Nintendo: A newly announced DS update and powerful sales keep the Wii in its top spot. Joining the Wii in the hard-to-find camp are titles like Wii Fit. Supply can't meet demand and the $250 price tag and the physically interactive game-play have opened the entire concept of video games to millions of casual gamers and even non-gamers. Despite not hitting home runs, secondary companies like Electronic Arts demonstrate their dedication to the Wii and to the casual game marketplace. Wii may never get the hardcore gaming audience, but it seems to own the rest and should constinue to rake in cash.

Sony: The entire electronics company is facing tough economic times and while the PS2 is an absurd cash-cow as it nears its decadelong shelf life, nobody wants to finish last in the three-horse race. The PS3 is extremely powerful and has the Blu-ray player at a cost that should attract non-gaming movie buffs. However, it isn't thriving. It has fixed some previous mistakes (non-rumbling controlers and price options) but it remains too expensive for the average consumer.

Long-range predictors still are still saying the PS3 will eventually emerge but it looks likely to suffer its third consecutive holiday season in last place. The honchos must be asking themselves if they retain the PS3's high price (profitability) or take a temporary loss for long-range goals (market share).

The real answer lies with you, the consumer. A new generation views games as previous ones view a television. Just as it is assumed that virtually everybody has a television in their home, a new consumer base will have a home entertainment system. Which will you choose?