What is considered the best gaming system available?

The Nintendo Wii uses a motion-sensing remote, also called the Wiimote, to take players beyond the traditional gaming experience. Feedback is excellent from both end-users and technology-savvy experts. Players say they love the whole-body experience, and parents say they like the fact that the Wii gets their kids off the floor and moving as they play. Reviewers say that's the primary audience: kids, parents and anyone looking for a fun, casual gameplay experience.

Next in line is Microsoft XBox 360.

The Microsoft Xbox 360 video game console is a reviewer favorite, primarily because of its excellent graphics quality. If you're into online gaming and want to preserve backwards compatibility with older Xbox games, you'll want to spring for either the base version (*est. $300), which comes with a removable 60 GB hard drive, or the 120 GB Elite (*est. $400).

Third is Sony PlayStation 3.

Reviewers agree that the Sony PlayStation 3 is technologically the best available video game console, and it hasn't been plagued with console failures that have haunted the Microsoft Xbox 360 (*est. $200 to $400). Graphics quality is excellent on both systems, and both support online gaming.

Fourth is Sony PSP 2000.

Reviewers say the Sony PSP 2000 is currently the best available handheld video game console. It's more expensive than the competition, but reviewers say it's worth it for the big screen, high-resolution graphics and user-friendly controls. The design is lightweight and thin; on the flip side, some users say it feels flimsy. In addition to games, the PSP can also play music and movies on UMD discs.

Last on the top five list is the Nintendo DS.

The Nintendo DS handheld video game console (also called the Nintendo DS Lite since it is thinner and lighter than the original version it replaced) gets excellent professional and user-review ratings. The bright screens (one screen is a touchscreen) get great feedback for visibility, and owners say it's slim, light and user friendly. It's not a multimedia player, though. If that's a priority, the best handheld console is still the Sony PSP 2000 (*est. $170). The PSP 2000 plays movies and music as well, and it gets top ratings for interface and graphics quality. Otherwise, reviewers say the Nintendo DS is a great choice for entertaining kids.