The PS2's stunning polygon counts and lighting effects are enough to impress even the most jaded viewer, but this polish quickly fades if a digital monitor or capture-card is being used. Early reports of the machine's lack of anti-aliasing were partially true and partially not. Software routines can perform full-screen anti-aliasing (at a huge performance cost) and output filtering can greatly improve matters without loss of speed, but the PS2 suffers from a lack of horizontal-scan precision at digital resolutions and "crawling" when displayed on a large conventional TVs. S-video and component-video (analog RGB signal used by high-end DVD players) reduce some of these effects by eliminating the machine's low quality video color-mixer from the signal-chain. A game displayed with either of these advanced cables, that has been well-crafted by the developer, can easily equal displays in video arcades, but Sony has flatly refused to create any form of VGA-box or digital output - most likely because the aforementioned scan-inaccuracy would become very noticeable. For most people, this is no big deal as they do not own an HDTV or have a VGA monitor in a convenient place for console gaming, but to those already spoiled by PC gaming or VGA-box play on the PC or Dreamcast, it might be hard to settle for analog color and detail. On the positive side, the PS2's sound quality is a wonder to behold. While there is no 3D-audio support, there are crisp highs and rich demensional effects able to do justice to the DVD format, sounding fantastic on good-quality audio equipment. So if you own an ordinary television less than 19" or have a large, high-end TV with S-video or component-video, you won't be disappointed (especially if you have a great sound-system), but you might want to look elsewhere if HDTV or VGA is your thing.

GameCube promises to fully support most major video formats - analog and digital. A separate plug in for digital would appear to remove the need for a special VGA-box. With luck, this will connect directly to a PC monitor or HDTV with a cord. Curiously absent is digital audio. Unlike the PS2, there is no optical-output for DTS. Nintendo is claiming that this was a deliberate decision to avoid high-latency of DTS, but this could just as easily been a cost-cutting maneuver to avoid the expense of the hardware and licensing. The Cube does, however, support conventional Dolby Surround with 64-channel 3D sound.

Microsoft's powerhouse benefits from the company’s long PC heritage with full support of digital video and HDTV, as well as the usual conventional formats. Most impressive is that X-Box's tech-specs point to effective resolutions between 4 and 8 times higher than PS2's. AC3 Dolby digital sound is also confirmed.

In terms of the control-device, none can show up the the PS2. The original dual-shock controller was easily the most perfect design imaginable--very intuitive and unobtrusively housing an unprecedented 12-buttons (including the L3 & R3 buttons actuated by pressing the analog sticks), comfortable analog support and an accurate D-pad. The Dual Shock 2 makes the perfect even more perfect with zero-play in the new analog sticks and full analog on all buttons accept 'start' and 'select'. Gone also appears to be the occasional problems of the vibration-effect causing the analog to cut-out. Much lighter, and yet more solid in the hand, the Dual Shock 2 is a true cut above. The system configuration is very elegant and clean with easily readable text. It is a little irritating that the backward-compatibility enhancements like faster disc access and filtering don't reliably stay in the desired configuration after the machine is turned off, but this is a minor point. Sony's online strategy appears to be a serious afterthought. It is presumable that online-gaming interfaces will be the responsibility of the game designer, in the way that the Dreamcast currently does. Strangely, it is in the online arena that PS2 may be able to really shine. Nintendo is only adding online connection to "enhance the gaming experience" and Microsoft sings a similar song (probably to avoid competition with its PC brethren). PS2 is selling itself as a true set-top box and this is its chance to prove it with high-quality internet support. Not only in gaming, but also in media like MP3, Quicktime movies and basically bringing broadband to the masses.

There is no information yet on the GameCube's menu systems, but the strangely-shaped controller has made serious waves. Smaller and less cumbersome than the N64's, it is said to be a delight to touch, and to "feel good" in one's hands. The yellow camera-buttons from the N64 controller are replaced with an analog camera-stick. The buttons are large and well-positioned to avoid accidentally hitting the wrong ones, and the D-pad is placed in a usable area, unlike its predecessor - thus making the thought of fighting games on a Nintendo platform an attractive idea again. The seven-button limitation might be a problem in complex games, but perhaps the D-pad might be used as 4 extra buttons, in the way that the Dreamcast's so often is. Thankfully, force-feedback is now internal and there is no more need to switch between attachments and buy batteries. Much like the overall effect of the GameCube system, as a whole, this controller is designed to function in a predetermined way that, hopefully, will not leave the gamer at "arm's length" from the action. Little is know about the online strategy except that both standard modems and broadband will be available. Judging from Nintendo's respect for children's games, it will probably be very easily accessed and require very little tinkering. The big N would also do very well to consider offering direct-dial gaming for games that use the standard modem since most youngsters in Nintendo's demographic will mostly want to play friends that live locally.

Nothing is really know about the X-Box's controller for sure. Microsoft has stated that the Sidwinder pad on display at E3 was just a visual aid and will not be the final attachment. Company spokespeople have stated that there are no plans to offer a mouse and keyboard as they do not want the X-Box be seen as either a set-top box or mini-PC. It will, however, be an unforgivable shame if the USB ports on the machine will not be able to support mouse/keyboard play in real-time strategy, first-person shooters and the types of games that the PC does so well. Indeed it will be issues like control support, online support and other interface issues that may make or break this awesome piece of hardware.

Early problems with PS2 overheating and DVD playback appear to have been resolved, in contrast to the original PlayStation that never really held up very well, and gone are the days of the disc-spindle crumbling, leaving an otherwise usable PlayStation worthless. Massive heat sinking and downright beefy case-construction are the new order of the day. While not likely able to stand being dropped, due to its weight, it should provide many years of faithful service, as long as Sony doesn't go second sourcing to third-world countries with low quality control as they did in their pre-WEGA Trinitron TVs. With respect to cool peripherals, they are already in the works by countless manufacturers.

The GameCube looks to be the all-terrain vehicle of game consoles. Equipped with a very solid handle and durable case for console and controller, this is a machine meant to be used. Hopefully, this time, the new analog stick will last longer than the N64's. The N64 was possibly the most peripheral-starved machine ever (with the possible exception of the Neo Geo). What happened to the days of opening up the original NES cartons to find lightguns, miniature arcade sticks and even a cool-looking robot? This is a place for serious improvement this time. We want arcade sticks, lightguns, mice and who knows, maybe even maracas! The gaming public doesn't want to feel like they are playing with remedial control-systems regardless of how cool the game may look or sound.

Once again, the X-Box is a mystery. Can a company who is used to thinking about computers as fragile, precision instruments, make a console that will go the distance? They probably have a steep learning curve to look forward to in the first year. Microsoft may sound much like Sony in the first year of the PlayStation. At that time, Sandpoint ID. rental-game shop owner Dell Bartello was told by Sony representatives that his rental machines were bound to overheat and malfunction if overused, and that the machine should be played about one hour at a time. What types of peripherals will be available? Can a newcomer to an industry as complex as this get it perfect right away? Most likely not, but with Microsoft's almost endless resources, they will probably get it right eventually.