2008

January 22

• Electronic Arts releases the Burnout Paradise video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1248.94] [1313.27]

January 27

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. Sonic the Hedgehog appears on a billboard promiting marriage. [1240]

January 29

• The film The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is released on DVD in the USA. [1233.88]

January (month)

• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare for the Xbox 360. [1252.95]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Nintendo Wii. [1252.95]

February 5

• Touchstone releases the Turok video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA and Canada. [1229.5] [1241.7]
• Capcom releases the Devil May Cry 4 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1229.4] [1248.48] [1251.96] [1313.27]

February 13

• Microsoft Game Studios releases the Lost Odyssey video game for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1229.11] [1313.28]

February 15

• At the Tokyo arcade expo in Chiba, Japan, Capcom shows the Street Fighter IV arcade game. [1114]

February 19

• Sega releases The Club video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1248.11] [1313.28]

February 23

• Microsoft announces it will cease making HD DVD players for the Xbox 360. [1114]

February 24

• Electronic Arts makes a hostile bid of US$2 billion for Take-Two. [1222.68]

February (month)

• Total sales of video game systems in the USA for the month: Nintendo Wii 432,000, PlayStation 2 352,000, PlayStation 3 281,000, Xbox 360 255,000. [1114]
• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Call of Duty 4 for the Xbox 360. [1114] [1253.100]

(month unknown)

• The Cyberathlete Professional League ceases operations. [1242.22]

March 4

• Sony Computer Entertainment releases the God of War: Chains of Olympus video game for the PlayStation Portable in the USA. [1251.104] [1313.29]

March 9

• Nintendo releases the Super Smash Bros. Brawl video game for the Nintendo Wii in the USA and Canada. (Unit sales in the first week: 2.7 million.) [1197.10] [1205.19] [1242.22] [1243.39] [1248.48] [1252.94] [1313.29]

March 10

• Microsoft reduces the price of the Xbox in Europe by 80 euros, to 200 euros for the Arcade version, and 370 euros for the Elite version. [1114]

March 11

• Sega releases the Condemned 2: Bloodshot for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1228.8] [1313.29]

March 18

• Ubisoft releases the Rainbow Six Vegas 2 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1228.5] [1313.29]

March 25

• Square Enix releases the Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII video game for the PlayStation Portable in the USA and Canada. [1228.7] [1241.15] [1251.44]

March (month)

• Total sales of video game systems in Japan for the month: PlayStation Portable 415,415, Nintendo Wii 265,542, Nintendo DS 255,124, PlayStation 3 81,579, Xbox 360 13,127. [1114]
• Video game system sales in the US: Nintendo Wii 720,000, Nintendo DS 698,000, PlayStation Portable 297,000, Xbox 360 262,000, PlayStation 3 257,000. [1114]
• Top selling video game in the USA: Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii. [1114] [1254.102]
• Top selling video game in Japan: Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G for the PlayStation Portable. [1254.102]

April

• The book Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Video Games and What Parents Can Do is published, written by Lawrence Kutner and Cheryl Olson. [1271.12]

April 22

• Square Enix releases The World Ends With You video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [1313.30]

April 27

• Nintendo releases the Mario Kart Wii video game for the Nintendo Wii in the USA and Canada. [1230.7] [1243.20] [1253.66] [1254.98] [1267.18] [1313.30]

April 29

• Take-Two Interactive Software releases the Grand Theft Auto IV video game for the PlayStation III and Xbox 360 in the USA and UK. First day sales in the UK: 609,000, a record. 3.6 million copies (US$310 million) are sold in the first 24 hours, a new record. (First week worldwide sales: 6 million copies, US$500 million.) [1114] [1235] [1251.68] [1252.38] [1254.92] [1271.12] [1278.24] [1304.28] [1313.30]

April (month)

• Unit sales of video game systems in the USA: Wii 714,000, Xbox 360 188,000, PlayStation 3 187,000. [1114]
• Top selling video game in the US for the month: Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360. [1272.96]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Mario Kart Wii for the Nintendo Wii. [1272.96]

May 6

• Electronic Arts releases the Boom Blox video game for the Nintendo Wii in the USA and Canada. [1230.4] [1253.44] [1313.31]

May 14

• Microsoft reports total sales of the Xbox 360 video game system have reached 10 million, beating the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3 to that sales level. [1114]

May 19

• Nintendo launches the Wii Fit exercise game for the Nintendo Wii video game system in the US, initially only in New York City. Price is US$90 including game and balance board input device. [1114] [1220.17] [1230.5] [1231.44] [1242.24] [1254.100]

May (month)

• Unit sales of video game systems in the US during the month: Nintendo Wii 675,000, PlayStation 3 209,000, Xbox 360 187,000. [1114]
• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360. [1273.92]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for the Playstation 3. [1273.92]

June 3

• Codemasters releases the Grid video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1272.85] [1313.31]

June 12

• Konami releases the Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots video game for the PlayStation 3 in the US. [1242.1] [1266.43] [1269.3] [1272.88] [1284.45] [1313.31]

June 23

• Electronic Arts releases the Battlefield: Bad Company video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1272.82] [1313.31]

June 24

• Square Enix releases the Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [1263.15] [1272.94] [1313.31]

June (month)

• Unit sales of video game systems in the US: Nintendo Wii 666,000, Nintendo DS 783,000. [1114]
• Top selling video game in the USA during the month: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for the Playstation 3. [1274.108]
• Top selling video game in Japan during the month: Persona 4 for the Playstation 2. [1274.108]

July 8

• 2K Games releases the Civilization Revolution video game for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo DS in the USA. [1253.68] [1272.38,83] [1273.91] [1284.45]

July 29

• Namco Bandai releases the Soulcalibur IV video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1254.46] [1272.38] [1274.98] [1313.32]

July 30

• Microsoft Game Studios releases the Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 video game for the Xbox Live Arcade. [1313.32]

July (month)

• Top selling video game in the USA during the month: NCAA Football 09 for the Xbox 360. [1275.116]
• Top selling video game in Japan during the month: Phantasy Star Portable for the Playstation Portable. [1275.116]

August 12

• Electronic Arts releases the Madden NFL 09 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1114] [1274.100]

August 20

• At a video games convention in Leipzig, Germany, Sony announces a new version of its Playstation Portable handheld video game system, to go on sale in Europe and the United States in mid-October. The Playstation Portable 3000 will have a built-in microphone and a new screen which has more colors and is better suited for use outdoors. [1235]

August (month)

• Top selling video game in the USA during the month: Madden NFL 09 for the Xbox 360. [1282.132]
• Top selling video game in Japan during the month: Rhythm Heaven for the Nintendo DS. [1282.132]

September 2

• Microsoft Game Studios releases the Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise video game for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1280.18]

September 8

• 2K Sports releases the NHL 2K9 video game for the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1280.20] [1313.33]

September 9

• EA Sports releases the NHL 09 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1313.33]

September 14

• Electronic Arts releases the Rock Band 2 video game for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo Wii in the USA and Canada. [1275.107] [1280.3] [1313.33] [1319.33]

September

• Microsoft announces price drops for all Xbox 360 versions: the Arcade model is now US$199, the core system with 60 GB hard drive US$299, and the Elite system with 129 GB hard drive US$399. [1282.26] [1298.23]

September 16

• Disney releases the Pure video game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1280.21] [1285.44] [1313.33]
• LucasArts releases the Star Wars: Force Unleashed video game for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, and PlayStation Portable in the USA and Canada. [1275.98] [1280.9] [1285.44] [1313.33]

September 23

• Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment releases the LEGO Batman: The Videogame video game for the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo DS in the USA. [1280.19]

September 30

• Konami releases the Silent Hill: Homecoming video game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 in the US. [1280.16]
• Sega releases the Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [1282.130]

September (month)

• Unit sales of video game systems in the US: Nintendo Wii 687,000, Nintendo DS 536,800, Xbox 360 347,200, PlayStation 3 232,400, PlayStation Portable 238,100. [1114]
• Top selling video game in the USA during the month: Star Wars: The Force Unleased for the Xbox 360. [1283.132]
• Top selling video game in Japan during the month: Macross Ace Frontier for the PlayStation Portable. [1283.132]

October 7

• Lucasarts releases the Fracture video game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 in the USA and Canada. [1280.7]

October 14

• Electronic Arts releases the Dead Space video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1280.5] [1282.114] [1313.33]
• THQ releases the Saints Row 2 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1280.14] [1283.105] [1313.34]

October 19

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. Two generic arcade video game units appear. [1328]

October 20

• Rockstar Games releases the Midnight Club: Los Angeles video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1282.121] [1313.34]

October 21

• 2K Games releases the Bioshock video game for the PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1282.124]
• Microsoft Game Studios releases the Fable II video game for the Xbox 360 in USA. [1283.118] [1313.34]

October 23

• Ubisoft releases the Far Cry 2 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA and Canada. [1280.10]

October 26

• Activision releases the Guitar Hero World Tour video game for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo Wii in the USA. [1280.15] [1283.104] [1313.34]

October 27

• Sony Computer Entertainment releases the Little Big Planet video game for the PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1114] [1280.23] [1283.120] [1313.34]

October 28

• Bethesda Softworks releases the Fallout 3 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1283.102] [1313.34]

October (month)

• Unit sales of video game systems in the US: Nintendo Wii 803,210, Nintendo DS 491,000, Xbox 360 371,000, PlayStation 3 190,000, PlayStation Portable 193,000. [1114] [1300.14]
• Top selling video game in the US during the month: Fable II for the Xbox 360. [1114]

November 4

• Sony Computer Entertainment releases the Resistance 2 video game for the PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1283.121] [1313.35]
• Activision releases the Call of Duty: World at War video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1313.34]
• Sega releases the Valkyria Chronicles for the PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1313.35]

November 6

• Ubisoft releases the End War video game for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo DS. [1280.11]

November 7

• Microsoft Game Studios releases the Gears of War 2 video game for the Xbox 360 in USA. [1114] [1283.116] [1299.9] [1313.35]

November 9

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A handheld video game appears, one that looks like the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. [1329]

November 11

• Microsoft Game Studios releases the Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1313.35]
• Electronic Arts releases the Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 video game for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1283.113]

November 12

• Electronic Arts releases the Mirror's Edge video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1313.35]

November 17

• Electronic Arts releases the Left 4 Dead video game for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1313.35] [1319.33]

November

• Nintendo releases the DSi in Japan. [1114]

November 25

• Square Enix releases the Chrono Trigger video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [1283.130]

November (month)

• Unit sales of video game systems in the US: Nintendo Wii 2,040,000, Nintendo DS 1,570,000, Xbox 360 836,000, PlayStation Portable 421,000, PlayStation 3 378,000, PlayStation 2 206,000. [1114] [1313.10]
• Top selling video game in the US during the month: Gears of War 2 for the Xbox 360. [1114] [1313.88]
• Top selling video game in Japan during the month: Professor Layton and the Last Journey for the Nintendo DS. [1313.88]

December 1

• Sumner Redstone sells his 87.2 percent stake in Midway Games (worth US$30 million) to Acquisition Holdings Subsidiary for US$100,000, a loss of US$800 million. [1305.10]

December 2

• Ubisoft releases the Prince of Persia video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1308.54] [1313.37]

December 11

• Sony opens its social networking site PlayStation Home for open beta testing. [1235]

December (month)

• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Wii Play for the Nintendo Wii. [1314.96]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Dissidia: Final Fantasy for the PlayStation Portable. [1314.96]

Year

• Top selling video game in the world for the year: Mario Kart Wii for the Nintendo Wii, at 8.94 million copies. [1315.100]
• Top selling video game in the USA for the year: Wii Play with Remote for the Nintendo Wii. [1314.30]
• Total sales of video game hardware and software in the USA: US$21.33 billion. [1314.30]
• Video game console usage in the US for the year, according to Nielsen's Top 10 Lists for 2008:

PlayStation 2 31.7 percent (of console user minutes for year),

Xbox 360 17.2 percent,

Nintendo Wii 13.4 percent,

Xbox 9.7 percent,

PlayStation 3 8.3 percent,

GameCube 4.6 percent.

[2543.8]
• Unit sales of video game systems in the US during the year: PlayStation Portable 1.02 million, PlayStation 3 726,000, PlayStation 2 410,000. [1314.30]

2009

January 21

• Electronic Arts releases the Skate 2 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1313.82]

January (month)

• Sales of video game systems in the US: Nintendo Wii 680,000, Nintendo DS 510,000, Xbox 360 309,000, PlayStation 3 203,000. [1114]
• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Wii Fit for the Nintendo Wii. [1114] [1315.92]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2 for the PlayStation Portable. [1315.92]

February 16

• Nintendo releases the Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [1313.19]

February 17

• 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 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 (month)

• Unit sales of video game systems in the USA: 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 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]

March 13

• Capcom releases the Resident Evil 5 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1298.112] [1315.78]

March

• Nintendo announces that total shipments of its 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]
• 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. [1313.19] [1315.90]
• 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 gamne Q*Bert. [1330]

March 25

• Nintendo announces it has shipped more than 50 million units of its Wii game console to date. [1114]

March 29

• Activision releases the Guitar Hero: Metallica video game for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation 2 in the USA. [1316.83]

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 DSi in Europe. [1114]

April 5

• Nintendo releases the DSi handheld video gam system in the USA. It features SD memory card slot, thinner than DS Lite, slightly larger dual screens, Opera-based Web browser, two cameras, no GameBoy Advance cartridge slot; price is US$169. [1114] [1316.12]

April 7

• Atari releases The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1316.78]

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 19

• Nintendo releases the Punch-Out!! video game for the Wii in the USA. The game is a remake of a classic game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. [1310.45] [1316.46] [1317.87]

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]

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 PSP 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 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]

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, and Nintendo Wii in the USA. [1280.17] [1311.45] [1317.35] [1318.81]

June 23

• Electronic Arts releases the Fight Night Round 4 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1319.87]

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]

July 26

• Nintendo releases the Wii Resort video game for the Wii in the USA. [1317.19] [1320.90]

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]

August 14

• EA Sports releases the Madden NFL 10 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1320.84]

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 25

• Nintendo releases the Metroid Prime Trilogy for the 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]
• 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 9

• Electronic Arts releases The Beatles: Rock Band video game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1320.80]

September 14

• Nintendo releases the Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [1323.98]

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]
• EA Sports releases the NHL 10 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA. [1323.93]

September 22

• Microsoft Game Studios releases the Halo 3: ODT video game for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1324.105]

September 27

• Nintendo drops the price of the Wii system in the US by $50 to US$199.99. [1114]

September (month)

• Top selling video game in the US during the month: Halo 3:ODST for the Xbox 360. [1114]

October 1

• Nintendo drops the price of the 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 13

• Sony Computer Entertainment releases the Uncharted 2: Among Thieves video game for the PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1324.102]

October 27

• Microsoft Game Studios releases the Forza Motorsport 3 video game for the Xbox 360 in the USA. [1324.106]

October 29

• 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 10

• Activision Blizzard releases the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 videogame. (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.) [1114] [1235] [1317.36]
• Microsoft bans about 600,000 Xbox Live users worldwide for operating modified Xbox 360 consoles. [1235]
• Activision releases the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 video game in the USA. A video game industry record 4.7 million copies sell in the first day, worth US$310 million. [1114]

November 21

• Nintendo launches the Nintendo DSi LL in Japan, with a 4.2-inch screen. Price is 20,000 yen (US$222). [1114]

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: Nintendo Wii 1.26 million, Xbox 360 820,000, PlayStation 3 710,000. [1114]