Chronology of Video Game Systems

Copyright © 2002-2024 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: ken@kpolsson.com
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URL: http://kpolsson.com/vidgame/

References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2023 October 25.

2003

July 10
  • In the U.S., a federal judge blocks a Washington state law that would impose a US$500 fine on retailers who sell certain violent video games to children under age 17. The ruling states that the law would violate the constitutional 1st Amendment protecting free speech. [597] (July 2004 [645.57])
July 13
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US. A character says "Fry, what in Sega Genesis happened to you?". [876]
July 15
  • LucasArts releases the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic video game for the Xbox in the US. [549.78] [596.76] [644.188] [818.38] [1446.20] [1463.14]
July
  • Microsoft drops the price of the Xbox in Singapore by ten percent. [597]
  • Sony introduces the EyeToy camera for the PlayStation 2 system in Europe. [612.22]
July 17
  • EA Sports releases the NCAA Football 2004 video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube. [426.72] [427.106] [428.27,88] [430.85] [445] [644.188] [1446.20] [1463.14,89]
July 28
  • Nintendo releases the Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour video game for the GameCube in the US. [428.95] [512.29] [644.188] [871.38] [1446.20]
July 30
  • At the Henry Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, California, G4 Media holds the G-Phoria Glow Awards show. Game of the Year award: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Best Live Action / Voice Performance: Jenna Jameson in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Best Adaptation: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Hottest Character: Tina in Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball. Most Innovative Game: Animal Crossing. [567.19]
July (month)
  • Top selling video game in the USA for the month: NCAA Football 2004 for the PlayStation 2. [567]
  • Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Tengain Makyo II: Manji Maru for the PlayStation 2. [644.188]
(month unknown)
  • In Canton, Ohio, the Pro Football Hall of Fame inducts the Madden NFL video game series. [567.22]
  • Former WCW wrestler Maxx Payne sues Rockstar Games and Remedy Entertainment for using his name for the Max Payne video game series. [567.24]
August 3
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US. A character plays a TV video game with a wireless controller. [847]
August 10
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US. In one scene, two characters on stairs jump over falling barrels, creating "100" point signs, and making the same jumping sound as Mario in the arcade game Donkey Kong. [848]
August 14
  • Graphics chip maker ATI Technologies announces it will develop graphics components for Microsoft's next Xbox video game system. [597]
  • EA Sports releases the Madden NFL 2004 video game for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox in the US. (Two million copies sell in the first three weeks.) [426.70] [427.102] [428.45] [430.84] [461.36] [644.188] [1463.17]

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  • 3DO sells off its video game assets: Ubi Soft pays US$1.3 million for rights and properties of the Might and Magic series, and Heroes of Might and Magic. Namco Hometek pays US$1.5 million for Street Racing Syndicate. Microsoft pays US$450,000 for High Heat Baseball. JoWooD (Australia) pays US$90,000 for Jacked. Crave Entertainment pays US$750,000 for Army Men. Former CEO Trip Hawkins pays US$405,000 for Johnny Moseley Mad Trix, various Internet patents, and various pre-2001 game titles. [477.24] [480.56] [700.30]
August 17
  • Microsoft adds thirteen Xbox software titles to its Platinum Hits line, each US$19.99. [1128.18]
August 25
  • Nintendo releases the F-Zero video game for the GameCube in the US. [310.82] [427.85] [430.33] [445.66] [549.26] [644.188]
  • Nintendo releases the Pokémon Pinball Ruby & Sapphire video game for the Game Boy Advance in the US. [428.52] [512.104] [518.125] [549.26]
August 26
  • Namco releases the Soul Calibur II video game for the GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation 2 in the US. Namco and Electronics Boutique hold a midnight release party in New York City. [304.106] [426.64] [427.74] [430.60] [549.26] [568.26] [644.188]
August (month)
  • Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Madden NFL 2004 for the PlayStation 2. [644.188] [1445.78]
(month unknown)
  • Nintendo releases a special Game Boy Advance bundle in the US, including the e-Reader, and Donkey Kong Jr. eGame, for US$79.99. [568.26]
  • Sega sells its Sega.com Inc. online gaming unit to Nokia. [461.66] [477.24]
  • Electronic Arts signs an exclusive NASCAR contract through 2009, for naming rights to NASCAR, over 65 real drivers, 23 official tracks, and over 175 cars from Winston Cup and Busch racing series. [644.26]
September 2
  • Activision releases the Disney's Extreme Skate Adventure video game for the GameCube, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2, and Xbox in the US. [450.74] [477.144] [549.38] [567.26,70] [1128.16]
September
  • Take-Two Interactive acquires TDK Mediactive. [461.37]
September 3
  • Sega Sports releases the NFL 2K4 video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the US. [427.104] [449.67] [460.87] [1128.16]
September 8
  • Nintendo releases Game Boy Advance SP units in flame red and onyx in the US. [449.34] [512.21] [567.26]
  • Nintendo releases the Final Fantasy Tactics Advance video game for the Game Boy Advance in the US. [428.55] [869.19]
September 9
  • Sega releases the ESPN NHL Hockey video game for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 in the US. [567.26] [1128.16]
September 12
  • Sega releases the ESPN NHL Hockey 2K4 video game for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 in the US. [460.89] [480.41]
September 22
  • EA Sports releases the NHL 2004 video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. [428.94] [567.26] [1128.16]
September 23
  • Midway Sports releases the NHL Hitz Pro video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. [430.85] [567.26] [1128.16]
September 25
  • Nintendo of America reduces the price of the GameCube in North America to US$99. [478.26] [508.20] [597]
September 29
  • Midway Sports releases the NFL Blitz Pro video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. [430.85] [1128.16]
September (month)
  • Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Madden NFL 2004 for the PlayStation 2. [509] [548.30]
(month unknown)
  • At the 2003 Gamers' Day press event, Sony announces sales to date of its video game systems in North America: PlayStation: 35 million, PlayStation 2: 20 million. [475.38]
October 5
  • Microsoft releases a wireless network adapter for the Xbox. Price is US$140. [461.38]
October 7
  • Nokia releases the N-Gage handheld video game system worldwide. It features 104 MHz ARM processor, 64 MB RAM, 176x208 pixel 4096-color display, games console, cell phone, wireless Bluetooth connectivity, USB port, XHTML web browser, MP3 audio player, email support, stereo FM radio, and instant messaging. Games are available on MultiMedia Cards. Price in the USA is US$300. (First week sales: US about 5000; UK about 500.) [445.44] [449.26,67] [461.36] [568.32,100] [574.26] [939.50] [979.121]
  • Eidos releases the Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This at Home video game for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube in the US. [480.38] [568.32] [644.148,174] [1129.18]
  • EA Sports releases the NBA Live 2004 video game for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube in the US. [426.71] [428.90] [480.38] [568.32] [644.159] [1129.18]
  • Gotham releases the Conflict Desert Storm II: Back to Baghdad video game for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 in the US. [480.38] [1129.18]
October 8
  • Capcom releases the Viewtiful Joe video game for the GameCube in the US. [428.46] [568.32,76]
October 10
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. The main character plays a home video game system called "V-Cube", with a wired controller with left-thumb joystick and right side 4-color buttons, a reference to the Nintendo GameCube. [848]
October 13
  • Nintendo releases the Kirby's Air Ride video game for the GameCube in the US. [445.92] [568.32] [644.158]
October 14
  • Sony releases the Jak II video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [426.49] [480.38] [568.32]
  • Ubisoft releases the Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. [430.73] [644.159] [1129.18]
  • EA Sports Big releases the SSX 3 video game for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox in the US. [427.76] [480.38] [568.32,71] [644.187] [1129.18]
October 15
  • Acclaim releases the Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the US. [568.32] [1128.16] [1129.18]
  • Capcom releases the Mega Man Zero 2 video game for the Game Boy Advance in the US. [428.52] [568.32]
October
  • Tapwave releases the Zodiac hand-held video game system. It features 3.8-inch (diagonal) 320x480 pixel backlit color display, analog thumbstick, four game buttons, two shoulder buttons, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, ability to vibrate, stereo speakers, headphone jack, Palm OS 5.2 operating system, photo viewer, video/media player, MP3 player. Price is US$299 (32MB version), and US$399 (128 MB version). Code name during development was Helix. [460.51] [471.27] [558.76] [597] [657.42]
  • Microsoft releases the Controller-S Xbox controller in translucent blue and translucent green. Price is US$29.99. [1127.11]
October 21
  • Sega releases the ESPN NBA Basketball video game for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 in the US. [460.91] [480.38] [1129.18]
  • Namco releases the Time Crisis 3 video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [480.38] [568.32] [644.149]
October
  • In U.S. District Court in Madison, Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation files a lawsuit against Sony and Toshiba claiming patent infringement of Sony's main processor used in the PlayStation 2. [597]
October 28
  • Square Enix releases the Final Fantasy XI video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [461.144] [568.54] [869.19]
October 29
  • LucasArts releases the Gladius video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the US. [426.75] [567.26] [568.32] [1128.16]
October
  • Shipments to date of the Sony EyeToy camera: 1 million. [612.22]
October (month)
  • Top selling video game in the USA for the month: NBA Live 2004 for the PlayStation 2. [574.28]
(month unknown)
  • In New York City, Sony shows a concept model of the PlayStation Portable handheld video game system. It has a horizontal layout, wide screen, and games on Universal Media Disks load on the back of the unit. [574.22]
  • In Japan, Sony unveils the Gran Turismo 4: Prologue Version video game for the PlayStation 2. The game will include about fifty cars and five race courses when released in December. [612.22]
  • Namco releases the Space Invaders: 25th Silver Anniversary arcade machine. It includes the original 1978 Space Invaders video game and Qix. [504.33]
November 3
  • Microsoft announces it has licensed processor technology from IBM, and chipset technology from Silicon Integrated Systems, for use in its next video game system. [597]
November 4
  • Sony CEA releases the SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [430.76] [475.42] [548.34] [568.54] [644.123]
  • Sony releases the Eye Toy camera for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [475.42] [480.38] [548.34] [674.50]
November 5
  • Koei releases the Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [475.42,85] [479.51] [644.150] [1007.26]
November 6
  • EA Games releases The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King video game for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, and Game Boy Advance in the US. [426.54] [430.70] [431.48] [475.42] [548.34] [568.39,50] [644.130,156,173,186] [1138.5]
November 10
  • Nintendo releases the Mario Party 5 video game for the GameCube in the US. [477.79] [484.50] [513.19] [548.34] [644.154] [871.38]
November 11
  • Sony CEA releases the Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [426.51] [430.82] [475.42] [548.34] [570.44] [644.118]
November 12
  • Nokia confirms that hackers have cracked anticopying protections in games designed for the N-Gage video game system. [612.20] [597]
  • EA Games releases the Medal of Honor: Rising Sun video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube in the US. [426.50] [430.76] [475.42] [548.34] [568.60] [644.136,159,168]
November 13
  • Sony drops the price of the PlayStation 2 in Japan to 19,800 yen (about US$180). [612.22]
November
  • AM3 launches the Advance Movie Adapter for the Game Boy Advance in Japan. The device with play video files on specially modified Smart Media cards. Price is 3200 yen (about US$29). [612.22]
  • Nintendo resumes production of the GameCube video game system. (Production had ceased in January.) [612.20]
November 16
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. When a character wins at roulette, he says "First thing tomorrow, we're getting a PlayStation 1". [1016]
November 17
  • Nintendo releases the Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga for the Game Boy Advance in the US. [513.10] [548.34] [568.60] [644.98]
  • Microsoft Games releases the Project Gotham Racing 2 video game for the Xbox in the US. Price is US$49.99. [548.34] [568.45] [574.76] [644.162]
  • Midway releases the Midway Arcade Treasures video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the US. [548.34] [644.150]
  • Nintendo releases the Mario Kart: Double Dash!! video game for the GameCube in the US. [477.79] [484.21,133] [513.19] [548.34] [568.50] [644.152,190] [871.38]
November 18
  • Ubi Soft releases the Beyond Good & Evil video game for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox in the US. [568.46] [644.142,156,174,190]
  • LucasArts releases the Secret Weapons Over Normandy video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the US. [426.51] [475.42] [478.118] [548.34] [644.148,190]
  • Square Enix releases the Final Fantasy X-2 video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [430.60] [568.56] [644.132,190] [869.19]
  • Electronic Arts releases the Need for Speed: Underground video game for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube in the US. [475.42] [548.34] [568.52] [644.126,159,172,190]
November 20
  • Microsoft drops the price of the Xbox in Japan from 24800 yen to 16800 yen (about US$155). [612.22]
November 21
  • Midway releases the Spy Hunter 2 video game for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox in the US. [475.42] [548.34] [644.190]
  • Nintendo releases the Pokémon Colosseum video game for the GameCube in Japan. [508.121]
  • Ubisoft releases the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time video game for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox in the US. [481.46] [568] [644.122,185] [730.163] [1126.59]
November 23
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. Two children play a home video game system and game called "Hockey Dad". [1017]
November (month)
  • Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Final Fantasy X-2 for the PlayStation 2. [576.28]
(month unknown)
  • At the Media Art Festival in Japan, the Agency for Cultural Affairs awards the Grand Prix in the Entertainment category to Square Enix's Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles video game. [582.20]
  • Ney York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and Haitian Americans complain about anti-Haitian phrases in the game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Take Two Interactive announces it will remove the phrases from future copies of the game. Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist begins an investigation of whether the game violates state hate-crime laws. [558.22]
  • Sega files a lawsuit against Electronic Arts and Fox Entertainment, claiming the game The Simpsons: Road Rage is too similar to the Crazy Taxi series. [576.26]
  • In the US, Spike TV airs its Video Game Awards show. Awards include: Fighting game: WWE SmackDown!, Sports game: Tony Hawk's underground, Racing game: NASCAR Thunder, Best movie license: Enter the Matrix, Most addictive: Soul Calibur II, Game of the year: Madden NFL 2004. [576.27]
December 3
  • Rockstar releases the Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the US and Canada. [568.50] [574.9] [644.190]
  • Eidos releases the Deus Ex: Invisible War video game for the Xbox in the US. [428.41] [568.45] [574.30] [644.80]
December 4
  • In Japan, Sony releases the Gran Turismo 4: Prologue Version video game for the PlayStation 2. The game includes about fifty cars and five race courses. Price is 2980 yen (about US$25). [612.22] [644.26]
  • Nintendo releases the 1080: Avalanche video game for the GameCube in the US. [484.133] [507.22] [549.38] [568.48] [644.190] [1013.24]
December
  • Sammy Holdings acquires 39 million shares of Sega for 45.33 billion yen (US$422 million), giving it a majority stake in the company. [558.22] [576.26]
December 7
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. The "Noiseland Arcade" includes at least eleven arcade video game machines. [1018]
December 9
  • Infogrames releases the Mission: Impossible - Operation Surma video game for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 in the US. [322.68] [574.30] [644.190]
  • Namco releases the R: Racing Evolution video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. Included with the GameCube version is Pac-Man Vs., which uses a link cable for players to play part of the game on the Game Boy Advance. [504.24] [568.56] [574.30] [644.190]
December 13
  • Sony releases the PSX in Japan. The unit combines a PlayStation 2 with DVR and DVD player/recorder. Price is close to US$1000. (100,000 units are sold in the first week.) [541.68] [558.22] [597] [661.23]
December 14
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. At a shopping mall, a child plays an educational video game where the players blast the state capitals on a map of the USA. [1019]
December
  • Nintendo launches the iQue video game system in China. The unit is essentially a Nintendo 64 packaged inside a controller, with a 64 MB flash memory card unique to each iQue. Players must pay for and download a game to the card to play. The card can only contain one game at a time, but once a game is paid for, future downloads of it are free. Price is 568 Yuan (about US$69), including Dr. Mario. [597] [612.20] (October [1445.32])
  • The Hollywood Wax Museum in California unveils a wax likeness of Nintendo's Mario character in the museum's lobby. [582.21]
December 16
  • Electronic Arts releases The Sims: Bustin' Out video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and Game Boy Advance in the US. [574.30] [577.93] [644.109.190]
  • SNK releases the Metal Slug 3 video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [574.30] [644.190]
December 25
  • 20th Century Fox releases the film Cheaper by the Dozen to theaters in the USA and Canada. A Nintendo GameCube video game system appears in one scene. [1044]
December 31
  • Total worldwide sales to date of Halo video game for the Xbox: 4 million. [541.42]
  • Total shipments of video game systems in the US to date: Xbox 8.6 million, GameCube 6.8 million. [541.43]
  • Total shipments to date of video game systems worldwide: Xbox 13.7 million, PlayStation 2 70 million. [559.22] [597]
  • Total shipments of Game Boy Advance video game systems in the world to date: 8.1 million. [541.44]
December (month)
  • Top selling video game in the US for the month: Need for Speed Underground for the PlayStation 2. [559.26] [577.30]
Year
  • Top selling video game in the USA during the year: Madden NFL 2004, selling 3.1 million units. [597.15] [1111.58]
  • World market share of video game systems: PlayStation 2 69 percent, GameCube 16 percent, Xbox 15 percent. [1110.44]
  • Total sales of video game hardware, software and accessories in the USA during the year: US$10 billion. [597]
  • Total shipments of video game titles in the US during the year: 186.4 million. [692.12]
  • Total shipments of video game consoles worldwide during the year: 35 million. [597]
End of 2003. Next: 2004.

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A list of references to all source material is available.

Last updated: 2023 October 25.
Copyright © 2002-2024 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
URL: http://kpolsson.com/vidgame/
Link to Ken P's home page.

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