By now you should all know that Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony have each introduced their “Next Generation” gaming machines. Microsoft launched the XBox 360 a year ago and has sold over 7.1 million units according to a handy little site called, “NextGen Wars.” Last week Sony introduced their PlayStation 3 while over the weekend Nintendo dropped their Wii system on the United States market.

Each system has their drawing points. The XBox 360 has a library of games that far surpasses the competition, while the PlayStation 3 has a built-in high-definition DVD player and a vast collection of PSOne and PlayStation 2 games that are playable on the new system. The Wii, though, is priced at $250 – less than half of the competition – and sports and extremely simplified controller with high-tech motion sensors.

So do you go for the price of the Nintendo Wii, the power of the PlayStation 3, or the library of the XBox 360? For me, I’m not really sure. I’m a Final Fantasy fan, which means that I should probably focus on getting that PS 3, but I’m not looking to pay a ridiculous amount of money for a game system…which leads me to the Wii. But I also want a system with a large number of titles to choose from – hello XBox 360. Of course the XBox 360 runs us right back into that cost dilemma.

It seems like the Wii is the way to go, and given recent media reports, there is more excitement for the Wii than there is for the PS 3 launch. However, I spent a good deal of money putting together a powerful, high definition TV and surround sound setup in my apartment, so why not get a gaming system that utilizes all of these goodies?

But the thing that will probably keep me from jumping into the console wars and buying a next generation system right now (aside from price) is the fact that I really don’t get around to playing video games too often any more. I began playing Square-Enix’s Kingdom Hearts about a month ago and played it for 2 days before I just didn’t have the time to settle in with it. One of the fraternity guys who I advise was at my apartment the other day and said that he’s playing the new Final Fantasy 12 and that another one of the guys beat it in 65 hours.

Sixty-five hours?! Man…if I had an extra 65 hours in my week, I don’t know what I’d do. Actually, that’s a lie. I’d sleep more!

Getting back on track, though, I don’t think that I’m going to get a new system just yet. I want to see what Black Friday has to offer this year (it sucked in 2004 and was so-so in 2005). If there are great sales on games and accessories for these systems, then I’ll probably look into getting one. If not, then I’ll probably just wait until the new year to even think about getting one of these things!