References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here.
A number after the dot gives the page in the source.
Last updated: 2012 February 9.
2000
January 9
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A "Virtual Doctor" program says it is from the maker of Dragon Quest, a 1986 video game made by Enix in Japan. [881]
January 12
The United States Postal Service issues a 33-cent postage stamp depicting video games, part of its series on memories of the 1980s. [524.89] [1015.30] [1178.94]
January
Aruze acquires SNK. [595.27]
Konami releases the Keyboardmania arcade video game in Japan. [1025.11]
January 21
Enix releases the Dragon Warrior Monsters game for the Game Boy Color in the US. [298.51]
January 24
Nintendo releases the Mario Party 2 video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [401] [419.171] [821.77] [871.38] (February [554.17])
989 Sports sponsors the annual "Game Before the Game" football challenge, pitting Marshall Faulk of the St. Louis Rams versus Frank Wycheek of the Tennessee Titans in a game of NFL GameDay 2000. The St. Louis Rams win. (Three days later, his winning play is repeated in the actual Super Bowl game, winning the game for the St. Louis Rams.) [822.20]
January 29
At the Pacifico Yokohama building in Yokohama, Japan, Square holds its Square Millenium party for 10,000 guests. Square announces three new Final Fantasy games for initial release in Japan: Final Fantasy IX for the PlayStation scheduled for summer release, Final Fantasy X for the PlayStation 2 scheduled for spring 2001 release, and Final Fantasy XI for the PlayStation 2 with PlayOnline scheduled for summer 2001 release. Square shows a brief trailer for the film Final Fantasy: The Movie. (The film's release title is Final Fantasy: Spirits Within.) [999.14] (January 27 [641.26])
January 31
Activision releases the Disney's Tarzan video game for the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color in the US. [411] [424.43]
(month unknown)
Sony CEA announces it will merge 989 Studios back into Sony as of April 1. [641.28]
February 1
Sega releases the Crazy Taxi video game for the Dreamcast in the US. [554.17] [753.8]
February 8
CBS Television airs the Judging Amy TV show in the USA. A Nintendo 64 is being played without a cartridge plugged in. [920]
February 11
The US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reverses an earlier ruling that prevented Connectix from shipping the Virtual Game Station PlayStation emulator software for the Macintosh. [597]
February 13
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A home video game system is played, with game "Billy Graham's Bible Blaster". [882]
February
Electronic Arts acquires Dreamworks Interactive. [644.35] [674.48] [1319.30]
Nintendo launches the Pokémon 2000 Stadium Tour, visiting twenty US cities. [595.144]
February 16
In Tokyo, Japan, Sega releases the Dreameye digital camera for the Dreamcast video game system. [597]
February 20
Fox Network airs the Malcolm in the Middle TV show in the USA. A scene briefly takes place in a video game arcade. [1106]
February 29
Activision releases the Battle Zone: Rise of the Black Dogs video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [409.89] [411]
March 1
Nintendo releases the Pokémon Stadium video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [298.38] [401] [416.137] [424.33,65] [595.144] (February 29 [411])
March 4
Sony releases the PlayStation 2 video game system in Japan. It features 294.912 MHz 128-bit Emotion Engine processor, 32 MB RAM, 147.456 MHz Graphics Synthesizer with 4 MB embedded VRAM cache, 2 MB sound RAM, 48 sound channels, 24X CD-ROM, 4X DVD ROM drive. The main processor is classified a supercomputer in Japan, and not allowed for export. Price is 39,800 yen. (One million units are sold on the first weekend.) [438.40] [626.24] [627.88] [642.31] [668.68] [674.48] [706.58] [819.135] [1000.6] [1099.60] [1404.20] (630,552 sold in first week [298.38,40]) (2 million sold in first two days [636.64])
Namco releases the Ridge Racer V video game for the PlayStation 2 in Japan. [642.31] [753.99] [825.36] [1000.40]
Capcom releases the Street Fighter EX 3 video game for the PlayStation 2 in Japan. [1000.42]
Konami releases the Drum Mania video game for the PlayStation 2 in Japan. [642.31] [753.100] [825.36]
From Software releases the Eternal Ring video game for the PlayStation 2 in Japan. [1000.47]
Sony CEI releases the Fantavision video game for the PlayStation 2 in Japan. [1000.47]
March 9
Nintendo agrees to supply protective sports gloves to American owners of the Mario Party video game for the Nintendo 64. The Attorney General's ofice of New York had complained to the company after hearing many reports about children being injured playing the game. [597]
March 10
At the Game Developers' Conference in San Jose, California, Bill Gates announces plans for Microsoft's X-Box video game console. The system will feature a 600+ MHz custom Intel Pentium III processor, 8 GB hard drive, 64 MB RAM, DVD movie playback, special nVidia graphics processor, 64-channel 3D audio, and high-speed Internet connectivity. [74.32] [597] [706.48] [823.4,48]
March
Capcom releases the Resident Evil: Code Veronica video game for the Dreamcast in the USA. [1151.61]
Konami releases the Beatmania III arcade video game in Japan. [1025.11]
March 19
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US. In a virtual Internet world, a character jumps over barrels thrown by Donkey Kong, then zaps him with a laser gun. [843]
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. Two people in the future eat via a virtual reality machine with a headset covering eyes and ears, and a tube into the mouth. [883]
March 29
Capcom releases the Resident Evil Code: Veronica video game for the Dreamcast. [411] [577.103] [834.17]
March 30
Namco releases the Tekken Tag Tournament video game for PlayStation 2 in Japan. [626.24] [641.28] [753.99] [825.36] [1000.43]
March (month)
Top selling video game title during the month in the US: Pokémon Stadium by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. [734.15] [1294.30]
(month unknown)
In the US, the Wards department store announces it will stop carrying M-rated games in its stores. [358.38]
US District Judge Edward Johnstone rules video games could not be blamed for the December 1997 shooting by Michael Carneal in Paducah, Kentucky. [1294.28]
April 1
Nintendo releases the Pokémon Trading Card video game for the Game Boy Color in the US. [401] [416.137] [595.144]
April 5
Comedy Central airs the South Park TV show in the USA. The Sega Dreamcast video game system is mentioned. [1246]
April
Nintendo releases the Nintendo 64 Pokémon Stadium Battle Set. It includes Nintendo 64 system, two controllers, Pokémon Stadium video game, and Transfer Pack. Price is US$149.95. [424.79]
Sega announces that its SegaNet online service will go live on September 7. [1294.32]
Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask video game for the Nintendo 64 in Japan. [448.60]
The American Psychological Association publishes two studies in its Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, on the effects of video game violence. The articles conclude that violent games tend to increase a person's aggressive thoughts and feelings. [866.142] [1168.13]
April 21
SonicTeam is founded in Tokyo, Japan. [387.20]
April 25
Reprise Records releases the music album Silver & Gold by Neil Young. The album cover art was shot with a Game Boy Camera. [823.19]
April 30
Rockstar Games releases the Grand Theft Auto 2 video game for the Dreamcast in the US. [411] [734.16]
April (month)
Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Pokémon Trading Card for the Game Boy Color. [595.46] [989.56]
May 10
Universal Studios in California hosts the world-premiere showing of the Metal Gear Solid 2 video game for the PlayStation 2. [636.64]
At Sony Studios in Los Angeles, California, Sony announces initial pricing (US$299), American launch date (October 26), and further details of the PlayStation 2. There are likely to be 51 games available at launch, with Sony games to retail at US$49 each. The system will include one DualShock 2 controller. Extra controllers, 8 MB card, multitap attachment to cist US$34 each. The system will include DVD decoder in the chipset. [597] [674.48] [824.8] [1293.28]
Nintendo releases the Funtastic Series of Nintendo 64 consoles in semi-transparent cases: Watermelon, Ice, Jungle, Fire, Smoke, and Grape. [416.130] [424.79] [825.34]
In Los Angeles, California, the Electronic Entertainment Expo is held. Total attendance is 57,800. [421.46] [597] [630.50] [1028.38]
May 11
At the Electronic Entertainment Expo, Sega announces a price cut of US$50 off the Dreamcast, to US$149, and free SegaNet subscription, for a limited time. [597] [824.58]
May
At the Electronic Entertainment Expo, bleem debuts the bleem! for Dreamcast software, which allows the Dreamcast to play PlayStation titles with enhanced graphics. 400 titles are supported. Price is US$19.99. [824.16]
May 15
Hudson releases the Bomberman 64: The Second Attack video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [411] [421.15]
Pelican Accessories releases the Brain Boy memory cartridge for Game Boy Color and Game Boy Pocket, with editor for Pokémon Red, Pokémon Blue, and Pokémon Yellow. [1393.110]
May
Nintendo releases the Wario Land 3 video game for the Game Boy Color in the US. [407.15] [1190.98] (July [554.17])
May 20
Konami releases the Metal Gear Solid video game for the Game Boy Color in the US. [304.130] [401] [471.52] [554.117] [734.16]
May 21
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US. A pizza restaurant has an arcade video game, called "Monkey Fracas Jr." This is a reference to the Donkey Kong Jr. video game. [844]
May 22
Nintendo releases the Perfect Dark video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US and England. (Total unit sales in the USA: over 1 million.) [304.134] [411] [424.65] [440.157] [471.90] [734.16] [823.16] [1253.105]
May 31
Midway releases the Gauntlet Legends video game for the Dreamcast. [411]
May (month)
Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Pokémon Trading Card for the Game Boy Color. [967.15] [595.46]
June 2
Sony announces it plans to sell the PlayStation 2 chipset to other manufacturers. [597]
June 9
Sega releases the Virtua Tennis video game for the Dreamcast in the US. [304.127] [411]
June 13
SNK withdraws from the American market. [595.27]
June
Konami releases the Dance Maniax arcade video game in Japan. [1025.11]
Microsoft acquires Bungie Studios. [651.28]
Computer hackers break the copyright protection system used in Sega's Dreamcast system, and distributes several hacked games that can be played on unmodified systems. [597]
June 21
Comedy Central airs the South Park TV show in the USA. A video game system looking the Intellivision appears. [1247]
June 26
Nintendo releases the Kirby 64 - The Crystal Shards video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [401] [420.131]
June 28
Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat: Special Forces video game for the PlayStation in the US. [808]
June 30
Rare releases the Perfect Dark video game for the Nintendo 64 in the UK and Europe. [1395.15]
June (month)
Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Perfect Dark for the Nintendo 64. [473]
(month unknown)
Unit shipments of Sony PlayStation game systems worldwide to date: 73 million. [260.24]
Sega releases the Skies of Arcadia game for the Dreamcast in the US. [304.130]
Sony CEA releases the Hot Shots Golf 2 game for the PlayStation in the US. [304.146]
July 7
Sony releases the PS One video game system in Japan, internally the same as the PlayStation, but in a smaller case, with external power supply, and slot for an optional clip-on screen. Price is 15,000 yen (about US$140). [260.24] [595.28] [597] [989.50]
July 10
Konami releases the Metal Gear Solid The Trailer on DVD in Japan. [595.36]
July
Square releases the Final Fantasy IX video game for the PlayStation in Japan. (Total worldwide sales over its lifetime: 4.6 million.) [556.99] [1003.14]
(month unknown)
Coca-Cola airs a television commerical in Japan featuring characters from the video game Final Fantasy IX. [1003.15]
August 1
Sony Computer Entertainment and NTT DoCoMo of Japan announce they will jointly develop a wireless network to allow PlayStation systems to connect to I-mode cell phones. [597]
August 7
Lifetime Television airs the film The Truth About Jane on television in the USA. A Nintendo game system is heard being played, but a Sega controller is shown. [928]
August 16
Square EA releases the Chrono Cross video game for the PlayStation in the US. [260.16] [304.144] [411] [740.85]
August 24
In Japan, Nintendo unveils the Gamecube video game system. It features 405 MHz 0.18-micron IBM PowerPC "Gekko" processor with 32-bit integer and 64-bit floating-point processing, 202.5 MHz System LSI "Flipper" graphics processor, 24-bit color, 101.25 MHz 16-bit sound processor, 24 MB main memory. [473.28,30]
In Japan, Nintendo unveils the Game Boy Advance handheld video game system. It features reflective 240x160 pixel 1.6- by 2.4-inch 32,000-color TFT LCD screen, 32-bit RISC and 8-bit CISC processors, 32 kB WRAM, 96 kB VRAM. Size is 3.2 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches. Two AA batteries power the unit for about fifteen hours. Code name during development was Project Atlantis. [473.28,36] [476.83]
August 25
Universal Pictures releases the film Bring It On to theaters in the USA. The video game Twisted Metal is played on a PlayStation. [937]
August 26
Enix releases the Dragon Quest VII video game for the PlayStation in Japan. (First day sales total 1.8 million copies. Total lifetime sales: 4.12 million copies.) [298.51] [473.44] [481.23] [595.34] [619.27] [1201.28]
August
In Japan, Bandai announces the WonderSwan Color handheld video game system. It features 224x114 pixel LCD display, capable of showing 241 colors simultaneously out of a palette of 4096. One AA battery powers the unit for about twenty hours. [473.44]
August 28
Nintendo releases the Mario Tennis video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US [448.5] [554.17] [871.38]
August 30
Activision releases the Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins video game for the PlayStation in the US. [411] [436.76]
August 31
Capcom releases the Resident Evil Survivor video game for the PlayStation in the US. [595.179] [834.17]
Sega drops the price of the Dreamcast in the US from US$199 to US$149. [473.41] [674.48] [748.202]
September 1
Ubi Soft releases the Rayman 2: The Great Escape video game for the PlayStation. [260.17] [595.117] [740.85]
September 7
Sega launches the SegaNet online gaming network. Dreamcast players can play against other players via the dial-up network. Price is US$21.95 per month. Current Dreamcast owners can receive a US$150 rebate for signing an 18-month contract; new purchasers can receive a free Dreamcast for the same 18-month contract. [473.40] [597] [990.26] [1294.32]
Sega releases the NFL 2K1 video game for the Dreamcast in the US. This is the first console game to include online game play. [411] [473.40] [551.30]
September
The US Federal Trade Commission releases a report criticizing the entertainment industry for marketing material with mature content to children. [1136.28]
Konami releases the Para Para Paradise arcade video game in Japan. [1025.11]
Sony releases the PS One video game system in the US, for US$99. The system is the PlayStation repackaged in a smaller case. [595.28] [674.48]
September 19
Activision releases the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [260.87] [411] [554.116] [740.88]
September 21
Enix releases the Dragon Warrior I & II Remix game for the Game Boy Color in the US. [298.51]
September 24
Nintendo releases the Pokémon Puzzle League game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [304.148] [401] [411] [554.17] [595.146] [1393.110]
September 27
Acclaim releases the Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX video game for the PlayStation in the US. [260.82] [411]
Sony announces it has cut initial US shipments of the PlayStation 2 from 1 million to 500,000, due to shortages of components. [597]
Atlus releases the Ogre Battle 64 video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [411] [470.91]
September
In Kaihin Makuhari, Japan, the Autumn 2000 Tokyo Game Show is held. With the absense of Nintendo, Sega, and Microsoft, the show is dominated by Sony's PlayStation 2. Sony unveils playable versions of Dark Cloud and Gran Turismo 3. [361.32] [738.21]
September (month)
Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Madden NFL 2001 for the PlayStation. [738.37] [990.46]
October 5
Capcom releases the Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike game for the Dreamcast in the US. [304.144] [411]
October 10
Western Digital announces that it will supply hard drives for Microsoft's Xbox video game system. [597]
October
Activision releases the Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins video game for the PlayStation in Japan. [436.76]
Electronic Arts releases the Medal of Honor 2 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [740.86]
October 15
Nintendo releases the Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver video games for the Game Boy Color in the US. (1.4 million copies sell in the first week. Total sales: 15 million.) [304.140] [394.86] [401] [407.87] [448.5,14,18] [554.17] [595.146] [1393.110] [1425.53]
October 21
First Look Pictures shows the film Dead Babies at the Bergen International Film Festival in Norway. The game Perfect Dark is show on the Nintendo 64, but with a PlayStation 2 controller. [923]
October 23
Sega releases the Quake III Arena video game for the Dreamcast in the US. [304.126] [411] [473.40]
October
Sony Computer Entertainment America releases the Spyro: Year of the Dragon game for the PlayStation. [260.78] [740.86]
October 25
Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [304.150] [453.46] [554.17] [824.60] [989.98] [1438.45] (October 26 [411] [448.60])
October 26
Sony Computer Entertainment introduces the Sony PlayStation 2 in the US. It features 294.912 MHz processor, single analog DualShock2 controller, two memory card slots, two USB ports, one i-Link (IEEE 1394) port, 128-bit Emotion Engine graphics processor. The system can also play PlayStation games, and supports DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, CD-ROM, DTS, and Dolby Digital media. Size is 12 x 3.5 x 7 inches; weight is 5 pounds; price is about US$300. Extra peripherals: 8 MB memory card US$34, controller US$34, Multitap adapter US$34. (Sales during the first week: 681,855.) [298.40] [358.30] [361.32] [398.48] [473.177] [481.21] [595.28,178] [636.64] [643.35] [674.48] [751.71] [1077.32] [1151.4] [1188.36] [1293.28] [1340.15]
Koei releases the Dynasty Warriors 2 video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [470.63] [473.233]
October (month)
Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Pokémon Silver for the Game Boy Color. [990.46]
November 3
Columbia Pictures releases the film Charlie's Angels to theaters in the USA and Canada. A video game system running Final Fantasy VIII is played by kids on a TV. [1045]
November 6
Nintendo releases the Hey You, Pikachu! video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [448.118] [554.17] [595.146] [1393.110]
November 7
Seagate Technology announces that it will supply hard drives for Microsoft's Xbox video game system. [597]
November 14
Sega releases the Sonic Shuffle video game for the Dreamcast in the US. [396.24] [554.17] [779.40]
Square EA releases the Final Fantasy IX video game for the PlayStation in the US. [260.84] [304] [554.116] [556.99] [738.36] [740.88] [869.19]
November
Nintendo applies to the US Patent and Trademark Office for a patent on software emulation of handheld video game hardware. (The patent is granted in January 2004.) [600.22]
Electronic Arts releases the 007: The World is Not Enough video game for the PlayStation in the USA. [746.158] [1319.30]
Eidos releases the Tomb Raider Chronicles video game for the PlayStation and Dreamcast in the US. (Total lifetime sales on the PlayStation: 300,000.) [308.82] [444.34] [738.36]
November 19
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. An advertisement within the show is for a "GameStation 256", with a video game system resembling the Sony PlayStation, with a joystick that holds to a table by suction cups. A child throws a GameStation 252 into the fireplace. [884]
Nintendo releases the Banjo-Tooie video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [407.123] [448.118] [554.17] [989.102] [1102.113]
November 28
Sony releases the PlayStation 2 video game system in the United Kingdom. Price is 300 pounds. [812.58] [815.60]
November (month)
Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Pokémon Silver for the Game Boy Advance. [554.46]
(month unknown)
At the Media Art Festival in Japan, the Agency of Cultural Affairs proclaims the Dragon Quest VII video game the best work of interactive digital art. [555.44]
December
Sega holds a Gamer's Summit for the press, showing titles for US release in 2001. [990.35]
December 8
Sony releases a new version of the PlayStation 2 in Japan, model SCPH-8000. It has built-in DVD drivers, a DVD remote control, but no memory card. Price is 39800 yen (about US$390). [554.39] [990.35]
Enix releases the Dragon Quest III Remix video game for the Game Boy Color in Japan. [298.51]
December 9
In Japan, Bandai releases the WonderSwan Color video game system. Price is 6800 yen. (145,975 units sell in the first week.) [298.40] [473.44]
December
Electronic Arts and New Line announce a deal for a video game license for the Lord of the Rings property. [1319.31]
December 18
Wolfson Microelectronics announces that Microsoft has selected the company to provide the WM9709 audio digital-to-analog converter for Microsoft's Xbox video game system. [597]
December 22
Ravisent Technologies announces that Microsoft has selected the company to supply DVD playback software for Microsoft's Xbox video game system. [597]
December (month)
Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Pokémon Gold for the Game Boy. [555.52] [1296.32]
Year
Retail sales of video game systems and games in the U.S. during the year: US$6.6 billion. [597]
Shipments of video game systems (console and handheld) worldwide during the year: 40 million. [752.54]
Sales of video game systems worldwide during the year: US$18.8 billion. [597]
Sales of video game software during the year: US$4.1 billion. [597]
