Market analysts are predicting big sales for the three next-generation consoles when they come out.

Juniper Research are predicting that due to new features such as high-speed internet and connectivity the next generation of consoles from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo will be the biggest selling yet.

Keri Allan, Games Specialist at Juniper Research found that "The next generation of machines will take a leap into the world of convergence and offer gamers a home media centre rather than just a gaming machine. Graphics and speed will evolve, but connectivity between devices will also come to the forefront. This functionality will help consoles to finally become a mainstream entertainment medium, and put the stereotypical image of the 'computer gaming geek' to rest."

The study also suggests that online gaming from consoles will reach 28m regular users by 2008. It also suggests that handheld sales will reach $25bn by 2008 due to competition from Sony, Gamepark and more.

"Price drops, bundling and add-ons will continue to be in favour, but savvy users will increasingly be holding-off making a purchase until the new hardware is ready in 2005," is also what was predicted about the current generation of consoles.