The console wars are so on. With E3 dead, GDC and TGS remain the only two major gaming trade shows still operating (though PAX is fast becoming a favourite). This past week has been a fun one for GDC followers, with Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo all squaring off against each other.

Microsoft’s XBOX360 was showing off Mass Effect and Crysis, the latter with visuals so jaw-droppingly good you have to remind yourself it’s real-time, none of that pre-rendered stuff.

Sony shot back with a one-two punch of their new Playstation Home feature, a network environment, and a cute little physics-based platformer called LittleBigPlanet. Its whimsy has to be seen to be appreciated:

Of course, Sony’s biggest problem is still their loss of GTAIV as an exclusive. Now they’ve only got Heavenly Sword and Metal Gear Solid 4 to pull up their birches, and it’s unclear if they can stand up to Microsoft’s Fable 2 – Halo 3 – Mass Effect – Crysis exclusives.

Nintendo came out swinging with Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, and The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass on the DS. Wind Waker‘s cel-shaded look is back, and the game looks absolutely gorgeous.

My only complaint is I don’t have the time or the funds to play these games.