Nielsen Research data released this week shows that gamers are playing more this summer than last. June 2009's total video game console usage minutes went up 21% from the previous June with the average gamer logging 768 minutes, led by Microsoft's Xbox 360.

Over the last six months, between January and June 2009, Xbox 360 has proven to be the console (current and last generation) with the greatest percentage of active users (between 11 and 12% during any given Nielsen-metered minute).  Additionally, Nielsen’s data shows Xbox 360 as the first current generation console to beat out the PlayStation 2 in user hours since Nielsen began tracking the data in April 2007. Accounting for 22.25% of time played in May and June 2009, Xbox 360 is on an upward trajectory, with more time logged by Xbox 360 users than any other video game console.

Nielsen video game data released today shows that Video Gamers are playing more this summer than last. Total video game console usage minutes in June 2009 went up 21% from the previous June. The average console gamer played 768 minutes on consoles during this year’s June reporting month.

Other notable trends from June 2009 show:

• Video game consoles are not just being played by kids - just under 50% of gameplay came from adults 18+
• Teenagers 12-17 have the largest percent of play, which accounted for 25% of gaming in June
• Xbox 360 and PS2 are now neck and neck in terms of minutes played per month, yet June data shows Xbox 360 is the most active console, with the 6-month trend show Xbox 360 with the highest active users
• More Americans are playing the newer consoles. Nielsen data shows that current generation consoles, such as Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii, made up 50% of total share of minutes in June 2009, while last generation consoles, such as Xbox, PS2 and Gamecube, made up only 31% of total minutes. Use of older gaming consoles (PS One, Atari 2600, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, etc.) made up the 19% balance of usage minutes for the month.