- February 17
- Capcom releases the Street Fighter IV video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1314.82] [1339.30]
- Square Enix releases the Dragon Quest V: Hound of the Heavenly Bride video game for the Nintendo DS in the US. [1314.94]
- Rockstar Games releases the Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and the Damned video game for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1315.83]
- February 18
- Servers for NCSoft's Tabula Rasa are shut down. [1357.12]
- February 20
- The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules that a California law restricting the sales and rental of violent video games to minors and imposing labeling requirements is too restrictive and violates free speech guarantees. [1114]
- February 27
- Sony Computer Entertainment releases the Killzone 2 video game for the PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1339.31]
- February (month)
- Unit sales of video game systems in the USA for the month: Nintendo DS 588,000, PlayStation Portable 199,000. [1114]
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Wii Fit for the Nintendo Wii. [1316.92]
- Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Warriors Orochi Z for the PlayStation 3. [1316.92]
- March 3
- Microsoft Game Studios releases the Halo Wars video game for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1313.68] [1314.88] [1339.31]
vvv advertisement vvv
^^^ advertisement ^^^
- Sony CE releases the MLB 09: The Show video game for the PlayStation 3 in the US. [1315.88]
- March 10
- In England, the 2009 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) video game awards ceremony is held.
- Game of the Year: Super Mario Galaxy,
- Gameplay: Call of Duty 4,
- Story: Call of Duty 4,
- Character: Call of Duty 4,
- People's Choice: Call of Duty 4,
- Best Use of Audio: Dead Space,
- Best Original Score: Dead Space,
- Casual: Boom Blox,
- Sports: Race Driver: Grid,
- Strategy: Civilisation Revolution,
- New Talent: Boro Toro,
- Multiplayer: Left 4 Dead,
- Best Technical Achievement: Spore,
- Handheld: Professor Layton and the Curious Village,
- Artistic Achievement: LittleBigPlanet,
- Best Action: Fable II,
- Best Adventure: Fable II,
- Fellowship award: Nolan Bushnell.
[1235]
- Sega releases the Madworld video game for the Nintendo Wii in the USA [1315.84] [1339.32]
- March 13
- Capcom releases the Resident Evil 5 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1298.112] [1315.78] [1339.32] [1442.51] [1491.21]
- March
- Nintendo announces that total shipments of its Nintendo DS portable consoles has topped 100 million worldwide. [1114]
- March 17
- Rockstar releases the Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [1313.69] [1316.88] [1339.32]
- Sony Computer Entertainment releases the Resistance: Retribution video game for the PlayStation Portable in the USA. [1316.89]
- March 22
- Nintendo releases the Pokémon Platinum video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. (Total sales: 7 million units.) [1313.19] [1315.90] [1425.55]
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A character says "You said we were going to a video game expo". Three characters jump around a rock formation like in the video game Q*Bert. [1330]
- March 24
- Square Enix releases the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS in the US. [1315.82]
- March 25
- Nintendo announces it has shipped more than 50 million units of its Nintendo Wii game console to date. [1114]
- March 29
- Activision releases the Guitar Hero: Metallica video game for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii in the USA. [1316.83] [1339.32]
- March (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Resident Evil 5 for the Xbox 360. [1317.94]
- Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Sengoku Basara: Battle Heros for the PlayStation Portable. [1317.94]
- April 3
- Nintendo releases the Nintendo DSi handheld video game system in Europe. [1114]
- April 5
- Nintendo releases the Nintendo DSi handheld video game system in the USA. It features SD memory card slot, thinner than Nintendo DS Lite, slightly larger dual screens, Opera-based Web browser, two cameras, no Game Boy Advance cartridge slot; price is US$169. [1114] [1316.12] [1361.24]
- April 7
- Atari releases The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1316.78] [1457.17]
- April (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Wii Fit for the Nintendo Wii. [1318.92]
- Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Monster Hunter G for the Nintendo Wii. [1318.92]
- May 3
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA.
- A man plays a video game, mimicing Microsoft's Halo.
- A man says "Where's my video games? My Xbox, my Wii?"
[1332]
- May
- Costa Cruises' Costa Luminosa cruise ship begins offering "PlayStation World" area on ship dedicated exclusively to PlayStation 3, plus PlayStation 2 and 3 in cabins, on big screens, and in children's and teens' clubs, and "PlayStation On Demand" service in cabins. The program, in partnership with Sony CE Italia, will be extended to Costa's other 12 cruise ships. [1306.16]
- May 18
- Nintendo releases the Punch-Out!! video game for the Nintendo Wii in the USA. The game is a remake of a classic game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. [1310.45] [1316.46] [1317.87] [1339.33] [1442.50]
- May 19
- THQ releases the UFC Undisputed 2009 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1339.33]
- May 26
- Sony Computer Entertainment releases the Infamous video game for the PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1339.33] [1474.7]
- May (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: UFC 2009: Undisputed for the Xbox 360. [1319.94]
- Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Infinite Space for the Nintendo DS. [1319.94]
- June 2
- THQ releases the Red Faction: Guerrilla video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1318.80] [1339.33]
- June
- In Los Angeles, California, the Electronic Entertainment Expo is held. Microsoft announces the upcoming The Beatles: Rock Band video game, and unveils the Project Natal camera-based full-body motion control. Sony announces the PlayStation Portable Go handheld video game system with slide-up screen for $249, and a PlayStation 3 motion control wand. Nintendo announces Super Mario Galaxy 2, New Super Matio Bros. Wii, Wii Fit Plus, and the Wii Vitality Sensor. [1319.12]
- June 8
- Nintendo releases the Wii MotionPlus attachment for the Nintendo Wii controller, giving more precise motion control. [1317.18]
- June 9
- Electronic Arts releases the Rock Band Unplugged video game for the PlayStation Portable in the USA. [1319.33] [1474.6]
- June
- Square Enix releases the Dragon Quest IX video game for the Nintendo DS in Japan. (2.3 million copies are sold in the first 48 hours.) [1320.100]
- A study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology concludes that while playing violent video games can lead to anti-social thoughts and actions, playing games involving helping characters and situations leads to retaining and exhibiting those actions. [1331.90]
- June 17
- Atari releases the Ghostbusters video game for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo Wii in the USA. [1280.17] [1311.45] [1317.35] [1318.81]
- June 25
- Electronic Arts releases the Fight Night Round 4 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1319.87] [1339.33] [1474.4]
- June (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Prototype for the Xbox 360. [1320.98]
- Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Dragon Quest IX for the Nintendo DS. [1320.98]
- (month unknown)
- Ian Bogost releases Guru Meditation for the Atari 2600, with Joyboard balance controller. [1391.107]
- John McAllister in Renton, Washington, USA sets new world record score in Robotron arcade video game: 1,236,950. [1482.40]
- July 21
- Xseed Games releases the Little King's Story for the Nintendo Wii in the USA. [1339.34]
- July 26
- Nintendo releases the Wii Sports Resort video game for the Nintendo Wii in the USA. [1317.19] [1320.90] [1474.3]
- July 31
- Worldwide sales of the PlayStation 3 reaches 1 million units. [1114]
- July (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Wii Sports Resort for the Nintendo Wii. [1323.102]
- Top selling video game in Japan for the month: SD Hundam G Generation Wars for the PlayStation 2. [1323.102]
- August 4
- Activision releases the Wolfenstein video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1312.44] [1323.85] [1474.12]
- August 9
- Electronic Arts releases The Beatles: Rock Band video game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1320.80] [1339.34]
- August 14
- EA Sports releases the Madden NFL 10 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1320.84] [1339.34]
- August 18
- Sony Entertainment announces price cuts on the PlayStation 3; in Europe to 299 euros, in the USA to US$299, and in the UK to 249.99 pounds. A new thinner lighter model will be produced with a 120 GB hard drive. [1235] [1323.14]
- August 21
- At the gamescon video game convention in Germany, Microsoft gives public demonstration of its new "Natal" technology hands-free Xbox 360 video game controller. The controller uses a microphone combined with visual and infrared cameras to control the onscreen action. [1235]
- August 24
- Nintendo releases the Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [1339.34] [1442.50]
- August 25
- Nintendo releases the Metroid Prime Trilogy for the Nintendo Wii in the USA. The pack includes Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2 Echoes, and Metroid Prime 3 Corruption. [1312.44] [1323.95]
- Eidos releases the Batman: Arkham Asylum video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1320.82] [1339.35]
- Square Enix releases the Dissidia: Final Fantasy video game for the PlayStation Portable in the USA. [1320.93]
- August 28
- Microsoft cuts the price of the Xbox 360 Elite by $100 to US$299.99. The Xbox 360 Arcade version will remain at US$199.99, and the Pro model will be phased out. In Europe, the Elite will drop to 249.99 euros and 199.99 pounds in the UK. [1114] [1323.14]
- August (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Madden NFL 10 for the Xbox 360. [1324.38]
- September 1
- Activision releases the Guitar Hero 5 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1323.90]
- September 8
- Codemasters releases the Dirt 2 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1339.35]
- South Peak releases the Trine video game for the PlayStation 2 in the USA. [1339.35]
- September 14
- Nintendo releases the Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [1323.98] [1339.35]
- September 15
- EA Games releases the Need for Speed: Shift video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1323.84]
- Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment releases the Scribblenauts video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [1323.96] [1339.35]
- EA Sports releases the NHL 10 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1323.93] [1339.35]
- September 22
- Microsoft Game Studios releases the Halo 3: ODST video game for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1324.105] [1339.35] [1439.31]
- September 27
- Nintendo drops the price of the Nintendo Wii system in the US by $50 to US$199.99. [1114]
- September 29
- Square Enix releases the Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [1321.27] [1323.100]
- September (month)
- Top selling video game in the US during the month: Halo 3:ODST for the Xbox 360. [1114] [1338.22]
- October 1
- Nintendo drops the price of the Nintendo Wii system in Japan by 5000 yen to 20,000 yen. [1114]
- Sony launches the Minis section of the PlayStation online store, with downloadable games for the PlayStation Portable. [1323.15]
- October 4
- Nintendo releases the Wii Fit Plus video game for the Nintendo Wii in the USA. [1338.131]
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. Twins play handheld video games (like Nintendo Game Boy Advance) in opening credits. [1333]
- October 7
- Atlus releases the Demon's Souls video game for the PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1338.128] [1339.36]
- October 13
- Majesco releases the A Boy and His Blob video game for the Nintendo Wii in the USA. [1339.36]
- Electronic Arts releases the Brutal Legend video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1339.36]
- Sony Computer Entertainment releases the Uncharted 2: Among Thieves video game for the PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1324.102] [1339.36] [1442.49]
- October 18
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A child is dressed at Halloween as a character from the video game Halo. [1334]
- October 20
- 2K Games releases the Borderlands video game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1338.118] [1339.36] [1442.49]
- EA Sports releases the FIFA 10 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1339.37]
- October 27
- Activision releases the DJ Hero video game for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo Wii in the USA. [1338.120] [1339.37]
- Rockstar Games releases the Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony video game for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1338.121]
- Namco Bandai releases the Tekken 6 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1338.124]
- Sony Computer Entertainment releases the Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time video game for the PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1338.129] [1339.37] [1341.95] [1442.49]
- October 29
- Microsoft Game Studios releases the Forza Motorsport 3 video game for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1324.106] [1339.37]
- Rockstar rleases the Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1339.37]
- In England, the 27th Golden Joystick Awards ceremony is held, for games released between May 2008 and May 2009.
- Ultimate game: Fallout 3,
- Multiplayer game: Call of Duty: World at War,
- Nintendo game: Call of Duty: World at War,
- One to watch: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,
- Soundtrack: Guitar Hero: World Tour,
- Family game: LittleBigPlanet,
- Handheld game: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for Nintendo DS,
- Mobile game: Metal Gear Solid Touch,
- Xbox game: Gears of War 2,
- PlayStation game: Killzone 2,
- Online game: Left4Dead.
[1235]
- October (month)
- Sales of video game hardware and software in the US for the month: US$1.07 billion. [1114]
- Unit sales of video game systems in the US: Nintendo Wii 507,000, PlayStation 3 321,000, Xbox 360 250,000. [1114]
- Top selling video game in the US for the month: Uncharted 2 for the PlayStation 3. [1114]
- November 9
- Microsoft releases the Halo Waypoint video game for the Xbox 360 in the US. [1439.31]
- November 10
- Activision Blizzard releases the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 videogame for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA and UK. (First day sales in the United Kingdom: 1.23 million units, a new record. First day sales in the USA: 4.7 million, a new record. Gross sales in first five days: US$550 million, a new record.) [1114] [1235] [1317.36] [1338.115] [1339.38] [1493.13]
- Microsoft bans about 600,000 Xbox Live users worldwide for operating modified Xbox 360 consoles. [1235]
- November 15
- Nintendo releases the New Super Mario Bros. Wii video game for the Nintendo Wii in the USA. [1339.39] [1341.83] [1442.50]
- November 17
- UbiSoft releases the Assassin's Creed II video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1321.46] [1325.54] [1339.39] [1341.76] [1442.48]
- Sony Computer Entertainment releases the God of War Collection for the PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1341.80]
- Valve releases the Left 4 Dead 2 video game for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1338.119] [1339.39] [1442.49]
- November 21
- Nintendo launches the Nintendo DSi XL in Japan, with a 4.2-inch diagonal screen. Price is 20,000 yen (US$222). Case color choices are dark brown, wine red, and white. [1114] [1338.23]
- November 29
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. Someone asks "So, you guys have any video games?". [1335]
- November (month)
- Sales of video game hardware and software in the US: US$2.7 billion. [1114]
- Unit sales of video game systems in the USA for the month: Nintendo Wii 1.26 million, Xbox 360 820,000, PlayStation 3 710,000. [1114]
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for the Xbox 360. [1114] [1342.18] [1493.13]
- December 7
- Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [1338.93] [1341.90] [1354.56] [1438.48]
- December 12
- The Spike Video Game Awards show is held in Los Angeles, California, USA. Some award winners:
- Game of the Year: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves,
- Studio of the Year: Rockstar Studios,
- Best Xbox 360 Game: Left 4 Dead 2,
- Best PlayStation 3 Game: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves,
- Best Nintendo Wii Game: New Super Mario Bros. Wii,
- Best Handheld Game: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars.
[1338.14] [1339.23]
- December 13
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA.
- A child plays what appears to be an Xbox 360 with wireless remote.
- The characters Mario and Luigi, part of Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. franchise appear.
- Someone says "I've got video games".
[1346]
- December 17
- Square Enix releases the Final Fantasy XIII video game for the PlayStation 3 in Japan. [1114]
- December (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: New Super Mario Bros. Wii for the Nintendo Wii. [1342.18]
- Year
- Video game industry sales in the USA: US$19.7 billion. [1114]
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