Video games and game consoles are expected to be big winners this holiday season, but picking the right one can be tough. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are all marketing like crazy, which only increase confusion among buyers.

Here's what the ads don't tell you: Each of the consoles on the market has specific pros and cons. The one that's best for you, your children or your friends really depends on several factors, including the types of games the potential owner enjoys and who will be spending the most time at the controls.

When most people think of home video games the name that leaps to mind is Sony Playstation. The Playstation 2 has outsold the GameCube and Xbox combined -- and there are no signs that will change. While iot offers the widest variety and largest number of games on the market, it's the oldest of the three big competitors, though, and might disappoint those looking for state-of-the-art graphics.

Pros:

• Enormous catalog of games, including virtually all titles that were released for the original PlayStation
• Lots of them are already out there, which makes it more likely that your loved one's potential opponents are already familiar with the games and the controls. Plus, it's easier to find other users to swap games with
• An online adaptor, which allows you to compete head-to-head against players elsewhere, is an inexpensive $39 -- and online play is free for most games after that
• Doubles as a home DVD player
• It's the only console on which you can play the "Grand Theft Auto" games -- as well as several other games.

Cons:

• Graphics are less impressive than other consoles
• Only has two slots for controllers. (You'll need to buy an accessory if you want to have three or four players at a time.)
• Game load times are slightly longer than other consoles
• Decentralized online playing system makes it hard to know when friends are logged in at the same time
• Limited selection of titles for younger players

No other gaming company has the pedigree of Nintendo. Its games feature a roster of characters that is the richest in the industry and its game developers are masters of their art. The GameCube is the smallest of the consoles -- and has a lot of tricks up its sleeve. Most impressive of these is connectivity with the GameBoy Advance portable system. This lets you move parts of your game out of the living room and take them on the road, even continuing you were in the middle of playing. Long considered the "kiddie" gaming company (thanks to franchises such as Pokemon and Mario), Nintendo's trying to extend its reach to older gamers this time around, though its success has been mixed (at best) so far.

Pros:

• Cheapest of the consoles at $149.99
• Very strong collection of family-friendly games
• More recognizable characters and exclusive franchises than any other console
• GameBoy Advance (sold separately) can be used as a controller -- and can store information, letting you continue to play after you've turned off your GameCube
• WaveBird wireless controller (sold separately) eliminates hazardous cables snaking across the living room floor

Cons:

• Fewer games available than other systems
• Limited number of "edgy" titles for adult gamers
• The GameCube cannot play DVDs or CDs
• All of your old Nintendo games are worthless
• Only offers one online game

As the new kid on the block, the Xbox has gone through a few growing pains. It has only had one breakout title -- last year's "Halo" -- and sales numbers haven't been what the company was hoping for. It's the most technologically advanced console on the market, though, with sharp graphics, quick load times and a handy (and big) hard drive, eliminating the need for pesky memory cartridges. And its online component (dubbed Xbox Live) lets gamers chat with each other as they play and helps friends hook up to play together. The Xbox is also the only console to offer a bundle package (with two free games) this year, giving you a little more bang for your buck.

Pros:

• Sharpest graphics of any console
• Hard drive eliminates the need to buy those $20-$25 memory cards to save games
• Xbox comes equipped with a broadband modem for online gameplay
• Doubles as a DVD player (see caveat below)
• Online gameplay is the best organized – and offers the best features - of any gaming system

Cons:

• Lack of exclusive marquee games
• Limited number of games for younger players
• Online gameplay comes with a monthly fee
• Does not support dial-up connections
• DVD playback requires the additional purchase of a $30 playback kit