The Top 5 Most Popular Video Game Consoles in the U.S. in 2006

Game Consoles Have Come a Long Way Since 2006

It is estimated that video game consoles have a five-year life cycle, based on the fact that manufacturers have historically released new console designs about every five years.

Four video game consoles make up the majority of sales and installed systems (those already in homes) in the country: the Nintendo Wii, the Sony PlayStation 2, the Sony PlayStation 3, and the Microsoft Xbox 360. Despite the release of newer consoles, the PlayStation 2 remains the most-played console in the country and represents the largest percentage (40 percent) of consoles in use in U.S. homes.

Between 2002 and 2007 more than 62 million video game consoles were sold in the United States alone.

More than four out of every ten U.S. households own a video game console, and 14 percent of those households are reported to have more than one functioning console.

In 2007, approximately 17.5 million video game consoles were sold in the United States, and sales of consoles and games added up to the video game industry bringing in $17.9 billion. In comparison, that is approximately the same amount of money that Americans spend on DVDs each year.