Nielsen Numbers Put PS2 as 2008 ' s ' Most-Played ' Console

According to Gamasutra, research from media research company Nielsen revealed the "most-played" console of 2008 wasn’t the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or even the ludicrously-selling Wii. Last-generation’s juggernaut the PlayStation 2 claims the top spot accounting for a substantial 31.7 percent of total time played. In comparison, the 360 occupied 17.2 percent of total time played and the Wii came in with a surprisingly small 13.4 percent. As further evidence of the PS3’s struggles it came in well behind at 7.3 percent. That shockingly put it below the 9.7 percent of play time managed by the outdated original Xbox, which hasn’t been really supported since the launch of the 360.

On the PC, placement was somewhat more predictable. World of Warcraft took the "most-played" top spot with each player averaging 671 minutes played per week (0.723% of gamers) followed by Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare with 404 minutes per week (0.163% of gamers). Arguably most unexpected of all is the original Halo’s rank as the third most-played PC game, with 295 minutes per week (.092% of gamers). Halo 2, whch is also available on the PC, failed to enter the top 10. Maybe people just prefer the original’s overpowered pistol to the sequel’s dual-wielding madness.