2007

January 22

• 2K Games releases the Sid Meier's Pirates! video game for the PlayStation Portable in the USA. [1147.108] [1149.61]

January 28

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A man asks a boy wearing an electronic glove "What's the PowerGlove for?", a reference to the Mattel PowerGlove controller for the Nintendo Entertainment System. [1107]

January (month)

• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Lost Planet: Extreme Condition for the Xbox 360. [1114] [1147.112]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Virtua Fighter 5 for the PlayStation 3. [1147.112]
• Unit sales of video game systems in the USA: Wii 436,000, PlayStation 2 299,000, Xbox 360 294,000, PlayStation 3 244,000. [1114]

February 5

• Nintendo releases the Final Fantasy VI Advance video game for the Game Boy Advance in the USA. [1090.37] [1147.110] [1149.64]

February 12

• Microsoft launches the Xbox Live Rewards program. [1148.22]

February (month)

• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Crackdown for the Xbox 360. [1177.100]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Yoshi's Island DS for the Nintendo DS. [1177.100]
• Total unit sales of video game systems in the USA for the month: Nintendo DS 485,000, Nintendo Wii 335,000; PlayStation 2 295,000, Xbox 360 228,000, PlayStation 3 127,000. [1114] [1125.16]

March 4

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A child and his psychiatrist play the video game "Death Kill City II - Death Kill Stories". [1108]

March 11

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A rec room includes arcade game "Triangle Wars". [1109]

March 19

• Capcom announces it will release Devil May Cry 4 for the Xbox 360 and personal computers. [1180.28]

March 20

• Ubisoft releases the TMNT video game for the Xbox 360, Wii, Playstation 2, PlayStation Portable, and GameCube in the USA. [1079.20] [1101.80] [1177.82] [1185.19]

March 23

• Sony launches the PlayStation 3 in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia. The system does not include the Emotion Engine and Graphics Synthesizer components, making it less compatible with PlayStation titles. Price in the UK is 425 pounds; price in Europe is 599 euros. Opening weekend sales in the UK: 165,000. [1125.14] [1166.26]

March 28

• Sega and Nintendo jointly announce Mario and Sonic At The Olympic Games video game for the Wii and DS, for release in the fall. [1125.24]

March

• Microsoft announces the Xbox 360 Elite video game system. It features 120 GB hard drive, HDMI port and cable, black case and controller. Price is US$480; expected release is end of April. [1125.26] [1166.24]

March 31

• To date, Sony has shipped 5.5 million PlayStation 3 systems worldwide. [1173.29]
• To date, Sony has sold 117.89 million PlayStation 2 units worldwide. [1188.34]
• To date, Sony has sold 8.4 million PlayStation Portable units worldwide. [1114]
• To date, Nintendo has sold 23.6 million Nintendo DS units worldwide. [1114]

March (month)

• Unit sales of video game systems in the USA: Nintendo DS 508,000, PlayStation 2 280,000, Wii 259,000, Xbox 360 199,000, PlayStation Portable 180,000, PlayStation 3 130,000. [1114]
• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: God of War II for the PlayStation 2. [1114] [1180.120]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Phoenix Wright 4 for the Nintendo DS. [1180.120]

(month unknown)

• US Judge Marci Adkisson of Oregon sentences Patrick Morris to life in prison for murder. Morris had claimed "video games made me do it". [1149.22]
• The Guiness Book of World Records (Video Game Edition) decalares the Nintendo DS the fastest-selling video game system to date, selling 40 million units worldwide in 28 months. [1180.24]

April 3

• Konami shuts down online servers for Metal Gear Online. [1187.73]

April 9

• Nintendo releases the Super Paper Mario video game for the Wii in the USA. [1147.42] [1177.75] [1180.112]

April 22

• Nintendo releases the Pokémon Diamond Version and Pearl Version video games for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [1087.37] [1089.52] [1147.42] [1180.119] [1191.71]

April 26

• The US Federal Communications Commission releases a report on the impact of media violence on children, saying Congress could regulate violence on television without violating the First Amendment. [1168.12]
• Sony head of the PlayStation division Ken Kutanagi announces he will step down. [1172.31]

April (month)

• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Pokémon Diamond for the Nintendo DS. [1181] [1192.14]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions for the PlayStation Portable. [1181]
• Unit sales of video game systems in the USA: Nintendo DS 471,000, Wii 360,000, Xbox 360 174,000, PlayStation 3 82,000. [1114] [1279.B2]

(month unknown)

• Sony discontinues the 20 GB model of the PlayStation 3 in the USA. [1180.24]

May 4

• Activision releases the Spider-Man 3 video game for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy Advance in the USA. [1147.54] [1181.94,102] [1223.13]

May 16

• Sony reports its games division lost US$1.9 billion during the fiscal year. [1173.29]

May 18

• Ten wireless hot spots are opened at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Users with a Nintendo DS and the game Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End can download extra content at these hot spots not available anywhere else. [1114]

May 20

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A handheld video game looking like an original Nintendo GameBoy appears. [1124]

May 31

• Sony Ericsson files a patent application in the USA for a mobile phone with video game features, with a swiveling screen. [1188.52.4]

May (month)

• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Pokémon Diamond for the Nintendo DS. [1182.104]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Pachinko Pachislot Kouryoku Series Vol. 10 for the PlayStation 2. [1182.104]

June 6

• Namco Bandai releases the Pac Man Championship Edition video game on the Xbox Live online service. The game was personally designed by Toru Iwatani, who designed the original Pac-Man arcade game. [1114]

June 15

• Microsoft releases the special commemorative Halo 3 Zune through GameStop stores. The system comes in a black case with Halo graphics, preloaded with Halo videos. Price is US$246. [1180.46]

June 25

• The value of Nintendo stock hits US$53.06 billion, slightly higher than Sony. [1170.24]

June 26

• Nintendo releases the Pokémon Battle Revolution video game for the Wii in the USA. [1087.16] [1180.50] [1183.122]

June 30

• Microsoft's Xbox 360 business loses US$1.9 billion for the fiscal year. [1171.24]
• To date, shipments of current generation video game systems in the USA: Xbox 360 5.6 million, Wii 2.8 million, PlayStation 3 1.4 million. [1114]

June (month)

• Unit sales of video game systems in the USA: Nintendo DS 561,900, Wii 381,800, PlayStation Portable 290,100, Xbox 360 198,400, PlayStation 3 98,500. [1114]
• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Mario Party 8 for the Wii. [1183.104] [1194.14]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors for the Wii. [1183.104]

(month unknown)

• Parallel Processing files a cell processor patent infringing lawsuit against Sony, requesting all PlayStation 3 systems be destroyed. [1232.7]

July 8

• At the Electronic Entertainment Expo, Nintendo announces the Wii Zapper, a white plastic casing that holds the Wii remote and nunchuck analog stick. Release price is to be US$19.99. The upcoming Mario Kart game for the Wii will come with a white plastic wheel to hold the Wii remote. The upcoming title Wii Fit will include a new balance board controller that sense your weight and center of gravity. [1183.26]

July 9

• At the Electronic Entertainment Expo, Sony announces a price drop of US$100 on the PlayStation 3 with 60 GB hard drive, dropping it to US$499. The 20 GB model is now discontinued. In August, an 80 GB version with Motorstorm will debut, for US$599. Once the 60 GB version is sold out, it will be discontinued. [1114] [1174.25] [1183.26]

July 11

• At the Electronic Entertainment Expo, Sony announces it will release a lighter, slimmer model of its PlayStation Portable handheld video game console in September. A revised PlayStation Portable is to be released in September. It will be 33 percent lighter, 19 percent slimmer, available in two additional case colors (silver and white), output to television, priced at US$169.99. Two bundles will be available: Daxter PSP Entertainment Pack for US$199, and Star Wars Battlefront PSP Entertainment Pack for US$199. [1114] [1183.26]

July 15

• Sony announces September 20 as release date for the new PlayStation Portable in Japan, at price of 19,800 yen (US$162). [1114]
• Total sales of the PlayStation 3 in Japan reach 1 million units. [1114]
• Total sales of the Wii in Japan reach 3 million units. [1114]
• Total sales of the Nintendo DS in Japan reach 18 million units. [1114]

July

• Microsoft announces a US$1 to $1.50 pretax charge to cover costs associated with Xbox 360 system failure rates. The company extends warrantees from one year to three years, and re-works internals to eliminate the problem. The charge works out to US$100 per unit sold, with 11.6 million sold. [1259.10]

July 16

• Sony announces it will discontinue the $499 PlayStation 3 in the USA, leaving only the US$599 model on sale. [1114]

July (month)

• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: NCAA Football 08 for the Xbox 360. [1213.128]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: J-League Winning Eleven 2007: Club Championship for the PlayStation 2. [1213.128]

August 1

• The Game Critics Awards are announced:

Best of Show (E3): Rock Band

Best Original Game: LittleBigPlanet

Special Commendation for Graphics: Killzone 2

Best Handheld Game: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

Best Console Game: Mass Effect

Best Online Multiplayer: Halo 3

Best Sports Game: Madden NFL 08

[1114]

August 8

• Microsoft drops the price of the Xbox 360 in the USA by $50 to $350. [1176.29]

August 24

• Microsoft reduces the price of the Xbox 360 in Europe by 50 euros to 349.99 euros (US$470), and 20 euros on the Xbox 360 Core to 279.99 euros. [1114]

August 31

• Total unit sales of video game systems in the USA to date: PlayStation 2 39.1 million, Nintendo DS 12.7 million, PlayStation Portable 8.3 million, Xbox 360 6.3 million, Wii 4 million, PlayStation 3 1.75 million. [1204.18]

August (month)

• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Madden NFL 08 for the Xbox 360. [1204.18] [1214.164]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Another Century's Episode 3: The Final for the PlayStation 2. [1214.164]
• Total unit sales of video game systems in the USA: Wii 403,600, Nintendo DS 383,300, Xbox 360 276,700, PlayStation 2 202,000, PlayStation Portable 151,200, PlayStation 3 130,600. [1204.18]

September 10

• Sony releases a new PlayStation Portable. The updated unit is 0.75 inches thick (versus 0.9), slimmer battery, weight 6.7 ounces (versus 9.2), includes cable output to TV, 64 MB RAM (versus 32), various other modifications. Price is US$169.99. [1171.26] [1198.56] [1260.57]

September

• In Chiba, Japan, the Tokyo Game Show is held. Sony announces the DualShock 3 controller for the PlayStation 3, for release in 2008. The controller adds vibration to the Sixaxis controller. Sony announces the acquisition of Evolution Studios for US$32.6 million. [1196.16] [1199.56] [1200.8]
• The Nintendo Wii overtakes the Xbox 360 in total sales worldwide. [1221.73]

September 20

• Sony launches the new version of the PlayStation Portable in Japan. Price is 19,800 yen. (250,000 units sell in the first four days.) [1114]

September 23

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. Arcade game called "Time Waster" appears. [1236]

September 25

• Microsoft releases the Halo 3 video game for the Xbox 360 in the USA. (First day sales: US$170 million, a record. Worldwide sales in the first week: US$300 million, 5 million units.) [1114] [1183.35,82] [1204.71] [1223.13] [1233.14]

September (month)

• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Halo 3 for the Xbox 360. [1215.160]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Nishimura Kyotarou Suspense Detective Series: Deadly Intent for the Nintendo DS. [1215.160]
• Unit sales of video game systems in the USA: Xbox 360 528,000, Wii 501,000, PlayStation 3 119,000. [1114]
• Unit sales of video game systems in Japan: PlayStation Portable 590,000, Nintendo DS 391,752. [1200.8]

October 9

• Sony announces a price drop of the PlayStation 3 in Japan, to 44,980 yen (20 GB) and 54,980 yen (60 GB). [1114]

October

• Electronic Arts acquires BioWare and Pandemic Studios for US$620 million. [1200.8]

October 18

• (to October 21) In Los Angeles, California, the E for All Expo video game show is held, open to the public. About 18,000 attend over four days. [1114] [1195.109] [1198.41]

October 24

• In London, England, the British Academy Video Games Awards are announced:

Best sports game: Wii Sports

Best gameplay: Wii Sports

Best innovation: Wii Sports

Best strategy: Wii Sports

Best game: BioShock

Best action and adventure: Crackdown

Best use of audio: Crackdown

Best story and character: God of War 2

Best technical achievement: God of War 2

[1114] [1197.10]

October 28

• Activision releases the Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock video game for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation2 in the USA. (Unit sales in the first three days: 1.17 million.) [1114] [1204.72] [1205.4] [1233.14] (October 27 [1224.86])

October (month)

• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Halo 3 for the Xbox 360. [1216.104]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Mario Party DS for the Nintendo DS. [1216.104]

November 1

• Nintendo releases the Super Mario Galaxy video game for the Wii in Japan. [1225.16]

November 11

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A video game is played on a system like the PlayStation, with similar controllers. [1237]

November 12

• Nintendo releases the Super Mario Galaxy video game for the Wii in the USA. (First week sales: 500,000.) [1183.36,97] [1205.20] [1225.16] [1233.14]

November 18

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. An ad for a Atari 2600 video game system appears on the back of a comic book. A toy store has two arcade video game machines: Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution. [1238]

November 20

• Nintendo unveils two special editions of its DS handheld gaming unit. One version will be colored gold and come with the epic adventure game The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass while a metallic pink model will come with puppy training title Nintendogs. The new bundles will go on sale in the United States on November 23. [1114]
• The magazine PlayStation: The Official Magazine first goes on sale in the USA. [1199.3]

November 25

• The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A video game controller and a steering wheel controller appear. [1239]

November 27

• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment releases the film Bender's Big Score on DVD in the USA. An arcade video game appears. A person plays a video game. [1249]

November

• Nintendo launches the Wii Fit home fitness video game in Japan. The new game features a pressure-sensing mat called the "Wii Balance Board", which can sense when a person moves and leans. (Unit sales in the first week: 250,000.) [1114] [1243.39]

November (month)

• Total unit sales of video game systems in the USA: Nintendo DS 1,530,000, Wii 981,000, Xbox 360 770,000, PlayStation Portable 567,000, PlayStation 2 496,000, PlayStation 3 466,000. [1114] [1248.30]
• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare for the Xbox 360. [1248.30,104]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Wii Fit for the Wii. [1248.104]

December 2

• Activision and Vivendi Games announce a merger, to be called Activision Blizzard. The US$18.9 billion deal is the biggest ever in the videogame industry. [1221.73] [1226.3]

December

• The Spike TV network airs Spike TV's Video Game Awards 2007 show.

Hottest Newcomer of the Year: Kristen Bell, in Assassin's Creed.

Best Game Based on a Movie or TV Show: The Simpsons Game.

Best Team Sports Game: Madden NFL 08.

Best Individual Sports Game: Skate.

Best Role Playing Game: Mass Effect.

Best Handheld Game: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.

Best PlayStation 3 Game: Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction.

Best Graphics: Crysis.

Best Action Game: Super Mario Galaxy.

Best Wii Game: Super Mario Galaxy.

Best Driving Game: Dirt.

Studio of the Year: Harmonix.

Most Addictive Video Game: Halo 3.

Best Multiplayer Game: Halo 3.

[1217]

December 31

• Sales to date of video game systems: Xbox 360 9.2 million, Nintendo Wii 7.4 million, PlayStation 3 3.3 million. [1114]
• Sales to date of Xbox 360 systems worldwide: 17.7 million. [1114]
• Sales to date of New Super Mario Bros.: 13 million. [1243.39]

December (month)

• Sales of video game systems: Nintendo DS 2.5 million, Nintendo Wii 1.35 million, Xbox 360 1.26 million, PlayStation 2 1.1 million, PlayStation Portable 1.1 million, PlayStation 3 798,000. [1114]
• Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare for the Xbox 360. [1251.108]
• Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Wii Fit for the Wii. [1251.108]

October-December

• Sales of Xbox 360 video game systems worldwide: 4.3 million. [1114]

Year

• Total sales of video game hardware and software in the USA: nearly US$18 billion. [1114]
• Top selling video game: Halo 3 (4.8 million copies) for the Xbox 360. [1114]