Videogames do finally seem to inching their way into the mainstream media. At least that’s the implication of an NPD Group Report that found that 72% of Americans played videogames of one form or another during 2007, up from 64% in 2006.

The report also shines a little light onto the hotheadedness of some gamers in defending their chosen hardware. Only 3% of those in the report claimed to own more than one current gen console. Here’s to hoping falling hardware prices will make consoles more affordable and quiet the little devils down.

The report also found that online gaming is on the rise, though not at the same pace. NPD analyst Anita Frazier said in a statement,”Despite the buzz in the industry regarding online gaming, it is still relatively small compared to offline gaming. There is still a large, untapped market for gaming in general and online gaming in particular.”

Surprisingly or not, PCs are leading the way in online gaming snatching a whopping 90% of all online play. Undoubtably that statistic is the result of WoW and other major MMO’s flexing their muscle. Out of the consoles, Xbox 360 owners are really burning the midnight oil, on average spending more time playing online than PS3 or PC gamers.

To the horror of concerned parents everywhere, children between 2 and 12 are at the core of online gaming, making up 25% of those online. Surprisingly, the report found that 18 to 24 year olds only account for 10%.

The report definatly marks a step forward for the industry as it moves into the realms of mainstream entertainment.