Nearly two out of three Americans have played a video game in the past six months, more than the number of those who have gone to the movies, says a study from entertainment research firm The NPD Group.

Based on responses from 11,000 U.S. consumers, the study finds 63% have played video games. During the same six-month period, only 53% report going to a movie.

Among some of the other findings:
- One in three gamers purchased a console or portable video game over the last 12 months, an increase compared to last year.
- Consumers who identified themselves as video game players spent an average of $38 a month on gaming content, based on spending in the three months prior to March 2009.