The new Xbox 360 is the only updated gamebox among the three major game consoles this year, giving it a boost in the lineup for the holiday gift-giving season. But the scarcity of the Xbox and its relatively high cost ($399) give the two other big-name systems — the Sony PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube — a chance at their share of the business.

Microsoft has thrown the first punch in the next-generation battle, but, even with updates for the other two consoles not due for another few months, there's a contest brewing this Christmas. So let's take a look at the game-box showdown of Winter 2005.

For starters: The Xbox 360 got its name from its all-angles versatility — as a traditional game console, MP3/CD/DVD player, and Internet-compatible gaming system. But you'll excuse local merchants if they mistook "360" for the total shipping allotment granted Hawai'i for the console's launch last week. Large retailers including Wal-Mart and Circuit City received no more than 50 consoles per store, while some smaller, mom-and-pop operations reportedly were shipped as few as two.

"We sold out in five minutes," said Circuit City video game salesperson Joshua Stout. "We let people line up early because with so few (consoles) available, people will fight for them."

While Microsoft plans to restock Xbox 360 before Christmas, Sony and Nintendo have consoles in stores now.

Next, there's that small matter of cost.

Tracy Kahooilihala of Nu'uanu was at Circuit City the day after Thanksgiving, picking up a PS2 for her 15-year-old son, Lowen. "He wants that one because I won't get him (Xbox 360)," she said.

In fact, for what an Xbox 360 would cost, Kahooilihala could buy two PS2s and still have enough money left over for a couple of games.

Of course, Xbox 360 comes stocked with compelling lures for shoppers. Like Sony's recently released PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360 doesn't only play video games; it displays photos, and plays music and videos. That's part of Microsoft's strategy to position the Xbox as a does-it-all family entertainment system.

The console also is designed to appeal to online gamers with advanced Internet gaming features.

"It's perfect for online gamers," Stout said.

So Xbox is the latest, most hyped console, and it's got updated, advanced features. Will that be enough to deliver a win?

Many gamers, especially the advanced players, select their systems based on specific strengths or unique functions that match their style of play and the games they enjoy.

For example, Stout, 20, is a self-described "Nintendo-ist." While he recognizes what the Xbox and PlayStation lines do well, he says the Nintendo system is best for the sort of shooting games he prefers. From that perspective, next year's launch of the Nintendo Revolution, with its motion-sensor joystick, will be a major event.

Eddie Galdones, 37, of Nu'uanu, bought his 9-year-old nephew Bryce an original Xbox earlier this year, based on recommendations from friends. For Bryce and his 7-year-old sister Jonnalee, the console offers the right mix of good graphics and kid-oriented games.

Phillip Patague, 18, prefers PlayStation because of the high-profile games offered for it.

"Xbox has a lot of no-name titles," he said. "PlayStation has all the backing, and they have a lot of good games."

In Patague's view, Xbox 360, as the first of the next-generation consoles, has the edge with graphics right now. "It's really gorgeous stuff," he said. But he predicts that the PlayStation 3, with its higher processing power and higher frame rate, will be even better for serious gamers when it comes out next year.

Alex Liu and Allain Vitin, both 11 and from Kalihi, spent a solid half-hour playing "Call of Duty 2" on the Xbox 360 display at Circuit City and came away raving about the quality of its graphics (enhanced, for the record, by a pricey LCD monitor).

Both Liu and Vitin own PlayStation 2 consoles but said Xbox 360 would be on their Christmas wish lists.

Oh yeah, Christmas. Microsoft surely factored in the seasonal desire for what's new in releasing the Xbox 360 right about now.

The need for the new and improved motivated Elijah Wong, 28, of Nandi, Fiji, to join about 100 people who waited several hours outside Wal-Mart on Ke'eaumoku Street for the 12:01 a.m. Nov. 22 release of Xbox 360. Wong has a PlayStation 2, but thought his family would enjoy the higher quality graphics of the Xbox 360.

The Air Pacific pilot was in Honolulu during one of his twice-monthly stopovers. If he happens to be in town when the next shipment comes in, he'll pick up another one for his sister's family.

Jamie and Jolene Oliveira of Makiki also braved a long wait in the rain that night to pick up the Xbox as a family Christmas gift for their brother Jessie.

"It's the new thing out," said Jamie Oliveira.

Stay tuned: The video game wars will pick up again next year, when Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Revolution are released.

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.