Game Console Makers Battle for Holiday Buyers

Microsoft, releasing its rival Xbox 360 gaming console a full year ahead of Sony, is enhancing its unit for this year's holiday season. Analysts report that the Redmond Wash.-based firm is updating the Xbox 360 with 85 enhancements.

"Key updates include support for 1080p resolution, streaming of WMV files, an option to automatically download trial versions of games, support for XNA games, and upcoming peripherals," Todd Mitchell said, game analyst at Kaufman Bros..

"With the addition of a DVD burner, and increased compatibility with the next gen-Vista OS, which contains a TV tuner, as well as a deal with several major networks to provide TV show and movies for download, we expect to see the beginnings of a major push from Microsoft into the living room this holiday season."

Nintendo is also preparing to fight for market share this holiday season, with 32 new titles already confirmed for its Wii console for North America.

24 Wii titles, including Metal Slug Anthology, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2, and Super Swing Golf are expected for Wii's European launch on December 8, with 27 titles expected by year-end.

The Japan-based gaming firm reiterated its goal of 4 million Wiis worldwide by year-end.