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As ever, the bitter rivalry between Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 gamers has forced Microsoft and Sony to knuckle down and come up with some amazing exclusive titles for each console in 2011 in a bid to entice users to their side. Whether you enjoy some casual racing, energetic sports games or hardcore fighting and strategy games, both consoles are offering some real gems this year.

As ever, the bitter rivalry between Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 gamers has forced Microsoft and Sony to knuckle down and come up with some amazing exclusive titles for each console in 2011 in a bid to entice users to their side. Whether you enjoy some casual racing, energetic sports games or hardcore fighting and strategy games, both consoles are offering some real gems this year.

A long awaited and exciting addition to the Xbox 360 line-up has to be Gears of War 3. Gears fans will have anticipated this latest instalment for some time now, but may not have anticipated the much improved online multiplayer interface and the more strategic approach to the game. Although it does promise to make you think, Gears of War 3 does not move far away from its high octane, bold and blatant roots, so fans will not be disappointed.

In answer to the hype surrounding the new Gears exclusive for Xbox, Playstation 3 developers have responses with an unbelievable raft of exclusive titles, with 20 announced before the start of the New Year and many more on the way. Many of the Playstation 3 exclusives being released this year bring additional titles to already successful series or re-vamp old classics, making long term Playstation fans twitchy with anticipation.

One of the most anticipated sequels this year has been Killzone 3, a welcome addition to an already phenomenal game series. Incorporating aspects of the Playstation Move technology promises to add a new dimension to the game, which although high tech, will be battling it out with strong and modernised classics such as The Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection for top spot in the gaming charts.

One of the Xbox 360's biggest triumphs of last year had to be the launch of the Kinect, which saw out 2010 as one of the most wanted Christmas presents across the globe. This year, two exclusive games promise to use this groundbreaking technology to enhance and stimulate gamers like never before. Project Draco invites users to raise, train and fly a dragon using only the power of the body in this smooth, flight simulation adventure game.

Petrolheads will be pleased to hear that the Xbox crew are also bringing us the next instalment of the Forza series, with Forza 4 available in 2011. Known by some as Forza Kinect, the new Forza game does incorporate Kinect playability, but thankfully not in an invisible steering wheel, Joyride way. Instead, players will be able to inspect their rides from all angles and use certain motions to blast their opponents out of the field.

Playstation's answer to the Kinect, the Move is also seeing some exclusive releases this year, with Playstation Move Heroes offering users the chance to whip, grenade, blast and bowl their way through the levels.

Considering all the exclusive titles from both consoles, it seems Playstation is the one offering more for the hardcore gamer, with Xbox seeming to opt for more casual and Kinect based games. Could it be that Microsoft is trying to attract some of the Wii's fan base to its fun and fitness based games, or have they just run out of ideas? So whether you're playing an Xbox 360 or a PlayStation 3 this year, you can be guaranteed it'll at least compar eto this year's Nintendo Wii games.