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• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 32 reviews

The Bottom Line: With a smaller design, more energy-efficient operation, lower price tag, and built-in Blu-ray and multimedia capabilities, the PS3 Slim delivers a compelling package for an affordable price. Read review

Specs: Sony PlayStation 3 Slim - Game console, Blu-ray, IBM Cell Broadband Engine, 256 MB XDRAM - Integrated, Charcoal black, 1920 x 1080

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.6 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 98 reviews

The Bottom Line: Though the new Xbox 360 certainly addresses most of the concerns we've had with the versions before it, we don't think it warrants a purchase if you already own an Xbox 360 in working order with an HDMI-out port and a hard drive. Read review

Specs: Microsoft Xbox 360 S - Game console, DVD, Glossy black, 1920 x 1080

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 33 reviews

The Bottom Line: Overall, the PlayStation Vita is the most advanced portable gaming system ever made. While the price is deceiving because of a hidden cost, gamers are getting an impressively complete package right out of the gate. A healthy launch lineup is sure to provide something for every kind of gamer, and a large selection of digital downloads is available right now. Read review

Specs: Sony PlayStation Vita - Handheld game console, PlayStation Vita card, Flash memory card, Data path width=, ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore, 960 x 544

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 16 reviews

The Bottom Line: Attractively priced and full of great features, the PS3 Wireless Headset provides above-average sound quality and hassle-free performance. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headset, Ear-cup, Stereo, Volume control, Retractable microphone, Mute button

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 178 reviews

The Bottom Line: With a smaller design, more energy-efficient operation, lower price tag, and built-in Blu-ray and multimedia capabilities, the PS3 Slim delivers a compelling package for an affordable price. Read review

Specs: - Game console, IBM, 256 MB, Charcoal black

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 9 reviews

The Bottom Line: The PX5 is easily one of the best wireless surround sound gaming headsets we've ever tested. While its $250 price tag is high, the set should satisfy gamers for years to come. The software, however, won't work with Macs. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headset, Ear-cup, 8.2 oz, Microphone on/mute switch, Built-in LED lights, Built-in DSP, Volume control, Ear Guard, Chat Boost, Sonic Lens, Built-in amplifier, Limited warranty - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 44 reviews

The Bottom Line: While there's probably not enough to get owners of previous the PSP to upgrade, newcomers will find the PSP-3000 to be a solid portable gaming and multimedia device. Read review

Specs: Sony PSP 3000 - Handheld game console, UMD (Universal Media Disc), Flash memory card, 333 MHz, 64 MB - Integrated, Piano black

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.5 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1219 reviews

The Bottom Line: With its extensive digital media features, a superior online service, and an excellent game library, the Xbox 360 remains the game console to beat. Read review

Specs: Microsoft Xbox 360 - Game console, DVD, IBM PowerPC 3 cores 3.2 GHz, 512 MB ( 512 MB ) GDDR3 SDRAM - Integrated, 1920 x 1080

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.5 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 195 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it's neither a must-have upgrade for existing 360 owners nor as feature-packed as the PS3, the Xbox 360 Elite's combination of top-notch gaming and digital media features make it the current game console of choice. Read review

Specs: Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite System - Game console, DVD, IBM PowerPC 3 cores 3.2 GHz, 512 MB ( 512 MB ) GDDR3 SDRAM - Integrated, Black, 1920 x 1080

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 21 reviews

The Bottom Line: The AX 720 Gaming Headset performs extremely well and is compatible with pretty much every gaming PC and game console except the Wii. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headset, Ear-cup, Stereo, Volume control, Dolby Headphone technology

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 48 reviews

The Bottom Line: With its impressive body tracking and unique, controller-free experience, Kinect is great for casual gaming parties and workouts--assuming you have enough room to play it. Read review

Specs: External, Game console, 3D motion controller

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 837 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you don't mind the dearth of HD graphics, the Nintendo Wii's combination of motion-sensitive controllers, included Wii Sports titles, and emphasis on fun gameplay make the ultra-affordable console hard to resist. Read review

Specs: Nintendo Wii - Game console, Flash memory card, Nintendo Wii disc, Nintendo GAMECUBE disc, IBM PowerPC, 512 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Akai Katana Shin is a well-crafted dose of over-the-top bullet-hell action. Read review

Specs: Teen, Cave, Action

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 20 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Ear Force P21 headset may not support surround sound, but it is a solid stereo headset for voice chatting in Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 games. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headset, Ear-cup, Stereo, Volume control, Mute button, Bass Boost, USB bus-powered, Built-in amplifier, Limited warranty - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 27 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you can get past its tedious setup, the AX Pro 5.1 Gaming Headset performs extremely well and is compatible with pretty much every gaming PC and game console except the Wii. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headset, Ear-cup, 5.1 channel surround, 8 speakers, 4 in each ear cup, 5.1 audio controller, Detachable microphone

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 33 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Nintendo 3DS successfully offers a glasses-free 3D experience that needs to be seen to be believed. A weaker-than-usual launch lineup and some previously inactivated online features dampened its launch, but a recent price drop and a promising holiday lineup shine a light at the end of tunnel. Read review

Specs: - Pocket game, Nintendo 3DS, Cartridge, Cosmo black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: Though it only supports analog stereo audio, the Logitech F540's multisystem support and impressive sound quality make it ideal for gaming and any other source you can throw at it. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headset, Ear-cup, Stereo, Noise isolating, Adjustable headband, Volume control, Noise canceling circuit, Limited warranty - 1 year

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 24 reviews

The Bottom Line: With their accurate 7.1-channel separation, the Turtle Beach Ear Force X41 headphones are great surround-sound headphones for the Xbox 360--or any other home theater component. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headset, Ear-cup, 9.5 oz, 7.1 channel surround, TOSLINK, RCA phono x 2, Built-in Dolby Digital decoder, Built-in Dolby Pro Logic II decoder, Auto power off, Volume control, Bass Boost

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.1 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1317 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony PSP elevates portable gaming to the next level, but its multimedia functionality falls short of its full potential. Read review

Specs: Sony PSP 1001 - Handheld game console, UMD (Universal Media Disc), Flash memory card, 333 MHz, 32 MB - Integrated

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: For families and lovers of casual games, the even more affordable Wii still represents the best console bundle value in terms of dollars spent, but it's also the system that's first on deck to be outdated. With the announcement of the Wii U, the Wii is a declining console. Still, its sizable and often unique back library of games is still worth playing. Read review

Specs: Nintendo Wii Mario Kart Wii Pack - Game console, Flash memory card, Nintendo Wii disc, Nintendo GAMECUBE disc, IBM PowerPC, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The V-Moda Vibrato Remote earphones provide plenty of bass and a stylish, durable design with a handy built-in remote for iPhones and iPods; even Android users can benefit from the integrated call answer button. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headset, In-ear ear-bud, Nero, 0.5 lbs, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Kevlar reinforced cable, V-MASQUE dynamic driver technology, Bass level isolating soft silicone (BLISS) technology, Gold-plated plug, Limited warranty - 2 years

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.7 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 76 reviews

The Bottom Line: The PSP Go is a sleek and sexy redesign, but its high price tag and some frustrating caveats mean it's not a must-have upgrade for existing PSP owners--at least for now. Read review

Specs: Sony PSP Go - Handheld game console, Flash memory card, 333 MHz, 64 MB - Integrated, Black, 480 x 272

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 85 reviews

The Bottom Line: The elder statesman of next generation consoles, the PlayStation 2 has the luxury of a year's head start and many solid games. Read review

Specs: Sony PlayStation 2 - Game console, DVD, 2 x Toshiba & Sony Emotion Engine 294.9 MHz, 32 MB RDRAM (RAMBUS) - Integrated, 32-bit color / 1280 x 1024

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: The style-savvy Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator headphones earn our recommendation for balancing a unique thematic design with exceptional clarity in spite of a slightly passive low-end response. Read review

Specs: Headphones - Binaural, Headset, Ear-cup, Black, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Volume control, Gold-plated plug, Foldable

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 12 reviews

The Bottom Line: Setting up the Logitech Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3 isn't completely painless (or cheap), but once up and running, it does provide total control over your PS3 including the ability to power it on and off. Read review

Specs: Remote control adapter