The Daily Herald from Chicago, Illinois • Page 171

WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 8, 2000 Holiday Preview DAILY MERA1.D SECTION 14 PAGE 15 Adolescents aren't the only ones begging for the latest in gaming this holiday season. With the launch of two long-awaited consoles and hoards of innovative game play, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas fun for kids of all ages. Just where are all the children this holiday season? Chances are they've eschewed sleds and Santa's village to stay huddled indoors, bathed in the soft glow of the television set, controller in hand. In reality, however, video games aren't kids' play anymore.

With the majority of gamers falling between the ages of 18 and 36-31 being the average it's no wonder the video game industry has blown past Hollywood in pure revenue- generating power. And this holiday season you better believe the big three Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft are loaded for bare when it comes to capturing your gaming dollar. Slick little units that outshine your personal computer with graphics so real- istic at first glance you'll think you're watching television have become the norm. So if you haven't picked up a controller since the Ms. Pac-Man days, and you're feeling intimidated by the bells and whistles, here's an overview of the most anticipated systems and games available this holiday season.

Nintendo DS Nintendo, S129 Looking more like a PDA than a game machine, the DS continues to keep enthusiasts mesmerized by its dual screens, happily pounding buttons to a massive library of GameBoy, GameBoy Advance and current DS titles. The system really shines, however, during multi-player competition. Wii Nintendo, S249 For Nintendo faithful, the new Wii game system offers the ultimate bang for the buck. In addition to its debut game lineup, a virtual jukebox of past Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64 and GameCube tides can be played on this powerful, catchall machine. The cartridge classics can be downloaded from Nintendo's Web site directly into the system while GameCube discs fit into the existing media bay.

For Internet multi-player action, a built in Wi-Fi feature keeps you connected to Nintendo's WiiConnect service. And listen to this far-out notion: Nintendo is trying to get grandmothers and other non-gamers involved via the Wii's intuitive wireless controller. You heard right, rather than explaining the cluster of buttons to your Aunt Heidi, this innovative controller also reacts to motion like the saving of a tennis racket, the swoosh of a sword and other mimicked move- ments. Nintendo hopes this creative approach will invite all ages to play. GameBoy ftlicro Nintendo, $99 When it comes to gaming beyond the living room, the GameBoy Micro has the market cornered for convenience and portability.

Roughly the size of a calculator but packing the same power and features as the GameBoy Advance, the Micro is a sleek package. Dig out those old GameBoy Advance games and you're ready for action. Micro- style. PlayStation Portable Sony, $250 It may lighten your wallet more than the other portables, but can the others Continued on Page 17 The Nintendo Wii's wireless controller, top of page, lets you manage the action, whether you're yielding a sword or a tennis racket in Wii Tennis, above. Nintendo's DS Lite Playstation 3 uses 8lu-Ray DVD technology.