Sony vs. Nintendo vs. Microsoft: there hasn?t been a fight this big brewing since the mid-1990s.

That was the last time three major, closely-matched video game systems were on the market at once, and even then the contest wasn?t nearly this evenly matched; it was Sega?s Saturn system competing with Nintendo?s N64 and then-newcomer Sony?s PlayStation. Sega started strong but faded quickly, just as with 1999?s Dreamcast system, which went out of production earlier this year. That left Nintendo?s powerful but costly N64 to vie with the technologically inferior but far more popular PlayStation.

Sony came out on top in that contest and released its follow-up system, the PlayStation 2, a little over a year ago to media and consumer frenzy. Though hampered early on by a shortage of units and a lack of truly awe-inducing games, the system has picked up considerable momentum since its release and now has a respectable-sized game library with several standout titles.But Sony?s head start on the new hardware generation is about to end. Nintendo is getting set to release its new entry into the hardware pool, the GameCube, later this month. And software behemoth and video game console newcomer Microsoft will release its own contender, the much-hyped Xbox, a few days before Nintendo?s system.

All three systems are very close in terms of capabilities, all three have a range of exclusive games and all three are going to be fighting for the top spot among video game players worldwide. Here?s a sampling of what each system has to offer:

Nintendo GameCube

Available Nov. 18

Suggested retail price: $199.99

Pros: Cheaper and more compact than Sony?s or Microsoft?s big black boxes; has four controller ports for numerous players; modem and broadband peripherals announced; upcoming games include continuations of several fan-favorite series including “Metroid,” “The Legend of Zelda” and “Star Fox.”

Cons: Software stored on three-inch disks that may be easy to lose ? or eat!

Standout games:

Star Wars Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron II ? LucasArts

Available Nov. 18

The sequel to the 1998 Star Wars-themed shooter puts the player in the pilot?s seats of Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles as the Rebel Alliance fights to overthrow the Galactic Empire. Yeah, just like in the movies. But don?t expect an easy ride; one of the early missions is the bombing run over the first Death Star.

Pikmin ? Nintendo

Available Dec. 3

This puzzle game puts the player in the role of a small alien who has crash-landed on a strange planet. The visitor enlists the help of the native “Pikmin” to gather pieces of his shattered ship.

Super Smash Bros. Melee ? Nintendo

Available Dec. 3

Take control of Nintendo mascot characters including Mario, Bowser and Link in an all-out brawl.

Microsoft Xbox

Available Nov. 15

Suggested retail price: $299.99

Pros: Internal hard drive; four controller ports built in; online capability; most powerful processor of the three systems; reported $500 million advertising campaign by Microsoft.

Cons: Large, ugly, awkward controller; large, ugly, awkward console; plays DVDs, but requires purchase of separate peripheral; few exclusive titles ? many games for the system also being released for other systems.

Standout games

Halo ? Bungie Software

Available Nov. 15

This high profile and much-anticipated first and third-person shooter pits the player against an alien race out to destroy humanity. The game features a variety of weapons and vehicles for use throughout, and takes place on a ring-shaped world.

Dead or Alive 3 ? Tecmo

Available Nov. 15

The latest installment in the popular martial arts fighting game series offers old and new characters, moves, a tag-team mode, fluid movement and beautiful visuals.

Jet Set Radio Future ? Smilebit

Available Feb. 12, 2002

The sequel to last year?s innovative Dreamcast vandalism simulator, this game lets players take control of a roller skating graffiti gang in a fictional futuristic metropolis. It revisits old characters and locations, adds new ones and keeps the cartoony and stylish visual flair and eclectic soundtrack of the original.

PlayStation 2

Available now

Suggested retail price: $299.99

Pros: Has a year?s head start on Nintendo and Microsoft; has a substantial library of games on the market; plays original PlayStation games; plays DVD movies out of the box; hard drive and modem add-ons ? for extra storage capacity and online play ? available soon.

Cons: Nintendo, and especially Microsoft, are coming in on a wave of hype; many of the games aren?t very good; many of the games released are sequels to original PlayStation games; has only two controller ports, so players must buy an adapter for four-player games; doesn?t always play DVD movies well.

Standout games:

Devil May Cry ? Capcom

Available now

This frenetic action game puts the player in the role of Dante, a sword and dual-pistol-wielding half-demon human out to destroy the forces of darkness, as video game characters usually are. The game has a laughable plot and bad voice acting, but don?t play it for the story; play it for the beautiful visuals, insane action and fast-paced gun and swordplay.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ? Konami

Available Nov. 13

This sequel to the hit 1998 tactical espionage game continues the story of super spy Solid Snake (don?t laugh) as he tries to stop a group of terrorists from stealing a powerful new weapon and unravels the mysteries of his past. A demo version released with last April?s game “Zone of the Enders” had gorgeous graphics and atmosphere, advanced enemy intelligence and tight control.

Final Fantasy X ? Square EA

Available Jan. 2002

The tenth installment in Square Co.?s flagship role-playing game series, this game chronicles the journey of a group of adventurers and their quest to rid the planet of a world-threatening evil, just like in the other nine. This time around, the fight is against “Sin,” a nebulous and elemental destructive force that destroys the main character, Tidus?, home city. This installment looks to go beyond the usual tweaks and improvements to the basic game system to present a whole new style of play and an involving story.

Images used in this article courtesy of The Gaming Intelligence Agency (www.thegia.com)