Chances are you’ll be spending some time with video games tonight as you ring in the New Year. We’re guessing that amidst the periodic peek at what’s happening in New York and the occasional snack and beverage, there will be a whole lot of video gaming going on. What better way to bid farewell to 2008 and welcome in 2009? The obvious contenders will be party games like Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Lips, Dance Dance (insert version here), and anything on the Wii.

Xbox Live folks can dress up for the occasion, with a variety of new clothes for their avatar. The fellas may sport:

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Even if holiday oriented video gaming is your thing, the Xbox Live downloadable fireplace isn’t likely to warm your spirits. The festive Yule log is a decent enough idea, but just doesn’t hold a candle to the previously reported on Xbox Live Winter Snow globe. First and foremost is the cost. While the snow globe is free, the virtual fireplace costs 400 Microsoft points, or $5. In light of adding some fuel to the otherwise lackluster fire, may we suggest a few additions that would have made for a hotter Xbox fireplace:

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Whether you’ve already chosen a video game system for the family, or you’re not sure which one to get, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Determining which console is best for you and yours, and knowing which accessories are included and which are sold separately is crucial. We’ve listed the most common game console accessories and services in our Video Game Console matrix, and you can read our reviews of the top three gaming systems - the Xbox 360 Pro, Sony PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii - to get up to speed on the pros and cons of each system.

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