The NPD Group reports record sales in U.S. gaming for '05

US retailers in 2005 sold $10.5 billion in game hardware, software, and accessories. In 2004, US retailers sold $9.9 billion through games, which means there was a 6% increase in sales during 2005. These numbers do not include PC sales, but only consoles and handhelds. On the note of handhelds, they brung in a big chunk of that $10.5 billion number, selling just over $1.4 billion thanks to the GameBoy Advance, the PSP, and the rising popularity of the Nintendo DS. As for the top games, EA and Star Wars will have to take home that prize. EA had Madden ~06 on its side, which was the #1 game in 2005 for the PS2, and the #4 game for the Xbox. They also had a few other sports titles including NBA Live and MVP Baseball which made the top ten in sales for ~05. As for Star Wars, their popular Battlefront series, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and LEGO Star Wars helped get them 3 spots in the top ten. Here is a list of the top ten games (in terms of sales) for 2005: 1. Madden NFL 06 (PS2), Electronic Arts 2. Pokemon Emerald (GBA), Nintendo of America 3. Grand Turismo 4 (PS2), SCEA 4. Madden NFL 06 (Xbox), Electronic Arts 5. NCAA Football 06 (PS2), Electronic Arts 6. Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (PS2), LucasArts 7. MVP Baseball 2005 (PS2), Electronic Arts 8. Star Wars Episode III, Revenge of the Sith (PS2), LucasArts 9. NBA Live 06 (PS2), Electronic Arts 10. LEGO Star Wars (PS2), Eidos Please note that ½ of these titles are Electronic Arts. Congrats to everybody at EA for a great year in ~05.