Late 2005 saw the release of the Microsoft Xbox 360 and by the holiday season, console gaming’s ‘holy grail’ couldn’t be found for ‘love or money.’ 2006 will see the release of the Xbox’s two fiercest (only?) competitors: the Sony Playstation 3 (PS3), about which officials have been oddly silent, and the Nintendo Revolution, which is expected out before Thanksgiving and for under $300.

Some expect the competition to be a heavyweight battle between the PS3 and the 360, but others think the Revolution has a fighting chance with its new game-downloading interface. Any way you look at it, this should be a monster year for game consoles.