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

Last updated: 2008 June 26.

2005 July 15 The Disney Channel airs the film Life is Ruff on television in the USA. A Nintendo 64 is played without a game plugged in. [925] July 20 The Entertainment Software Rating Board re-rates the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas from Mature to Adults Only. [597] [1080.8] Shipments to date of the PlayStation 2 video game system worldwide: 91.62 million. [1080.10] July 25 Illinois governor signs a bill into law restricting the sale of violent video games to minors. [597] Video game industry groups file a lawsuit in federal court in Chicago, Illinois, challenging a new Illinois law restricting the sale of violent video games to minors. [597] Tapwave discontinues the Zodiac handheld video game system. [597] [730.40] July 27 Sony makes available PSP firmware version 2.0 via Internet download in Japan. New features include Web browser, wireless photo sharing, MPEG4 and AAC media format support. [729.29] [1080.10] July (month) Top selling video game title for the month in the US: NCAA Football 06 for PlayStation 2 by EA Sports. [730.156] [768.150] [1063.46] Top selling video game title for the month in Japan: Jump! Super Stars for Nintendo DS. [730.156] (month unknown) Shipments to date of the Nintendo DS in the US: 1.97 million. [730.28] Shipments to date of the Sony PlayStation Portable in North America: 1.95 million. [730.28] August In Chiba, Japan, Square Enix hosts a Square Enix Party 2005 event. A playable demo of Final Fantasy XII for the PlayStation 2 is available on 200 consoles. Release date of March 16 in Japan is announced. [696.22] August 9 EA Sports releases the Madden NFL 06 video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. (1.7 million copies are sold in the first week.) [693.34,81] [703] [729.92] [772.182] [780.88] [1063.48] August 16 Sega releases the Sonic Gems Collection for the GameCube in the US. [779.41] August 17 At the Hot Chips conference, Microsoft unveils details of the Xbox 360 processor and graphics chip designs. Microsoft also announces pricing for the system in the USA: US$399.99 for the Xbox 360, and US$299.99 for the Xbox 360 core system. Prices in Great Britain are expected to be 279/209 pounds, and 399/299 euros in the rest of Europe. [597] [788.8] August 22 Nintendo releases the Nintendogs: Lab & Friends video game for the Nintendo DS in the US and Canada. Also Dachshund & Friends, and Chihuahua & Friends. (First week sales: 250,000.) [693.34] [703] [729.114] [777.5] [780.88] [1063.24] [1149.59] August 23 Nintendo releases the Advance Wars: Dual Strike video game for the Nintendo DS in the US. [693.34] [729.112] [780.88] (August 22 [1149.59]) Sierra releases The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. [693.34] [703] [729.97] [780.90] August 24 Sony releases a PlayStation Portable firmware 2.0 upgrade in the USA, available via wireless Internet connection, or through a USB connection to a PC. The upgrade features Wi-Fi security, tools for photo sharing, enhanced video and audio playback with support for MP4 and WAV (LPCM) formats, and allows Internet browsing from hotspots using the device's built-in Wi-Fi functions. [597] [788.11] August Near Seattle, Washington, the 2nd annual Penny Arcade Expo is held. Over 10,000 attend. [1063.56] August 29 Microsoft and Pepsi launch the "Every 10 Minutes" promotion, in which purchasers of Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and Sierra Mist can enter a code on a Web site to be entered in drawings for an Xbox 360 system or a free video game. Up to 9222 Xbox 360 systems are available to be won in the contest. [597] August 30 Nintendo releases the Mario Superstar Baseball video game for the GameCube in the US [693.34] [708.B8] [729.104] [871.38] August (month) Top selling video game for the month in the USA: Madden NFL 06 for PlayStation 2. [772.184] [1076.58] Top selling video game title for the month in Japan: Tales of Legendia for PlayStation 2. [772.184] (month unknown) Unit sales of video game systems worldwide to date: PlayStation 2 91 million, Xbox 21.9 million, GameCube 18.8 million. [704.C2] Unit sales of video game systems in Asia to date: PlayStation 2 21 million, Xbox 1.8 million. [704.C2] Nintendo releases a GameCube bundle with Super Smash Bros. Melee in the USA. Price is US$99. [1063.56] Sony recalls 3.5 million PlayStation 2 AC adaptors for the new slimline system, shipped between August and December 2004, due to overheating problems. [772.44] Sony receives a patent in the US for a "magic wand" for famers to wave, with a camera in the console to recognize motion and clicks. [853.25] September 1 The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis, Missouri, rules that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act disallows altering video games published by Blizzard to link with servers other than the company's official Battle.net site. [597] September 6 Square Enix releases the Radiata Stories video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [693.34] [730.132] [780.90] Namco releases the Rebelstar Tactical Command video game for the Game Boy Advance in the US. [729.40] [730.152] [780.90] September 8 Microsoft announces prices for its Xbox Live online service for the upcoming Xbox 360 system. Gold membership will cost US$50 per year ($8 for a month, or $20 for three months), and silver membership will be free to all Xbox 360 owners. Those paying for at least three months will also receive a free Xbox 360 headset and points to spend in the Xbox Live marketplace. [597] September 11 The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A child complains that Santa Claus gave him a PlayStation box with nothing inside but a coloring book. [1054] September 13 Electronic Arts releases the Burnout: Revenge video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the US. [708.B8] [729.40] [730.118] [733.63] [780.91] EA Games releases the Burnout Legends video game for the PlayStation Portable in the USA. [693.34] [729.40] [730.152] September 14 Microsoft announces the price for the upcoming Xbox 360 in Japan: 37,900 yen (about US$345). Dates of release are November 22 in North America, December 2 in Europe, and December 10 in Japan. [597] [704.C2] [772.28] September 15 In Chiba, Japan, the Tokyo Game Show is held, over four days. Nintendo shows a prototype wireless controller for its next console video game system. It is shaped like a television remote controller, interacting with sensors attached to the television to detect movement. An expansion slot allows for add-on devices. [704.C2] [729.40] [772.23] [797.16] [826.12] [1090.52] [1202.14] September In the US, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences awards Microsoft a citation in the Video Game Technology category for its Xbox Live service. [792.30] September 19 Nintendo releases the Game Boy Micro handheld video game system in the US. Availble in silver or black, with three different face plates. The system can play at Game Boy Advance cartridges, but not earlier Game Boy cartridges or the e-Reader. Size is 4 x 2 x 0.7 inches; price is US$99.99. [730.40] [826.30] September 20 Midway releases the Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks video game for PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the US. [729.40] [730.122,162] [780.91] Activision releases the X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. [729.40] [772.138] [780.91] September 22 Atari releases the Indigo Prophecy video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the US. [708.B8] [709.D8] [729.40] [730.124] [780.91] September 25 The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A mom says to her son "... I'm going to erase all the saved games on your PlayStation". [1055] September 27 Ubisoft releases the Heroes of the Pacific video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the US. [780.91] September (month) Top selling video game in the US for the month: Madden MFL 06 for the PlayStation 2, by EA Sports. [767.36] [773.192] [827.108] Top selling video game title in Japan for the month: Famicom Mini-Super Mario Bros for the Game Boy Advance. [773.192] October 4 The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. One character asks another what to do the rest of the day. The other replies "...play video games?". [869] Ubisoft releases the Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the US. [730.54] [772.166] [780.91] [1080.28] Konami releases the Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [730.28,54,105] [772.176] [780.91] [1149.59] Atlus releases the Trauma Center: Under the Knife video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [730.28,54,154] [1149.59] October 6 In Australia, the High Court of Australia rules that it is legal to install modification chips in a PlayStation 2 that allow the console to play imported or copied games. Sony Computer Entertainment originally filed a lawsuit against Sydney retailer Eddy Stevens in 2001 for selling unauthorized copies of games, and selling and installing modification chips for the PlayStation 2. [597] October 7 The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Fairly Oddparents TV show in the US. A child tries to get his grandfather to play video games with him. [1066] October 10 In San Francisco, California, Microsoft hosts an unveiling of the Xbox 360 for invited journalists, demonstrating twelve software titles. [597] October 11 Sony Computer Entertainment releases the SOCOM 3: US Navy SEALS video game for the PlayStation 2 in the USA. [685.94] [773.166] October Namco releases the Mario Kart Arcade GP arcade game in the US. The game was developed with Nintendo. Players can choose among eleven characters, including Mario, Luigi, Wario, Donkey Kong, Bowser, Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, and Blinky. 24 courses over six worlds can be played, with 57 choices of weapons. [797.26] [827.32] October 17 Capcom releases the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA. [730.54,154] [1149.59] October 18 Rockstar Games releases The Warriors video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the US. [730.54] [772.144] [780.94] [1080.28] Nintendo releases the Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance video game for the GameCube in the US. [730.54] [772.162] [780.94] Sony releases the Shadow of the Colossus video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [730.54,130] [780.94] October 21 Universal Pictures releases the film Doom to theaters in the USA, based on the computer/video game. The film cost US$100 million to make and market. (Gross theater receipts: about US$42 million worldwide.) [683.30] [730.38,54] [828.24] [952.34] [1234.46] October 22 Tiger Telematics releases the Gizmondo handheld video game system in the US. It features Microsoft Windows CE operating system, MP3 audio and MPEG 4 video support, email and instant messaging, USB port, Global Positioning Sensor, digital camera, Bluetooth wireless, SecureDigital card slot, 2.8-inch TFT color screen, ARM 9 400 MHz processor, GeForce 3D 4500 Nvidia graphics accelerator. Price is US$399, or US$229 with daily downloaded advertisements. [912.46] (August 11 [770.46]) October 24 Nintendo releases the Metroid Prime Pinball video game for the Nintendo DS in the US. [730.54] [772.176] [779.25] [797.22] October 25 Rockstar Games releases the Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories for the PlayStation Portable in the US. [730.28,54] [773.188] [780.95] [1080.28] [1149.60] Sega releases the Taito Legends video game collection for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. This arcade collection includes: Super Qix, Tube-It, Volfied, Rastan, Operation Wolf, Exzisus, Rainbow Islands, Plump Pop, Ninja Kids, Thunderfox, Space Invaders. [780.138] Namco releases the Soul Calibur 3 video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [780.95] Activision releases the X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse video game for the PlayStation Portable in the US. [730.54] [773.190] [780.91] [1080.28] October 26 Capcom releases the Resident Evil 4 video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [730.54,94] [772.158] [780.81] [1080.28] October Zi announces it has licensed its handwriting-recognition software to Nintendo for use in the Nintendo DS. [790.84] October (month) Top selling video game in the US for the month: SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs by Sony for the PlayStation 2. [780.158] [834.96] [988.38] Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Mario Party 7 for the GameCube. [780.158] (month unknown) Sony announces it has shipped 100 million PlayStation 2 systems worldwide. [988.38] California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs into law Assembly Bill 1179. The Violent Video Game Bill prohibits the sale of violent video games to those under 18. [827.32] November 1 LucasArts releases the Star Wars Battlefront II video game for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Xbox in the USA. [727] [772.62,90] [773.152] [780.157] [1080.28] November 8 Activision releases the Gun video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. [727] [772.62] [773.150] [780.95] [1080.28] Red Octane releases the Guitar Hero video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [772.62] [773.171] [780.95] [1080.28] November 11 France issues ten postage stamps depicting video game characters. On 20-cent stamps: Link, Pac-Man, Prince of Persia, Spyro, and Donkey Kong. On 33-cent stamps: Mario, Adibou, Rayman, Lara Croft, and The Sims. [1113.77] [1184.1222] Columbia Pictures releases the film Zathura: A Space Adventure to theaters in the USA. A character holds up PlayStation 2 controllers and asks to play "Smash Brothers". [929] November 13 The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A character plays a handheld video game system. [1056] November 14 Nintendo releases the Mario Kart DS video game for the Nintendo DS in the US. (112,000 copies are sold in the first week.) [730.28] [772.62] [773.46,187] [797.22] [798.14] [1149.59] McDonald's and Nintendo launch a free Wi-Fi service for Nintendo DS users in thousands of McDonald's restaurants in the US. The service is provided by Wayport, and paid for by Nintendo. [773.46] [790.84] November 15 Electronic Arts releases the Need for Speed: Most Wanted video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. [772.110] [773.148] [780.95] [1080.28] Sega releases the Sonic Rush video game for the Nintendo DS in the US. [772.62] [779.41] [780.157] [797.22] Sega releases the Shadow the Hedgehog video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. [772.62] [779.41,138] [1080.28] Square Enix releases the Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King for the PlayStation 2 in the US. [727] [768.79] [772.62] [773.4,168] [780.95] [826.6] [1080.28] Activision releases the True Crime: New York City video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. [772.62] [780.96,135] [826.69] [1080.28] November Nintendo releases the Animal Crossing: Wild World video game for the Nintendo DS in Japan. (200,000 copies are sold in the first day.) [798.14] The December issue of Electronics Gaming Monthly includes an article on Top Ten Videogame characters, with Nintendo's Super Mario in the top spot. [1076.93] November 20 Microsoft hosts a 30-hour "Zero Hour" launch party for the Xbox 360 in Palmdale, California. 500 Xbox 360 systems are available for the over 2000 invited fans to try the eighteen launch titles. [597] November 22 Microsoft launches the Xbox 360 video game system in North America. The system features IBM PowerPC with 3 cores, 3.2 GHz each with simultaneous multi-threading, 500 MHz ATI graphics with 10 MB cache, and 512 MB RAM. Code name during development was "Xenon". The Xbox 360 Core System costs US$299.99, and includes Composite AV Cable, and Controller. The full Xbox 360 costs US$399.99, and includes Universal Media Remote, Ethernet Connectivity Cable, Headset, Wireless Controller, Component HD AV Cable, and Hard Drive 20 GB. Eighteen game titles are immediately available. Availble accessories are: Xbox 360 Controller US$39.99, Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote US$29.99, Xbox 360 Headset US$19.99, Xbox 360 Wireless Controller US$49.99, Xbox 360 Component HD AV Cable US$39.99, Xbox 360 Hard Drive 20 GB US$99.99, Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter US$99.99, Xbox 360 VGA HD AV Cable US$39.99, Xbox 360 Memory Unit 64 MB US$39.99, Xbox 360 S-Video AV Cable US$29.99, Xbox 360 Faceplate US$19.99, Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery Pack US$11.99, Xbox 360 Play and Charge kit US$19.99. (Sales in the first five days in the US: 325,902.) [597] [704.C2] [772.62] [780.60] [781.22] [817.18] [826.16] Activision releases the Call of Duty 2 video game for the Xbox 360 in the US. [730.76] [772.62] [773.146] [780.96] [854.30] Electronic Arts releases the Need for Speed: Most Wanted video game for the Xbox 360 in the US. [727] [772.110] [780.95] [854.30] Ubisoft releases the Peter Jackson's King Kong video game for the Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and GameCube in the US. [727] [772.62,112] [780.96,136] [797.22] [1080.28] November 29 Nintendo releases the Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time video game for the Nintendo DS in the US. [730.28] [772.62] [773.187] [780.96] Sony releases an update for the PlayStation Portable in the U.S., via Internet connection or installed from a Memory Stick or UMD disc. The update allows Really Simple Syndication version 2.0 for audio streams, and Windows Media Audio file playback. [597] The National Institute on Media and the Family release a report calling the video game industry-operated rating system "beyond repair." [597] November (month) Top selling video game in the US for the month: Star Wars Battlefront II for the Xbox. [778.51] [779.108] [781.114] Top selling video game in Japan for the month: Resident Evil 4 for the PlayStation 2. [781.114] (month unknown) Nintendo releases the Mario Kart DS Bundle, for US$149.99. The package includes Hot Rod Red Nintendo DS, game, wrist strap, and decals. [780.34] The postal service in France issues a series of stamps commemorating The Sims video game. [778.34] The west wing of the airport at Long Island, New York, is evacuated when X-ray inspectors flag a suspicious device in baggage. It turns out to be an Xbox 360 system. [778.48] December 2 Microsoft launches the Xbox 360 video game system in Europe. [597] [704.C2] [826.26] December 5 Nintendo releases the Super Mario Strikers video game for the GameCube in the US. [773.76,178] [871.38] December 10 Microsoft launches the Xbox 360 video game system in Japan. (Total sales in the first two days: 41,817.) [597] [704.C2] [781.22] [826.26] The Spike TV network airs Spike TV's Video Game Awards 2005 show. Best Action Game: God of War by Sony CEA. Best Cast: Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie. Best Driving Game: Burnout Revenge. Best Game Based on a Movie: Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie. Best Handheld Game: Lumines by Ubisoft. Best Individual Sports Game: Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, by Activision Publishing. Best Military Game: Call of Duty 2 by Activision. Best Multiplayer Game: World of Warcraft by Blizzard Entertainment. Best Original Song: "Maybe We Crazy" by 50 Cent, in 50 Cent Bulletproof. Best Performance by a Human Female: Charlize Theron in Aeon Flux. Best Performance by a Human Male: Jack Black in Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie. Best Team Sports Game: Madden NFL 06. Best Wireless Game: Marc Echo Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure. Cybervixen of the Year: Maria Menounosa Eve in James Bond 007 From Russia With Love. Designer of the Year: David Jaffe, for God of War. Game of the Year: Resident Evil 4. Most Addictive Game: World of Warcraft by Blizzard Entertainment. [766] December 11 The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. Someone says "... played a lot of Tetris". [1057] December 12 Square Enix releases the Final Fantasy Advance video game for the Game Boy Advance in the US. This is a port of Final Fantasy IV. [767.58] [797.23] [869.19] December 18 The History Channel airs two one-hour documentatries: Brothers in Arms: The Road to Hill 30, using simulations created with Ubisoft's Brothers in Arms video game. [827.31] December 21 U.S. District Judge Ronald Whyte rules that a California law restricting minors from buying a "violent video game" unconstitutionally restricts minors' rights to information. The judge grants the Entertainment Software Association's request for a preliminary injunction. [597] December 31 Total sales of Game Boy Advance series worldwide to date: 74 million. [1114] December (month) Top selling video game in the US for the month: Madden NFL 06 by EA Sports for the PlayStation 2. [828.96] [829.66] [865.122] Top selling video game in Japan for the month: DS Training for Adults: Work Your Brain 2 for the Nintendo DS. [865.122] Year Total sales of video game hardware and software in the USA during the year: US$10.5 billion. [1027.28] [1114] Top selling video game in the US for the year: Madden NFL 06 for the PlayStation 2. [865.30] Top selling Xbox video game in the US for the year: Madden NFL 06. [865.30] Top selling Game Boy Advance video game in the US for the year: Pokémon Emerald. [865.30] Total spending on video game in-game advertising for the year: US$56 million. [1036.27]