The Xbox is the most powerful game console ever. That's not to say it's necessarily the best gaming console available; factors other than raw power come into play when deciding which console to buy. When people familiar with Sony and Nintendo's next-generation gaming consoles pick up an Xbox controller, they will notice a marked difference in the graphics quality and processing power of this machine.

Perhaps even more important than the graphics and processing power is the fact that the console comes with an 8GB hard drive and a broadband Ethernet adapter. These features make the Xbox a very solid gaming machine.

There is one problem with the console: form. The Xbox is big, heavy, a little over-branded, and the controller feels awkward in your hand. While this shouldn't be enough to dissuade most gamers from purchasing an Xbox, it is a slight blemish on an otherwise glowing system.