Wii wish you a merry game-filled Christmas.

DO you remember Sonic the Hedgehog on the Megadrive, Tetris on the Game Boy, and maybe even asteroids on the Atari?! The video gaming industry has advanced leaps and bounds in the last 20 years, leaving some of us struggling to keep up with our WiFi and wiimotes and whatsits.

Gaming and games consoles are now a huge business and Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo are battling it out to top this year's Christmas wish lists. New video game consoles come out every few years from each of these manufacturers, and each new version brings with it sharper graphics, more powerful performance and more diverse functions.

The recent UK launch of the XBox 360 Elite plus price drops across other XBox editions may sway many, while others will be drawn towards the strong brand image of the Wii and the possibility of working off those Christmas pounds thanks to its unique controller and Sports package.

Sony, however, hope that the recent launch of a cheaper 40GB PS3 model will provide an attractive entry point to the world of High Definition gaming and movies.

If you're looking for a Christmas gift or you just want to treat yourself, check out five of this season's front-runners.

Nintendo DS Lite, RRP pounds 99.99 The Nintendo DS Lite is a sleek and sexy update of the popular portable console, fully compatible with all existing Nintendo DS (and Game Boy Advance) games but smaller, sleeker and lighter. The DS Lite is available in three separate colours - sleek black and white may have been the must-have look this summer, but now it's all about pink. Nintendo DS Lite retains the advanced touch screen technology, allowing players to control the software with a stylus or even their finger, as well as dual screens, voice recognition and Wi-Fi capabilities.

Weighing nearly 60g less than the original, it is just two thirds of the size of the original Nintendo DS, and features adjustable screen brightness with four settings, a repositioned microphone for ease of use and a larger and more comfortable stylus. This console is perfect for everyone regardless of age, gender and gaming skills. Most popular games include Nintendogs, Brain Training and Metroid Prime Hunters.

Sony PSP Slim and Lite, RRP pounds 129.99 The PSP has an impressive array of functions for a portable gaming device. The console itself and available add-ons mean that it can have a camera, digital TV receiver, web browser and GPS, as well as playing games with better graphics than any other comparable handheld device.

The reworked and improved PSP Slim and Lite console is 33% lighter and 19% thinner than its predecessor, and is equipped with a video-out port, allowing users to view their PSP content on their home television. The PSP is an elegant portable device that excels at playing games and is a good music player, video player and photo viewer.

Nintendo Wii plus Wii Sports Pack, RRP pounds 179 With the Wii, Nintendo have taken all the very best bits of the Gamecube, improved upon them and added new dimensions of functionality. The unique controller - the 'wiimote' as it is now popularly known - is the defining feature of this console and offers a level of interactivity never before achieved on a home system.

The motion-sensitive, wireless pointing device can be adapted to an impressive range of game formats, including tennis, golf, baseball, bowling and boxing.

The Wii also boasts some fantastic platform games such as Super Paper Mario, an incredible take on the traditional 2D side scrolling plumber's adventures, with the ability to flip everything to reveal an altogether different 3D world.

It's a brilliant, innov-ative touch, which combined with fantastic graphics and the kind of gameplay only Mario games can create, results in one of the best Wii titles to date.

XBox 360 Elite System, RRP pounds 299.99 Xbox 360 Elite is the newest addition to the Xbox family that includes a huge 120GB hard drive. The Xbox 360 has three powerful core processors for fantastic graphics, 16x9 cinematic aspect ratio, antialiasing for smooth textures, full surround sound and DVD playback right out of the box.

In addition to playing games and movies, the Xbox 360 can streammusic and video from a wide variety of electronic devices, including iPods and the Sony PSP. One of the main appeals of Microsoft's console is Xbox Live, which allows gamers to face each other head-to-head online and download classic arcade games.

Internet access via the Xbox 360 also allows users to download movie trailers, game demos, music videos, TV shows and more.

It's probably an understatement to say that Halo 3 is the most eagerly anticipated console game for years. In this third and final adventure with Master Chief you're out to save the human race, all done with incredible weapons plus more vehicles, characters and challenges. The single player story is outstanding, but it's the multiplayer mode that make this game really stand out from the crowd.

Sony PlayStation 3 Console, 40GB Core Version, RRP pounds 299 The PlayStation 3 brings a new world of High Definition gaming to the home. When connected to a HD television the picture quality is flawlessly crisp and clear, and it has both Blu-ray and HD DVD compatibility, with up to 80GB of memory.

Blu-ray's vast storage capacity supports the large data requirements of high-definition games and movies and delivers pristine picture quality.

Its Cell Broadband Engine delivers an incredible gaming experience, 40 times faster than the chip found inside the PlayStation 2 console.

The PlayStation 3 and PSP are designed to work together, so you can easily exchange media such as photos, videos and music from your PS3 system to your PSP. To make the most of the PS3 get your hands on Resistance: Fall of man, Motorstorm, Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 and, coming early next year, Grand Theft Auto IV.

CAPTION(S):

A CLEAR WINNER: Sony have slashed the price of the Playstation 3 with a 40GB Core Version for pounds 299; MAKE THE BOYS WINK: The Nintendo DS Lite is a sleek and sexy update, and now available in pink; SEE YOU: One of the main appeals of Microsoft's XBox 360 console is Xbox Live, which allows gamers to face each other head-to-head online; VERSATILE: The Sony PSP is an elegant portable device that excels at playing games and is a good music player, video player, and photo viewer; ACTION STATIONS: The Nintendo Wii's unique remote control puts gamers right in the middle of the action; HE'S BACK: Super Paper Mario for the Nintendo Wii is one of the most innovative games of the year