold adds to that online competition, game stats, and video chat/messaging. The separately sold wireless adapter supports the common 802.11a, -b, and -g standards. Most Anticipated Games: Gears of War, Grand Theft Auto IV , and Halo 3 Bottom Line: Gamers are most excited about the Xbox 360's enhancements to the already successful Xbox Live, including video-conferencing, achievements, and Gamerscore--a 21st century online equivalent of the arcade high score tally. Sony PlayStation 3 The PS3 features IBM's "Cell" processor and a co-developed Nvidia graphics processor that makes the system able to perform two trillion calculations per second. That's approximately 320 times more calculations per second than the PS2. Along with the traditional AV connections, it also boasts an HDMI port, which delivers uncompressed, unconverted digital picture and sound to compatible high-definition TV and projectors. The PS3, too, has some hefty multi-media features are built in, such as video chat, Internet access, digital photo viewing, and digital audio and video. Out of the box, it will have the capability to support up to seven motion-sensitive Bluetooth controllers. Sony plans similar online connectivity and services as the next generation of Xbox Live, only without the subscription. Most Anticipated Games: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Gran Turismo HD, and Final Fantasy XIII . Bottom Line: The machine's raw power, top-line high-definition support, and built-in support for all PlayStation games will make this the centerpiece of many home theaters. Nintendo Wii The Nintendo Wii is scheduled for release on November 19th, 2006 for $249.99 with games listing for $49.99. Like the 360 and the PS3, Nintendo's Wii is also backward compatible, but unlike those systems, the Wii will play games dating back to the mid-1980s. How? The Wii's drive is compatible with GameCube discs, while NES, SNES, and Nintendo 64 games--even select titles from the TurboGrafx 16 and Sega Genesis--are to be available through Nintendo's Virtual Console download service for beteen $5 - $10 each. In fact, Wii is designed to be always connected to the Internet, either through built-in wi-fi or LAN adapter, and will automatically download surprises and game updates even when the console is off. Also, the Wii will come with a game compilation called Wii Sports, including tennis,golf, baseball and bowling games, that will show off the console's intuitive new controlerAt its heart, the system is a game machine. It boasts 512 MB of internal flash memory, wireless controllers, two USB 2.0 ports, a slot for SD memory expansion, and built-in Wi-Fi access. The real revolution in this system, though, is its controller. Shaped like a TV remote, the Wii Remote has been designed to be easily used by people regardless of their video game experience. Sensors determine the controller's position is in 3-D space, which means that racing-game steering and sword fighting moves, for example, are done through movements of your hand rather than by just your thumbs. Most Anticipated Games: Metroid Prime 3 Corruption , Super Mario Galaxy , and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Bottom Line: Built-in wi-fi and downloadable legacy titles make this a Nintendo fan's dream come true. 
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