If you were to bet on a single winner in the next video game-console cycle, forget Microsoft (MSFT:Nasdaq - news - research - Cramer’s Take), Sony and Nintendo. Put your chips where those console makers did — on IBM (IBM:NYSE - news - research - Cramer’s Take).

All three companies chose IBM to help design and manufacture the gaming chips that are powering their next-generation video-game consoles, a first for the video-game industry that puts Big Blue in a powerful position.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for IBM, because whoever wins this market … IBM is involved,” says Chris Crotty, a senior analyst who covers consumer electronics for electronics market research firm iSuppli. “It gives them a very strong starting presence in consumer electronics.”

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