Last week I provided a potent argument for why video games should matter to you, the non-gaming readers of my column. If you missed it, I suggest you go to our website and print out a couple dozen copies. My profound insight no doubt moved countless readers to tears, probably spilled while apologizing to sons and daughters for chastising them about "wasting" all their time with games.

Of course now these same readers are wondering, what is this next generation console war of which Casey speaks, and how can I prepare myself for the trying times ahead?

Well folks, look no further. Here's a handy-dandy, laymen's guide to game systems that will arm you for the coming battle. Come next Christmas, you'll know not only what to get for little Johnny or darling Jane, you'll know which one to pick up for yourself.

• Xbox 360

Microsoft's next-gen system jumped out of the gate first, coming out in November 2005. While I could bore you to death with an entire column just about the launch of this new console, overall it was a success, with the system currently enjoying some critical acclaim and support from both game publishers and consumers.

The Xbox 360 retails in two different forms: the Core system and the Premium system. For simplicity's sake, forget the Core system exists and whatever you do, don't purchase it. It's $100 cheaper, but lacks about $150 in equipment you'll eventually need to buy anyway to take full advantage of the system. The premium system retails for $399 and is a far better bargain.

As far as the next generation is concerned, however, Microsoft's system is probably the least innovative. It's more a beefed-up, refined version of the systems available today - featuring better graphics and a better network for playing games online - than it is something new and unique. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's just more an evolution than a ...

• Revolution

Nintendo's new system is codenamed the Revolution and it has the potential to live up to its title. While "Nintendo" was synonymous with "video games" for many years, they've actually lost the last two console wars, finishing a distant third with their systems the N64 and GameCube.

Which seems to suit Nintendo just fine. They're apparently still rolling in the dough and with their next system they are using this niche market status to take a chance with something completely different.

Since the first game systems were released in the 1970s, games have been operated by either a joystick or a controller. Both require two hands used simultaneously and are relatively unintuitive to non-gamers.

Nintendo's Revolution changes that by using a one-handed controller styled like a TV remote that senses depth, positioning and the physical movement of the controller itself. For example, wave it like a sword and your onscreen character could swing his sword as well.

It could end up a failure and a gimmick, or it could end up changing games forever. We won't know until the end of 2006 or early 2007, however, when the system is set to launch. Most estimates price the system at $199 although some think Nintendo will up the ante and take a significant loss and sell each system for $99.

• PlayStation 3

Like the Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3 is more a juiced-up version of today's systems than it is something completely new or unique. Unlike Microsoft however, it utilizes new processor technology (called a "cell" processor) and uses Sony's new "Blu-ray" disc format. I don't understand the exact specifics, but this translates to more processing power and greater storage capacity for games themselves than the Xbox 360.

This power comes at a cost, however. Not only is the system launching a full year later than the 360 (Sony plans to launch it worldwide this November) but it will be more expensive. The lowest estimates I've seen place the system launch price at $500, although $600 is more likely.

So which one should you buy? Simple: none of them. While all of the systems should be out by next Christmas, it would be unwise to buy any of them until at least June of 2007. By then, the dust of war will have settled somewhat, bugs with the new systems will be mostly fixed and we'll know more about which consoles have a future.

Additionally, the older consoles are still kicking and a have ton of great games for $20 to $30. Most of them can be bought for about $100, a great value compared to the $400 Xbox 360. And all three next generation systems are backwards compatible, so the games you buy now will still work later.

Whew, I think that's it for the moment on the video game front. Next week I'll get back to my normal topics.

Whatever that means.