And yes, that title would be a Mario Bros. reference, the last time I played video games with any seriousness. Well, now the Wiis have it: a surprising 97 percent of all kids under 17 play video games. According to the new study out today, 99 percent of boys and 94 percent of girls of all ethnicities and incomes report playing some form of game. Seven percent even said that while they didn't have a computer at home, they have a video game system. And it's not just once in a while: more than half of the respondents said they had played a game the previous day.

Though visions of silent, glued-to-the-tube teens dance in my head, the act of gaming is more social than one might think. Two-thirds say they game to socialize with friends and family, as well as still texting and emailing friends. One of the researchers says, "Gaming is the reason to get together — but they're probably talking about other things."

To see what the researchers say about the types of games, read more.

And the type of video game played varies wildly, from Dance, Dance Revolution and Wii Fit to HALO and Madden NFL, researchers were careful to say no video game is "good" or "bad," parents could do a better job of knowing what's in the video games their kids play. "If more parents would take the time to play the same things their children are playing — or even better, play with them — it would benefit both parents and children." Of course as with most things, moderation with the sweet, sweet licks of Guitar Hero is strongly advised.

And, no. I never saved that princess.

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