Posted December 31, 1969 by Scott Parrino

Ah, a new year means new consoles! What does the big wigs have in store for us gamers here? Well, we?re going to see an increase in online-console game systems that utilize PC elements, and new incursions into the handheld field.
Please note that these systems have yet to launch, and some yet to officially release what their system looks like. The pictures here below could be different from the final product.

Now for those who didn?t read my article on the Nintendo DS, I?ll explain it once again. It is going to be a handheld. But not meant to compete with the Game Boy Advanced?.odd? It?s dual screen effect could be combined to large screen, or you can split the 3-inch LCD screens to optimize the most of your multitask ability. In Layman?s terms, you can play on one screen and have stats on the other, whether it be a sports, RPG, or even racing game, instead of relying on manuals, or pausing the game to check the menus.
What will the future be like for this new handheld? Will it flop like the N-Gage? Or like it?s predecessor the Virtual Boy? Only time will tell for this one folks.

Sony PSP ? It seems that Sony has joined the race in the hand-held war with Nintendo. Known as the Sony Play Station Portable, this little number touts a four and half inch LCD screen and a 3D graphics engine. It also comes with all the features of a PlayStation controller, L1, R1, cross, triangle, circle, and square buttons, along with an analog and a d-pad. How will this function? Imagine holding the PlayStation controller and having the screen in the middle of your hands. What will you play the games on? On optical disks that are capable of holding up to 1.8 GB of information. Wow! Another impressive feature that the PSP packs is the capability of wireless LAN, being able to play your friends across the room without being limited to the distance of cords.

The PSP is due to come out in the late quarter of 2004, which means only one thing: Holiday release. This is probably to maximize the profit during the Christmas Season and to compete with the Nintendo DS.
My prediction for the PSP is the same as the Nintendo DS, unknown. Are the gamers in need of a next-gen hand-held, or will they suffer like the Nokia N-Gage?

The Phantom ? Where has this console been? Its been on my radar on and off, and now from their official site here, they are announcing a March 31st pre-order date. Within a few months we will see if the market is ready for this new kind of console. The system itself comes with some pre-loaded games and rentals. The PhantomNet Game Service provides a network from which you can download beta, rent a game, or even play a full game.
Now through the PNGS(PhantomNet Game Service) you can also play online against other game players. Another advantage: online customer support. However what if your machine isn?t working? Well I?m sure they have that figured out.
When purchasing your Phantom, you have optional add-ons or even switch-outs. Don?t like the 80 GB hard drive? Fine, get 120 GB, or higher. The max GB hard drive goes up to 320 for some serious storage. The system comes armed with a wireless keyboard and mouse and a wireless controller for maximum laziness.

What do I see in the future for the Phantom? Well if it does have a successful launch in March, and provides great customer support, then it can most likely become a competitor in the top three console makers of Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony. More than likely this year we?ll see the systems get a run for their money, even after the launch of next year?s new generation consoles from the big three.

ApeXtreme ? Lets talk about this unheard of machine. According to some reports, the ApeXtreme is designed to target competitors Sony and Microsoft with their respective consoles, the Playstation 2 and Xbox. What is an ApeXtreme? Well looking at it?s specs it is basically a PC that will go for about $399 suggested retail price. Designed as a PC to play on the TV, it comes powered with a version of Microsoft XP, a 1.2 Gigahertz C3 microprocessor, and a type of software that is described as ?Drop and Play?. Insert the DVD disc and play the game, without going through the trouble to install the game like a PC. To some people, installing games on a PC is not a hassle, but being able to buy a system that runs like a PC, powered like a PC, and plays games like a PC at a fraction of the cost of a high-end PC, well this is the deal for gamers who want to enjoy the games of the PC without dumping wads of cash down.


Sources of pictures and information courtesy of the follwing:
Phantom.com
Digital Entertainment News (Nintendo DS)
Mercury News (ApeXtreme)
GameSpot (PSP)