With an overwhelming number of tablets hitting the market this year, consumers seem almost baffled when it comes to choosing the right one. These devices prove valuable when it comes to a host of activities, whether it's e-mail, viewing videos or shopping online. Apparently, however, the most popular activity is gaming.

The tablet's screen is a perfect fit when it comes to games and the powerful processor provides for stunning visuals and fluid motion play.

The big question, however, is how each device stacks up against the other.

Here is a list of the top three tablets hardcore gamers can contemplate splurging on:

Apple iPad 2

Apple continues to dominate the tablet market, accounting for over 60 percent of all tablets sold, courtesy the iPad2. With its A5 dual-core processor, the tablet certainly has the firepower to play games that demand top-notch hardware support. The graphics performance on the iPad 2 is said to be nine times faster than its predecessor. The device also boasts a 10-hour battery life, providing an uninterrupted game flow.

Though the screen quality appears mediocre, the iPad 2 provides an HDMI output port, which lets you play content on a bigger screen at 1080p resolution. However, the port does require an external adapter. Users can further enhance their gaming experience by adding accessories like a screen-attachable joystick.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime

Dubbed a multimedia powerhouse this tablet and netbook hybrid is expected to be a big hit among gamers. The product is believed to be launched sometime this month and will sport the world's first quad-core processor, powered by NVIDIA, for mobile devices. The system will run on Android 3.0, which can be upgraded to the Ice Cream Sandwich. In addition, gamers can take advantage of the device's docking station and attach an external keyboard, extending battery life by 18 hours. Finally, gamers can expect stunning 3D graphics with smooth game play, making it a potential challenger to the iPad2.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9

The 8.9 inch tablet packs 1,280 x 800 pixel density which provides for stunning visuals. The Galaxy Tab runs on the 3.1 Honeycomb platform and features a 1GHz dual-core processor. The device handles itself well enough when it comes to battery life, giving users a healthy 9 hours before it needs to be recharged. In addition, gamers will find the thinner and lighter dimensions easier to handle.

Ipad Android Ipad 2 Ipad