• Decide Between Handheld and Console Video Game Systems
• Choose a Video Game Console
• Discover Which Handheld Video Game System You Need
• Buy Video Game Consoles With Confidence

Decide Between Handheld and Console Video Game Systems

Some video game systems purely focus on gaming while others offer more sophisticated multimedia capabilities such as music and movie playback. When deciding what type of video game system to buy, consider portability, the age of gamers in the household, and multimedia features.

Get hooked on a video game console

Video game consoles such as Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 , and Nintendo GameCube hook up to your TV or home entertainment center, providing an immersive gaming experience. Nintendo GameCube focuses squarely on games, providing good graphics and video game titles for all ages. Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, and the original Xbox offer more functionality with the ability to play DVDs and CDs in addition to video games.

• Video game consoles for children age 3 to 10: Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, and Sony PlayStation 2 video game consoles offer a large selection of family-oriented games. Children may find Nintendo GameCube video games featuring Mario or Donkey Kong characters particularly attractive.

• Video game consoles for children age 10 to 17: Pre-teens and teenagers often want Xbox 360 (or the original Xbox), Sony PlayStation 2, Playstation 3, or Nintendo GameCube video game consoles. The new Xbox 360 has advanced graphics capabilities, speed, and online features. However, the Sony PlayStation 2 offers the largest selection of video games, making it the most popular video game console by a large margin. The original Xbox and Nintendo GameCube have a slight edge in graphics quality over the PlayStation 2, but have fewer video games.

• Video game consoles for adults age 18+: Adults looking for the latest video game console with the fastest speeds, most advanced graphics, and online gaming features typically choose Xbox 360 or the Playstation 3. However, with the largest selection of games and ability to play back PlayStation One games and Playstation 2 games, Sony's PlayStation 3 has a larger share of the market. The original Xbox and Nintendo GameCube have a slight edge in graphics over the PlayStation 2, but have fewer games. Nostalgic adult gamers who want to enjoy classic games may also want to consider vintage Nintendo NES, Atari 2600, or Sega Genesis video game consoles.

Pick up a handheld video game system

Portable and compact handheld video game systems come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors and allow you to take your video games on the road. Popular handheld video game systems include Game Boy Advance Micro, Game Boy Advance SP, Sony PSP, and Nintendo DS. Game Boy Advance SP and Nintendo DS focus on gaming functionality, with a large selection of video games available. Sony PSP, a more multi-faceted handheld video game system, has advanced graphic capabilities, can play movies in UMD format, and store digital pictures. Future software updates will likely allow the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP to perform other tasks.

• Handheld video game systems for children age 3 to 10: Nintendo's Game Boy Micro and Game Boy Advance SP handheld video game systems support video games with simple, easy-to-understand graphics and make a good choice for children. Both handheld video game systems support the same video games, but Game Boy Micro is more compact and can provide better lighting for indoor and outdoor play.

• Handheld video game systems for children age 10 to 17: Teens and pre-teens typically like Game Boy Advance SP, and Game Boy Micro handheld video game systems. All play the same library of video games, but vary in size and shape. Cost-effective Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP have hundreds of video game titles available, but not many are geared toward older teens. For older teenagers approaching adulthood, consider the more sophisticated Sony PSP and Nintendo DS.

• Handheld video game systems for adults age 18+: Sony PSP and Nintendo DS have great game play and sophisticated features that appeal to hardcore, usually older, gamers. Each provide rich graphics, Wi-Fi capabilities, and tend to provide more titles suited for mature gamers than Game Boy Advance SP. Select a handheld video game system for adult gamers according to their design, functionality, and video game title preferences.

Choose a Video Game Console

The latest batch of 2005 and 2006 video game consoles represent another quantum leap forward in video game graphics, online play, and functionality. Microsoft launched Xbox 360 in November 2005. Sony and Nintendo will introduce new systems in 2006, hoping to make a splash with PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Revolution. They aim to satisfy hardcore gamers with an intense craving for cutting-edge technology, superior graphics, new peripherals, a richer online experience, more multimedia functionality than their predecessors, and advanced game play options (such as game downloads).

Today’s most common video game consoles — Sony PlayStation 2 (PS2),Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3), Microsoft Xbox 360 , and Nintendo GameCube — first became available in 2000 and 2001. Because they've been available for a few years, you can find a vast selection of enjoyable PS2 video games, Xbox video games, and GameCube video games at reasonable prices. However, expect fewer new titles as the latest video game consoles increase in popularity and their video games gain a larger share of the market.

Explore Microsoft Xbox and Xbox 360

At its release, Microsoft and the gaming industry hailed Xbox 360 as the most powerful gaming console ever, offering impressive graphics processing speed, features, and functionality. Just plug Xbox 360 into a power socket and broadband line and leave it on. Once logged onto Xbox Live (Microsoft's online gaming service and the gold standard of online console gaming), Xbox 360 automatically updates with new content and can serve as a multimedia Internet hub in the family room.

Although known for its online gaming experience, advanced multimedia capabilities, and replaceable faceplates, Xbox 360 also has more traditional features such as the ability to play DVDs and CDs. It supports up to four controllers and already has popular video games available, including Madden NFL 2006, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Burnout Revenge, Perfect Dark Zero, Quake 4, and Saint's Row.

Xbox 360 comes in two formats: a stripped-down Xbox 360 Core System and the standard Xbox 360 Premium Edition.

• Xbox 360 Core System: Xbox 360 Core System allows you to purchase most peripherals separately as upgrades to customize your video game system. It stores information on memory cards, sold separately.

• Xbox 360 Premium Edition: Xbox 360 Premium Edition has a 20GB hard drive and comes with an assortment of peripherals, including a wireless controller, wireless headset, universal media remote, and high-definition video cables. The 20GB hard drive is essential for playing older Xbox video games.

Xbox, released in 2001, was Microsoft's first successful foray into the video game console business. Over the years, more than 800 Xbox video games became available, and most support Xbox Live. Xbox offers higher-quality graphics and greater processing speed than the PS2, producing more realistic environments and faster game load times. You can find a slate of exclusive hit Xbox video game titles, including the popular Halo series, as well as enhanced version of PS2 mainstays such as Madden NFL, Need for Speed, Grand Theft Auto, and Splinter Cell. Xbox can play DVDs (with optional DVD controller) and music CDs and has built-in online connectivity. You can also use the built-in 10GB hard drive to store downloaded games and content as well as your personal CD tracks.

Anticipate Sony PlayStation excitement

Sony released PlayStation 2 (PS2) in 2000 as the follow-up to its original PlayStation, which captured the home video game market from former powerhouses Nintendo and Sega. With the ability to play back more than 1,600 PS2 video games and the entire library of more than 1,300 PlayStation video games, PS2 has the widest selection of playable video game titles in the history of video gaming. Popular PS2 video games include Grand Theft Auto, Gran Turismo, Final Fantasy, Medal of Honor, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Tekken, Madden NFL, Crash Bandicoot, and Sly Cooper.

PS2 can also play commercial DVDs and CDs, making it a welcome addition to the living room for gamers and family members looking for multimedia features alike. PS2 supports two controllers (as well as multi-tap connectivity for up to eight simultaneous players), has online connectivity with a separate network adaptor, and has a separate 20GB hard drive to store downloadable content. PS2 also supports a plethora of accessories and peripherals including wireless controllers, driving controllers, and Eye Toy, a device used in virtual reality games.

Sony (tentatively) promises that the PlayStation 3 (PS3) will deliver higher processing speeds and more powerful graphic capabilities than Xbox 360 and demos show lifelike, cinematic-quality computer-generated graphics. PS3 will play back CDs, DVDs, PS2 video games, and PlayStation One video games, which can easily make it the media center of your living room. Plus, new video games specifically designed for the PS3 system will be distributed on Sony's new proprietary Blu-ray disc, which can hold the equivalent of more than five DVDs worth of content. PS3 will be online capable, can connect wirelessly to the PSP, and support up to seven game controllers. Numerous games are in development and you can be assured that long-standing Sony franchises such as Gran Turismo, Kill Zone, and Sly Cooper are all planned for the PS3 debut.

Join the Nintendo revolution

Nintendo, the originator of modern home video games, launched its first advanced game system, Nintendo GameCube, shortly after PS2 and Xbox entered the market. Instead of trying to outmuscle the PS2 and Xbox in terms of graphics, processing speed, and multimedia features, Nintendo used a different strategy for the GameCube, producing a designated gaming console. Many think of GameCube as a "kids' game system" because it offers a wide selection of family-oriented video game titles featuring characters from the worlds of Mario, Pokémon, and The Legend of Zelda. However, with more than 500 GameCube video games available, you'll also find video games for teens and adults such as Resident Evil, Medal of Honor, and Metroid Prime.

Unlike the competition, GameCube video games use a proprietary mini-size game disc, do not play DVDs, and it does not take advantage of its online capabilities. Instead, GameCube has the ability to connect to Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP handheld video game systems and Nintendo offers innovation in unique peripherals such as its DK Bongo controllers for Donkey Konga and microphone controller for Super Mario Party 6. GameCube was also the first video game console to set a wireless controller standard with its WaveBird controller.

Nintendo’s new video game console, the Nintendo Revolution, is slated for release in 2006. Sticking with tradition, Nintendo Revolution will be a strict gaming machine that can also play DVD movies and Nintendo GameCube games. According to Nintendo, Revolution will support four controllers and have built-in Wi-Fi, which gives you the ability to connect to a wireless home network or Nintendo DS and play Wi-Fi-enabled video games on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection network. Nintendo Revolution will also have a "virtual console" that allows users to download practically any Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo, and Nintendo NES video game ever made, equaling thousands of video game titles. Expect Revolution-ready versions of powerhouse franchises such as Mario, Zelda, and Donkey Kong to debut with the Nintendo Revolution console as well.

Discover Which Handheld Video Game System You Need

The newest generation of handheld video game systems includes Nintendo DS and Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP). But slightly older Nintendo Game Boy Advance (released 2001) and Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP (released 2003) are still more common and have a large selection of games available at reasonable prices.

• Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP): Sony decided to challenge Nintendo's monopoly of the handheld gaming market by introducing PlayStation Portable (PSP) in 2005. PSP marks the first time a handheld system's graphics and game play compare to that of its console cousins, offering the highest quality graphics of any handheld video game system on the market. PSP features a large, crystal-clear 4-inch LCD screen and is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing you to play wireless multiplayer games or access the Web via a wireless network. PSP plays a wide variety of games on its proprietary Universal Media Disc (UMD) format, with more than 50 PSP video games currently available including Lumines, Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade, Wipeout Pure, Coded Arms, Metal Gear Acid, Dynasty Warriors, Need for Speed Underground: Rivals, and Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix. In addition, many PS2 video games are now being simultaneously released for PSP, offering the same game experience. For example, you'll find handheld versions of some of the most popular PS2 franchises such as Madden NFL, Grand Theft Auto, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour.
  
  When PlayStation 3 (PS3) launches later this year, PSP will be able to connect to it to transfer game saves and media to and from the new console's hard drive. Sony also anticipates that you'll be able to wirelessly connect PSP to PS3 and use your PSP as a video-enabled game controller. But PSP is more than a gaming machine; it offers impressive video and audio capabilities. PSP can work as an MP3 player, digital picture viewer, and video player, playing back UMD movies and video saved to a Sony Memory Stick Duo. Hollywood already embraced the UMD format and continues to flood the market with new movies and cult classics on UMD, but Sony and its third-party accessory licensors are just beginning to explore the multimedia capabilities of the PSP. Expect to see a lot from PSP in the future.

• Nintendo DS: Released in 2005, Nintendo DS uses new technology that makes it completely different from other Nintendo handheld video game systems. "DS" stands for "Dual Screen." As the name implies, Nintendo DS has two game screens for simultaneous game play. You can control the touch-sensitive bottom screen with a stylus, your finger, or even your breath. Nintendo DS can also respond to voice commands. Plus, wireless compatibility and a built-in chat program allow you to send messages, hand-drawings, and multiplayer DS video games to other Nintendo DS owners within 150 feet of your location. Nintendo DS currently supports more than 40 Nintendo DS video games — including Metroid Prime Hunters, Nintendogs, Meteos, and Wario Ware Touched! — that take advantage of the handheld system's unique capabilities and Nintendo has big plans for more Wi-Fi games in 2006 that allow users to log onto wireless networks for online play without proximity limitations. Other key Nintendo DS video games include Trauma Center: Under the Knife, Advance Wars, Polarium, and Feel the Magic: XY/XX. Of course, Nintendo DS can also play back the entire library of more than 1,000 Game Boy games.

• Nintendo Game Boy Micro: Game Boy Micro is considered the "cream of the crop" of Game Boys. Just released in 2005, this is the smallest Game Boy ever made at about half the size and weight of Game Boy Advance SP. Game Boy Micro has a sleek design and smaller backlit screen with adjustable brightness that offers the brightest, clearest graphics ever for any Game Boy. Game Boy Micro plays the entire library of 1,000+ Game Boy games and you can customize it with different interchangeable faceplates. Key Game Boy Micro video games include Advance Wars, Boktai, Golden Sun, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Fire Emblem, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Metroid Fusion, Pokémon Ruby, and Astro Boy.

• Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP (GBA SP): Introduced in 2003, Game Boy Advance SP improves on Game Boy Advance with a smaller, sleeker case, backlit screen (you can use it in normal lighting conditions!), clamshell design that provides excellent screen protection, and lighter weight for improved portability. Game Boy Advance SP video games have more detailed graphics than Game Boy Advance games, including full-rendered 3D environments such as those in Mario Kart Racing. The self-lit screen also motivated Majesco to broaden the market with a line of video game cartridges presenting 30-minute TV animation video, making Game Boy Advance SP much more than a handheld video game system. Game Boy Advance SP also plays the entire 1000+ Game Boy games library that includes key titles such as Advance Wars, Boktai, Golden Sun, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Fire Emblem, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Metroid Fusion, Pokémon Ruby, and Astro Boy.

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