Handheld consoles head to head

A number of recent high-profile releases have seen a resurgence in the handheld games market. Nintendo has launched its first touch-screen console, called the DS, while saving the Game Boy brand for the new 'Micro' version. Sony is looking extremely threatening with the PlayStation Portable -- more a portable media device than a games console. Meanwhile, a British console called Gizmondo has launched to a muted response despite a massive number of multimedia features.

The race has only just begun, but if you're looking purely at a games console, it's going to be a two-horse race between Sony and Nintendo. The PSP is effectively a PlayStation 2 in your pocket, with a staggeringly cool design, fantastic looking games and an amazingly good LCD screen. The DS may not be as powerful, but developers have been quick to explore the possibility of touch-screen gaming, making it the first choice for innovation.

The Gizmondo is currently lacking games support, but its Global Positioning System functionality offers some potential for the future. The Game Boy Micro will launch in the UK in early 2006, and it's so minuscule that many wonder if it will be clumsy to play with. Nevertheless, the Game Boy has an unparalleled software library, and you'll be able to slip this into your pocket much easier than all the other handheld consoles here.