DIY Network

Gaming's New Horizon

By Stephanie Alexander

Whether we're spending time on the battleground or on the gridiron, the Ultimate Home Theater would be incomplete without the latest in gaming. With at least 35% of all households having at least one video console--and half of all Americans over the age of six spending time saving the planet and scoring touchdowns--we're a nation addicted to game pads and consoles.

Although the average game buyer isn't a teenage boy--it's more likely to be a 29-year-old male--shipments for game consoles in 2004-2005 were actually down as consumers continue to await the next generation of boxes (including Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony Playstation 3 and Nintendo's Wii--pronounced "we"). In the meantime, gaming manufacturers are casting an eye toward online gaming, a growing market appealing to an unexpected demographic (the majority of users are women over 35). Considering this growing trend, it makes sense to max out your home theater to encompass online gaming, a gaming console and your home theater components.

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Of course, the ultimate home gaming system would include one of each type of gaming console, a home theater PC (HTPC) loaded with emulators that allow you to play your favorite classic/arcade games, a 57" plasma screen (for the most immersive experience), and a surround sound system that gives you an auditory advantage in conquering the bad guy.

Virtual Roadster

Racing Simulator Cockpit

One of the hottest and most coveted products for the ultimate home entertainment system goes beyond a game pad or console. For the serious racing fan--when a plastic steering wheel and brake pedal just won't do--the next step is a full-fledged cockpit that creates a virtual racing experience for the driver. These systems run $3,000 - $30,000, but often include a five-point racing harness, programmable buttons, leather steering wheel, throttles and brake pedals with realistic resistance--even an under-seat transducer (for the feel of road vibration). What does $30,000 buy? A full-motion simulator that can pitch, roll, lean and elevate. Manufacturers of these high-end sims eschew inexpensive plastic for metal pedals and gear shifters--and even include paddle shifters on the steering wheel, for the latest in racing authenticity. This type of simulator is heavy and expensive, but is truly the ultimate.

Wireless Controllers

If a gaming cockpit/simulator is a little too pricey to satisfy your gadget craving, consider equipping your gaming arsenal with wireless controllers that will allow you and your buddies to control the action from up to 50 feet away. This means you can shoot, race, jump and score without leaving the comfort of those plush home theater chairs you just purchased!

Nintendo Revolution

The Revolution

While you're upgrading to your next gaming console, consider this wave of the future: one-handed gaming. If you're one to love your home theater remote control, you'll love the thinking behind Nintendo's Revolution. Nintendo is moving away from the gaming world it helped shape and into a new realm: making gaming accessible to larger audience. The Revolution's controller can recognize rotation and 6 directions of 3D space (up, down, left, right, in, and out)--all on a user-friendly controller that operates like a remote control. What does this mean for to you, the player? It means that you now can operate your gaming system with one hand instead of two. Early reviews say players can more easily and intuitively operate within a virtual world (typically two-dimensional) much the same as one would think and operate within the real world (three-dimensional). Essentially, you could physically cast a fishing line, conduct an orchestra or engage in swordplay--all with the proper arm motion and controller in-hand. Although the highly-antipated Revolution (it's codename) dazzled attendees at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show, many details are still secret. Nintendo says a new line of games is being designed to work with the system--as well as a revamp of some old classics (Donkey Kong, Mario, anyone?).

Xbox 360 and PS3

Microsoft's Xbox 360 integrates music, pictures, games and movies into a central location. Xbox Live can be used to send video messages, to chat or connect to a PC for entertainment downloads. A portable music device can also be used with the Xbox 360 while gaming. The Xbox 360 is a full-immersive, interactive experience.

What's 35 times faster than the PS2 and has 8 times more memory? The Sony PS3, of course. The PS3 features Wi-Fi connectivity, wireless controllers that connect via Bluetooth technology, a Blu-ray Drive (the next generation of DVD) and plentiful USB and memory slots.

Microsoft's XBox 360

Sony Playstation 3

Halo 3

The Hottest Games on the Horizon

With new systems being launched, look for hot new games to follow. Here are some highly-anticipated selections as unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show.

• Resident Evil 5 (PS3)
  
• Ninety-Nine Knights (Xbox 360)
  
• Devil May Cry 4 (PS3)
  
• Ridge Racer 6 (Xbox 360)
  
• Final Fantasy XII (PS2 and PS3)
  
• Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3)
  
• X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (Nintendo Gamecube, PS2 and Xbox)
  
• NBA 2K6 (PS2, Xbox and Xbox 360)
  
• The Getaway 3 (PS3)
  
• Splinter Cell 4 (PS3)
  
• Gran Turismo 5 / Vision GT (PS3)
  
• Halo 3 (Xbox)