Holiday List: All Into Games, Games and Games!!!

In preparation for the holiday season, there are people shortlisting a selection of game consoles and games to buy or upgrade to. Here's a rundown of some of the popular items to choose from.

There are basically 3 major players in the game console business today: Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft.

Game Consoles
Nintendo Wii is one of the first to redefine the gaming console business. They are the first to introduce motion sensors to gaming, bringing the fun back to the entire family instead of targeting just the serious gamers. Wii comes in white, in black and, recently, in red.

Nintendo also has the compact game consoles: DS Lite, DSi and the latest DSi XL. Most games for Wii can have DS versions although there are many exclusive DS games as well. Something to watch out for is the Nintendo 3DS which adds 3D experience to the DS lines.

Sony PS3 now comes with the PlayStation Move bundle.If you've tried Wii, PS3+Move can actually feel like an upgrade. For example, the simplistic controls of Wii's table tennis game is more realistic in PS3+Move's version. The precision is apparently different and gears more towards appealing to serious players. Read my review or you can visit the nearest Best Buy to try it out for yourself.

Competing with the Nintendo DS lines would be Sony's PSP Go and PSP platforms. Most games for PS3 can have PSP versions although there are many exclusive PSP games as well.

Microsoft XBox 360 gets a major update with the addition of Kinect, a multi-joint motion sensor system that eliminates the controller. In fact, the player's whole body becomes the game controller. Kinect is a major leap in the advancement of game consoles. The elimination of the controller brings the "Minority Report" dream a reality in your home! The potential of this technology is amazingly big and may change the course of future user interfaces in many electronic appliances and devices including computers. Since the XBox 360 is being marketed not only as a game console but also as a TV and multimedia appliance, Kinect can enhance the overall entertainment system experience in every home.

Now, if you think about it, a mobile version of XBox 360 is not a mobile gaming console like DS or PSP. Instead, Microsoft packed it in to a phone! Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 features a games hub which is designed to integrate with XBox 360.

Games
The most recent games this year include Medal of Honor, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.

For the Wii, consider Disney Epic Mickey and the Super Mario Galaxy series. For the PS3+Move, try out Time Crisis: Razing Storm, NBA 2K11 and TRON Evolution. For the XBox 360+Kinect, try out Fighters Uncaged and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Games to watch out for the holiday include World of Warcraft: Cataclysm and Gran Turismo 5.

That's it. There are technologies you can immediately get now and there are some to wait for. The best choice depends on your lifestyle and on your budget. Try out these games in stores before you buy. Remember, there may be cheap deals on-line so don't forget to check out the Store.

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