Never mind details. Most already know Sony's PlayStation 3 launches November 17 in 20GB ($499) and 60GB ($599) editions and that Nintendo's Wii, with its motion-sensitive controller and downloadable on-demand NES, Genesis and TurboGrafx games, arrives by year-end. What we're happy to report is each handles brilliantly in different ways:

Sony PlayStation 3

Surprise! The newly redesigned controller, cosmetically akin to today's PlayStation 2 joypads, also sports six-axis movement detection capabilities. Tilt your hands forward or back, left or right, while playing games like Warhawk, and characters, ships and vehicles respond accordingly. It's a welcome complement to the machine's jaw-dropping 1,080p visuals and Cell processor-powered excitement, which together allow for unprecedented game realism. One look at Indiana Jones 2007's thrilling fistfights or chase scenes, and you'll be hooked.

Nintendo Wii

Graphically inferior to contemporaries, the system (promised at a lower price point) nonetheless shines for its intuitive controls and innovative games. A two-piece interface -- divided into a speaker- and rumble function-equipped remote and nunchaku-like thumbstick attachment -- fuels groundbreaking amusements including Project H.A.M.M.E.R. and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, which rely on both body movement and reflexes. Swinging the remote like a racquet to ace opponents in Wii Sports, tennis isn't just fun but also an excellent workout.

Windows Vista

It isn't your den, but rather PCs and cell phones where gamers will find the most exciting action unfolding this year. The debut of Windows Vista, a graphic-intensive, long-overdue operating system upgrade for home computers, brings serious changes to the desktop gaming market. Greater processing power, easier program installations and customizable settings that let you easily tweak hardware and software performance are set to usher in a new golden age for PC enthusiasts.

Courtesy of DirectX 10 -- an industry-standard software development toolkit that lets tomorrow's games offer six times the visual fidelity possible using prior editions -- offerings like Flight Simulator X and Crysis won't just wow onlookers; they'll blow out of the water anything seen on home consoles. It's all part of the Microsoft's Live Anywhere initiative, which enables seamless connectivity and information sharing between platforms like computers, cell phones and the Xbox 360. Soon, you'll be able to share a single gamer tag, achievement ranking and friends list, plus enjoy a complete range of voice communication capabilities, across all media. Starting with this winter's Shadowrun, it's game on for a world where happiness is literally one call away.