As things progress in Iraq, soldiers have less fighting to do and more free time. What is it that they choose to do? Some prefer to play football, others go shopping, and still others play video games. Adam Allington from Weekend America has been staying with some soldiers to report on the war and he's seen soldiers huddling around the one console everyone wants: a Nintendo Wii!

In fact, even their downtime activities have changed: Video game sales are way up. There are more pick-up football games. Some grunts even have the opportunity to shop in Iraqi markets.

On base, everyone carries a weapon. That's a rule. You take it with you to the chow hall, to the gym. But, these days in Ramadi, most grunts get more use out of the imaginary guns on their gaming systems then the real deal.

In a converted Iraqi Republican Guard barracks, Sergeant David Carr and several of his buddies are huddled around a hard-to-find Nintendo Wii.

Avalith via weekendamerica.publicradio.org »