Low-res visuals are so last century. Today's game designers are betting you'll be playing their games on an HDTV, and both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 support HD. Of the Xbox 360's two system packages (Core Console, and the more expensive but better equipped Pro Console), the Pro Console includes a component HD A/V cable that, true to its name, can produce HD. The Core Console contains only a composite A/V cable, but component, S-Video, and VGA HD cables are available for purchase.

Despite Sony's "true HD" marketing push, the grand PS3 comes packed with only a paltry composite A/V cable. Alternative PS3-branded cables are available, but PS2-branded cables work fine with the new system (branded simply means the name of the console appears on the packaging). To truly experience the vaunted 1080p HD, and to get the most out of the included Blu-ray disc player, you'll have to fork over even more cash for an HDMI cable. Cable prices vary greatly, from $100 for Monster's to as low as $10 for a generic one.

According to Crave's John Falcone, "The Wii doesn't have the graphical horsepower to handle high-def graphics, but it can do DVD-level 480p video, which will look considerably better on large HDTVs. To see the Wii's games in 480p, you'll need a Wii component cable, which runs about $20."