Microsoft's Mission Implausible

Microsoft(MSFT Quote) aims to blow away Sony(SNE Quote) in the video console universe with the new Xbox 360, scheduled to land on store shelves Tuesday.

But it'll take more than the largest consumer launch in Microsoft's history -- which will include a Burning Man-style gamers' mecca in the Mojave desert -- to succeed. Despite all of the build-up, industry observers doubt that the world's largest software maker will be able to take down the second-largest electronics maker in this latest clash of the titans.

"For me, there is no doubt that Play Station 3 will be the clear winner, hands-down, even in this next generation," says James Lin, managing partner of Los Angeles-based video game consultancy Simba Group. ...