US video game sales post largest decline

US sales of video game equipment and software fell 31 per cent to $1.17 billion in June, research group NPD said last Thursday, the largest decline since 2000.

Sales of game software fell 29 per cent to $625.8 million, while hardware sales dropped 38 per cent to $382.6 million. Sales of accessories declined 22 per cent.

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter blamed the decline in part on the high cost of video game consoles.

"The consumer is just not buying hardware at these prices... clearly the consumer is just waiting for price cuts," said Pachter, who expects industry sales to pick up in September with the release of new high-profile titles.

Overall video game sales are down 12 per cent year-to-date, NPD said.

Nintendo's Wii was once again the top-selling home console in June with 362,000 units, although sales were down about 45 per cent from the same month last year. The Wii has been the top home console in the United States for 21 consecutive months, Nintendo said.