You read that headline correctly. The Xbox 360 is North America's most played console, followed closely by the PlayStation 2 and the Nintendo Wii. These findings come from a Neilsen poll that found that 23.1% of game time is spent on the Xbox 360. The PS2 and Wii hold a 20.4% and 19.0% respective time share.
The findings also noted that 45% of all "active" gamers are female. PC gaming statistics were not part of the survey.
Gaming remains exceptionally popular, with 73% of US households stating they own a device used specifically for gaming. I'm not sure if "used specifically" means "used exclusively" or not. I use my PC "specifically" for gaming, but also, on occasion, to print documents, read the news, or make Skype calls.
Drilling in a bit, 54% of US households own a video game console or handheld system, and the current (Nielsen says "7th") generation of game systems, presumably meaning the Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360, penetrate to 41%. I'm not sure how many Xbox's, PS2s, GameCubes, PSPs, and DS's are floating around (I'd wager the lion's share on the DS and PS2--how intrepid of me) but if you place any stock in surveys, 41 of 54 suggests the turnover's in full swing.
Handheld household penetration is surprisingly low, given Nintendo's consistent, frequently record-breaking DS sales. 23%, that's how many households own a "handheld console"
Drilling in a bit, 54% of US households own a video game console or handheld system, and the current (Nielsen says "7th") generation of game systems, presumably meaning the Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360, penetrate to 41%. I'm not sure how many Xbox's, PS2s, GameCubes, PSPs, and DS's are floating around (I'd wager the lion's share on the DS and PS2--how intrepid of me) but if you place any stock in surveys, 41 of 54 suggests the turnover's in full swing.
Handheld household penetration is surprisingly low, given Nintendo's consistent, frequently record-breaking DS sales. 23%, that's how many households own a "handheld console"
The findings also noted that 45% of all "active" gamers are female. PC gaming statistics were not part of the survey.