I need a list of the next generation of gaming consoles that are going
to hit the market. I hear that Sony is coming out with another
platform this year, and have heard plans of a tri-processor XBox, but
need more information. Thanks!

Howdy zumpoof-ga,

Yes, it looks like the "Big 3" of Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo are all
planning on releasing some kind of new machine in the next year or so.

Sony is coming out with the Playstation 3, also known as the PS3. All
sorts of information is available on the PS3 Resource Center.
http://home.btconnect.com/hgi/ps3/

"Welcome to the PS3 Resource Center, perhaps the web's biggest and best
Playstation 3 resource at present."

The PlayStation Reporter (PSR) has more information on the PS3.
http://www.psreporter.com/playstation_3_news.html

"Japanese media reported on May 6th that the PS3 console is in development.
The goal is to make new processor technology, called "grid" about 200x faster
than current console technology."

Microsoft is going to release the Xbox 2, also referred to as the NextBox,
Xbox Next and Xenon.  The Xbox 2 News web site has more.
http://xbox2news.com/

" ...
- Xbox 2 SDKs may have been released to developers, using MAC G5s
- Black and White buttons may not make it on the Xbox 2 controllers
- Xbox 2 will ditch the ... hard drive ... replace it with flash memory
- Xbox 2 will use multiple processors
- Backwards compatibility may be too expensive
- Possible specs: three 64-bit microprocessors ..."

TheNextBox.com web site goes into more detail on the Xbox 2.
http://nextbox.ccfx.net/

"According to a story run by Bloomberg (through Infoseek), word from Microsoft
revealed that the system will have the first official information put forth on
March 24th, 2004."

Nintendo has already announced a new dual screened handheld called the
Nintendo NS, as outlined on GameSpyDaily.
http://www.gamespydaily.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=5624

"An unprecedented approach to video game play-holding two separate
game screens in the palm of your hands - hits the scene later this
year when Nintendo introduces a new portable game system, code-named
Nintendo DS."

As well, Nintendo has announced their intent to release some kind of game
system (also known as the "N5") that might replace the GameCube, at least
according to the Nintendophiles web site.
http://www.n-philes.com/php/epfyelepyazulpfvffa.php?&viewpoll=1

"In total disregard for rumors that have come about saying Nintendo
will do a Sega and pull out of the console market, Nintendo of
America's VP of sales and marketing came close to announcing the
existance of two new consoles to replace GameCube and GBA."

Outside the "Big 3" but also of interest is the XGameStation Video
Game System development kit.  From a press release on the project.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2003/11/prweb88810.php

"Nurve Networks LLC is making progress on what is undoubtedly the most
unexpected kind of new video game system: one that users will build and
program themselves!"

The XGameStation web site has much more on the project.
http://www.xgamestation.com/

"The XGameStation is the world's first video game system development kit.
The kit comes with an assembled XGameStation console, a blank, ready-to-use
game cartridge, a CD containing all system software and tools necessary to
develop for the system, and of course, an extensive eBook that explains how
the system was designed and how it works from the ground up."

Here are some more links that might interest you:

The first two are reports from the CNN web site.
http://money.cnn.com/2004/01/28/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/
http://money.cnn.com/2003/11/13/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/

The Xbox Reporter:
http://www.xbreporter.com/xbox_2_news.php

Wired.com:
http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,62064,00.html

The U.K. based Register:
http://212.100.234.54/content/54/29001.html

A message base with various rumors:
http://forums.sudhian.com/messageview.cfm?catid=84&threadid=48208&STARTPAGE=1

Gamers TV web site article:
http://www.gamers.tv/articles/2403/

Mac News Network (MacNN) article:
http://www.macnn.com/news/23232

If you need any clarification, feel free to ask.


Search Strategy:

Google search on: new Sony Playstation
://www.google.com/search?q=new+Sony+Playstation

Google search on: new Microsoft Xbox
://www.google.com/search?q=new+Microsoft+Xbox

Google search on: new Nintendo GameCube
://www.google.com/search?q=new+Nintendo+GameCube

Also did Google searches on:

"Playstation 3"
"PS3"
"Nintendo DS"
"Nintendo N5"
"Xbox 2"

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

---

Clarification of Answer by denco-ga on 08 Apr 2004 22:49 PDT

There is buzz about the Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable) as well; from a UGO
web page.
http://www.ugo.com/channels/games/features/psp/default.asp

"Rather, the PlayStation Portable (PSP) seemingly hopes to challenge not the
Game Boy directly, but the standards of handheld gaming overall."

Although interesting, the systems that d313373r-ga mentions in the Comments
have their work cut out for them.  Two are from "start-up" companies and the
third, although from a large company, Apex Digital, Inc., has a price point
that might hurt its chances.  Here is the Apex page for the ApeXtreme game
console.
http://www.apexdigitalinc.com/proddetail.asp?category=ApeXtreme&subcat=&linenumber=76&c=4

"Apextreme (pronounced "APEX EXTREME") is a DVD player for sure but it also is
a powerful game console that can playback 1,000?s of PC game titles available
today."

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

This answer was prompt and extensive. Thanks denco.

As well as those fine consoles there are also three others i can think
of. Infinium labs is coming out with a console known as the "Phantom"
you can find more information on the phantom at , Phantom.Net. The
APextreme (Pronounced Apex Extreme, Not Ape xtreme sadly). is also
slated for production there is more information of that at
www.apextreme.com, Finnally ther is some talk of talk of a new
handheld called the Gametrac is is a very advanced handheld , you can
find out about it at gametrac.com

My pleasure zumpoof-ga, and much thanks for the 5 star rating.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

Don't forget the N-Gage 2 set to be <a
href="http://www,redassedbaboon.com">announced Wednesday</a> and the
famed PDA gaming device, <a href="http://www.tapwave.com/>the Zodiac,
which hit the market in late 2003.
As for the Phantom, there is a lot of litigation flying back and forth
on whether this device really exists or is merely a money pit. Check
out the low down at <a
hre="http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NTk4LDE=">www.hardocp.com</a>

Although we getting beyond the realm of gaming consoles, indeed, as bdc-ga
points out, there are systems that are PDAs, MP3 players, phones, etc. that
also play games.  As bdc-ga points out, there is the Zodiac from Tapwave.
http://www.tapwave.com/product/index.asp

"Take the fun of a gaming console, cross it with the power of a high-end PDA,
integrate with MP3 player, photo viewer and videos and you?ve got Zodiac."

To show you how fleeting things can be though, it appears that Tapwave (above)
was supposed to release their "Helix" late last year, but I didn't find any
sign of it on their web site.
http://www.mobile.commerce.net/story.php?story_id=3101

"According to other sources, the Helix will have a 320x480 resolution, with
portrait and landscape modes, and will use virtual graffiti for input."

The N-Gage 2 can be seen here on the Gizmodo web site, but one could only
guess the release date, etc.
http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/first_ngage_2_pictures_014911.php

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

the next big thing comming from Microsoft is the Xennon, the XBox 2.
it should be out by 2006.

Actually the Helix was renamed the Zodiac by Tapwave.
Oh, and the Xbox 2 is expected out in late 2005, probably by
Christmas. The PS3 may follow suit, though that seems less likely.
A few other upcoming handhelds are the Nintendo DS, which is set to
come out in November in the US, and the Sony PSP, set to come out
perhaps by Christmas in Japan.
The Gizmodo is also worth looking at, it has a december release date in the UK.