The newest generation of handheld video game systems includes Nintendo DS and Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP). But slightly older Nintendo Game Boy Advance (released 2001) and Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP (released 2003) are still more common and have a large selection of games available at reasonable prices.

• Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP): Sony decided to challenge Nintendo's monopoly of the handheld gaming market by introducing PlayStation Portable (PSP) in 2005. PSP marks the first time a handheld system's graphics and game play compare to that of its console cousins, offering the highest quality graphics of any handheld video game system on the market. PSP features a large, crystal-clear 4-inch LCD screen and is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing you to play wireless multiplayer games or access the Web via a wireless network. PSP plays a wide variety of games on its proprietary Universal Media Disc (UMD) format, with more than 50 PSP video games currently available including Lumines, Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade, Wipeout Pure, Coded Arms, Metal Gear Acid, Dynasty Warriors, Need for Speed Underground: Rivals, and Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix. In addition, many PS2 video games are now being simultaneously released for PSP, offering the same game experience. For example, you'll find handheld versions of some of the most popular PS2 franchises such as Madden NFL, Grand Theft Auto, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour.
  
  When PlayStation 3 (PS3) launches later this year, PSP will be able to connect to it to transfer game saves and media to and from the new console's hard drive. Sony also anticipates that you'll be able to wirelessly connect PSP to PS3 and use your PSP as a video-enabled game controller. But PSP is more than a gaming machine; it offers impressive video and audio capabilities. PSP can work as an MP3 player, digital picture viewer, and video player, playing back UMD movies and video saved to a Sony Memory Stick Duo. Hollywood already embraced the UMD format and continues to flood the market with new movies and cult classics on UMD, but Sony and its third-party accessory licensors are just beginning to explore the multimedia capabilities of the PSP. Expect to see a lot from PSP in the future.


• Nintendo DS: Released in 2005, Nintendo DS uses new technology that makes it completely different from other Nintendo handheld video game systems. "DS" stands for "Dual Screen." As the name implies, Nintendo DS has two game screens for simultaneous game play. You can control the touch-sensitive bottom screen with a stylus, your finger, or even your breath. Nintendo DS can also respond to voice commands. Plus, wireless compatibility and a built-in chat program allow you to send messages, hand-drawings, and multiplayer DS video games to other Nintendo DS owners within 150 feet of your location. Nintendo DS currently supports more than 40 Nintendo DS video games — including Metroid Prime Hunters, Nintendogs, Meteos, and Wario Ware Touched! — that take advantage of the handheld system's unique capabilities and Nintendo has big plans for more Wi-Fi games in 2006 that allow users to log onto wireless networks for online play without proximity limitations. Other key Nintendo DS video games include Trauma Center: Under the Knife, Advance Wars, Polarium, and Feel the Magic: XY/XX. Of course, Nintendo DS can also play back the entire library of more than 1,000 Game Boy games.


• Nintendo Game Boy Micro: Game Boy Micro is considered the "cream of the crop" of Game Boys. Just released in 2005, this is the smallest Game Boy ever made at about half the size and weight of Game Boy Advance SP. Game Boy Micro has a sleek design and smaller backlit screen with adjustable brightness that offers the brightest, clearest graphics ever for any Game Boy. Game Boy Micro plays the entire library of 1,000+ Game Boy games and you can customize it with different interchangeable faceplates. Key Game Boy Micro video games include Advance Wars, Boktai, Golden Sun, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Fire Emblem, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Metroid Fusion, Pokémon Ruby, and Astro Boy.


• Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP (GBA SP): Introduced in 2003, Game Boy Advance SP improves on Game Boy Advance with a smaller, sleeker case, backlit screen (you can use it in normal lighting conditions!), clamshell design that provides excellent screen protection, and lighter weight for improved portability. Game Boy Advance SP video games have more detailed graphics than Game Boy Advance games, including full-rendered 3D environments such as those in Mario Kart Racing. The self-lit screen also motivated Majesco to broaden the market with a line of video game cartridges presenting 30-minute TV animation video, making Game Boy Advance SP much more than a handheld video game system. Game Boy Advance SP also plays the entire 1000+ Game Boy games library that includes key titles such as Advance Wars, Boktai, Golden Sun, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Fire Emblem, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Metroid Fusion, Pokémon Ruby, and Astro Boy.


• Nintendo Game Boy Advance (GBA): Nintendo introduced the original Game Boy more than 10 years ago and its games remained relatively unchanged until the release of Game Boy Advance in 2001. Game Boy Advance supports 32-bit graphics and has a color display. However, the display does not have a backlight, which means you'll need good lighting to see graphics onscreen. Game Boy Advance can play back 32-bit video games designed for its platform as well as older 8-bit Game Boy video games and Game Boy Color video games, giving you access to more than 1,000 video game titles including Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts.