2005 in video games


2005 saw the release of many sequels and prequels in video games, such as ', Mario Kart DS, ' and , alongside several prominent new releases including F.E.A.R., Forza Motorsport, God of War, Guitar Hero, Shadow of the Colossus, and Sniper Elite.

Events

Business

Notable releases

ReleaseTitlePC6th Gen7th GenHandheld
January 10'GBA
January 10Software TycoonLinux
January 11Resident Evil 4GCN
January 11'PS2, Xbox
January 11'PS2
January 12Banjo-PilotGBA
January 16The PunisherWindowsPS2, Xbox
January 18Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken AngelPS2
January 18Street Racing SyndicateWin
January 18Virtua QuestPS2
January 18Zoo KeeperNDS
January 19Virtua QuestGCN
January 25'Xbox
January 25'WinPS2, Xbox
February 4Postal²: Share the PainLinux
February 8Racing Gears AdvanceGBA
February 8'Windows
February 8Shadow of RomePS2
February 8'GBA
February 8'GBA
February 8Winnie the Pooh's Rumbly Tumbly AdventureGCN, PS2GBA
February 14Star Fox AssaultGCN
February 14'NDS
February 15ConstantineWindowsPS2, Xbox
February 15Nano BreakerPS2
February 15'PS2
February 22FIFA StreetPS2, Xbox, GCN
February 22Gran Turismo 4PS2
February 22MVP Baseball 2005WindowsGCN, PS2, Xbox
February 22'Xbox
February 22Ace Combat AdvanceGBA
February 23'GBA
February 23Project SnowblindPS2, Xbox
February 23Super Army WarGBA
February 24'PS2
February 24Tekken 5PS2
February 27'Xbox
February 28American McGee Presents: ScraplandXbox
February 28Fight Night Round 2PS2, Xbox, GCN
February 28Ice NineGBA
February 28'Xbox
March 1'Xbox
March 1'PS2
March 1'GCN
March 1'Windows
March 1'GCN
March 3'Win
March 8MLB 2006PS2PSP
March 8Rave MasterGCN
March 13Pokémon DashNDS
March 14Donkey Kong Jungle BeatGCN
March 14'PSP
March 14'PSP
March 14Yoshi Touch & GoNDS
March 15'Windows
March 15'WindowsPS2
March 15Cold FearPS2, Xbox
March 15Driver 3Windows
March 15'PS2
March 15Phantom DustXbox
March 15'GBA
March 15Spider-Man 2PSP
March 15Super Monkey Ball DeluxePS2, Xbox
March 15Tony Hawk's Underground 2: RemixPSP
March 16Dynasty WarriorsPSP
March 16MX vs. ATV UnleashedPS2
March 16Retro Atari ClassicsNDS
March 21NFL Street 2 UnleashedPSP
March 21'GCN, PS2, Xbox
March 22'PS2, Xbox, GCN
March 22God of WarPS2
March 22LuminesPSP
March 22The Matrix OnlineWindows
March 22Metal Gear AcidPSP
March 22Shining TearsPS2
March 24'GBA
March 24'PSP
March 24MX vs. ATV UnleashedXbox
March 24'NDS
March 24Ridge RacerPSP
March 24'PSP
March 24Wipeout PurePSP
March 25Iron PhoenixXbox
March 28Mario Party AdvanceGBA
March 29Dynasty Warriors 5PS2
March 29'Xbox
March 29'Xbox
March 30'PS2
March 31'WindowsPS2, Xbox, GCN
April 3Doom 3Xbox
April 3'Windows
April 5Rise of the KasaiPS2
April 5'WindowsPS2, XboxGBA
April 5'PS2
April 5SWAT 4Win
April 6Archer Maclean's MercuryPSP
April 6'Xbox
April 11'PS2, Xbox
April 12Jade EmpireXbox
April 18PolariumNDS
April 18'Xbox
April 19'PSP
April 19PsychonautsXbox
April 20WWE Wrestlemania 21Xbox
April 21Haunting GroundPS2
April 21Raze's HellXbox
April 24'GBA
April 25Crash BandicootMobile
April 26Guild WarsWindows
April 26Pac-PixNDS
April 26PsychonautsWindows
April 26ObsCureWindowsPS2, Xbox
April 26'PSP
April 27Motocross Mania 3PS2, Xbox
April 27NBA Street ShowdownPSP
April 27'PS2, Xbox
May 1Pokémon Emerald GBA
May 2Pac-Man Pinball AdvanceGBA
May 3Forza MotorsportXbox
May 3'PSP
May 3PariahWindowsXbox
May 3Puyo Pop FeverNDS
May 5'PS2, XboxGBA, NDS, Mobile
May 9'GCN
May 11Cold WinterPS2
May 23'GBA
May 23'GBA
May 24MadagascarWindowsGCN, PS2, XboxGBA, NDS
May 31Advent RisingXbox
June 2Digimon World 4GCN, PS2, Xbox
June 7'Windows
June 7'GCN, PS2, Xbox
June 13JuicedWindowsPS2, Xbox
June 13Yoshi Topsy-TurvyGBA
June 13'NDS
June 14'PS2
June 14Batman BeginsGCN, PS2, XboxGBA
June 14Capcom Fighting EvolutionXbox
June 21Battlefield 2Windows
June 21BombermanNDS
June 21'Xbox
June 21Destroy All Humans!PS2, Xbox
June 21Mega Man Battle Network 5GBA
June 22PsychonautsPS2
June 24Soul RideLinux
June 27Fantastic FourWindowsGCN, PS2, XboxGBA
June 27MeteosNDS
June 27'PSP
June 28'PSP
June 28'Windows
June 28'GBA
July 5FaçadeWindows, Mac OS X
July 6Coded ArmsPSP
July 7killer7PS2, GCN
July 11Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryPS2, Xbox, GCNGBA
July 12FlatOut WinXbox
July 19NanostrayNDS
July 20'PS2
July 26'GBA
July 26Disney's Kim Possible 3: Team PossibleGBA
July 26'PS2
July 29Worms 4WindowsPS2, Xbox
August 2'GBA
August 3'Xbox
August 8Madden NFL 06PS2, GCNNDS
August 9Advent RisingWindows
August 9'GBA
August 15GeistGCN
August 16Death Jr.PSP
August 16Dungeon Siege IIWindows
August 16'PS2
August 16'GCN
August 16Pac 'n RollNDS
August 16Sigma Star SagaGBA
August 17Madden NFL 06Windows
August 22NintendogsNDS
August 22'NDS
August 23187 Ride or DiePS2, Xbox
August 23'PS2, Xbox
August 23'PS2, GCN, Xbox
August 25'PS2
August 29Dynasty Warriors AdvanceGBA
August 29Mario Superstar BaseballGCN
August 29WWE Day of Reckoning 2GCN
August 30'WindowsXbox
August 31World Series of PokerPS2, Xbox
September'Windows
September 6Radiata StoriesPS2
September 6'GBA
September 7'GCN, PS2
September 8'GBA
September 13'PS2
September 13Burnout LegendsPSP
September 13Burnout RevengePS2, Xbox
September 13Dynasty Warriors 5Xbox
September 13'Windows
September 13'WindowsPS2, Xbox
September 13GripShiftPSP
September 13: ResurrectionPSP
September 13Scooby-Doo! UnmaskedPS2, GCN, XboxGBA, NDS
September 13World Series of PokerWindows
September 14Tecmo Classic ArcadeXbox
September 14World Series of PokerGCN
September 15Fire Pro Wrestling ReturnsPS2
September 15World Series of PokerPSP
September 16'PS2, Xbox
September 19DK King of SwingGBA
September 19FrantixPSP
September 19'PS2, Xbox, GCNGBA, NDS
September 20'PS2
September 20Gretzky NHL 2006PS2
September 20Fahrenheit: Indigo ProphecyWindowsPS2, Xbox
September 20'Xbox
September 20Legend of KayPS2
September 20'Windows
September 20Ninja Gaiden BlackXbox
September 20Space Invaders RevolutionNDS
September 20We Love KatamariPS2
September 20Whac-A-MoleGBA
September 20'GCN, PS2, XboxNDS, PSP
September 20'WindowsGCN, PS2, Xbox
September 22Ultimate Spider-ManWindowsGCN, PS2, XboxGBA, NDS
September 26'NDS
September 26FahrenheitPS2, Xbox
September 26'PS2
September 26Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06PSP
September 26Top SpinPS2
September 27Capcom Classics CollectionPS2, Xbox
September 27Far Cry InstinctsXbox
September 27'PS2, Xbox, GCN
September 27Lost in BlueNDS
September 27'NDS
September 27'GCN
September 28Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 2PS2
September 29Battalion WarsGCN
September 29'NDS, PSP
September 30'PS2, Xbox
October 2FahrenheitWindows
October 3'GCN
October 4'NDS
October 4'WinPS2, GCNGBA
October 4FIFA 06WindowsPS2, Xbox, GCNNDS, Mobile
October 4Mega Man Zero 4GBA
October 4Street Racing SyndicateGBA
October 4'NDS
October 5'Xbox
October 7Black & White 2Windows
October 7'PSP
October 7'PS2, Xbox
October 10'PS2, Xbox
October 10'GBA
October 10L.A. RushPS2, Xbox
October 11FIFA 06PSP, GBA
October 11'GCN, PS2, Xbox
October 11SOCOM 3PS2
October 11Hello Kitty: Happy Party PalsGBA
October 11Zoo Tycoon DSNDS
October 11Serious Sam IIWindowsXbox
October 11SSX on TourGCN, PS2, XboxPSP
October 12Devil KingsPS2
October 12'NDS
October 13FlatOut PS2
October 16Teen TitansGBA
October 17'Xbox
October 17F.E.A.R.WindowsXbox 360
October 17The WarriorsPS2
October 18Quake 4Windows
October 18Age of Empires IIIWindows
October 18'NDS
October 18'PS2
October 18Shadow of the ColossusPS2
October 18'NDS
October 18Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a PulseXbox
October 18The ConPSP
October 18The Fairly Oddparents! Clash with the Anti-WorldGBA
October 18'Windows
October 19'GCN
October 19Crash Tag Team RacingPS2, GCN, Xbox
October 19'PSP
October 19Zatch Bell! Mamodo BattlesGCN, PS2
October 20Navy Field OnlineWindows
October 21SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Cameras, Pants!PS2, Xbox
October 24'WindowsXbox
October 24Dance Dance Revolution Mario MixGCN
October 24'PSP
October 24Metroid Prime PinballNDS
October 24Nintendogs: Best FriendsNDS
October 25Atomic BettyGBA
October 25'PS2, Xbox
October 25Call of Duty 2 Windows
October 25Civilization IVWindows
October 25Driver 3GBA
October 25Gunstar Super HeroesGBA
October 25'GBA
October 25'GCN
October 25Resident Evil 4PS2
October 25'PS2
October 25Shrek SuperSlamWindowsGCN, PS2, XboxGBA, NDS
October 25Soul Calibur IIIPS2
October 26'WindowsPS2, Xbox
October 26'PSP
October 26Nicktoons UniteGBA
November 1'PS2, Xbox, GCN
November 1'GCN, PS2, Xbox
November 1'PS2, Xbox
November 1Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team DSNDS
November 1Shamu's Deep Sea AdventuresPS2, Xbox
November 1'WindowsPS2, XboxPSP
November 1'WindowsPS2, Xbox, GCNNDS, GBA
November 1'GBA
November 3'WindowsPS2, Xbox, GCNGBA
November 7'GBA
November 7'Xbox 360
November 7'GBA
November 7Mario Party 7GCN
November 7'WindowsPS2, Xbox
November 8'PS2
November 8'PS2
November 8Guitar HeroPS2
November 8GunPS2, Xbox, GCN
November 8Harry Potter And The Goblet Of FireWindowsPS2, Xbox, GCNNDS, GBA
November 8Shamu's Deep Sea AdventuresGCNGBA, NDS
November 8'PSP
November 8Suikoden TacticsPS2
November 8'PSP
November 8The MoviesWindows
November 8'NDS
November 8'GCN
November 9Big Mutha TruckersGBA
November 10Crash Tag Team RacingPSP
November 13'GBA
November 13The Proud FamilyGBA
November 14'NDS
November 14'NDS
November 14'WindowsPS2, Xbox, GCNNDS, GBA
November 14'GBA
November 14Mario Kart DSNDS
November 15Shadow the HedgehogPS2, Xbox, GCN
November 15'Xbox 360
November 15Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 3Xbox
November 15'PS2
November 15Harry Potter And The Goblet Of FirePSP
November 15InfectedPSP
November 15Kingdom of ParadisePSP
November 15'PS2
November 15'PS2
November 15Pac-Man World 3WindowsGCN, PS2, XboxNDS
November 15Sonic RushNDS
November 15Totally Spies!GBA
November 15'WindowsPS2, Xbox, GCN
November 15'PS2
November 15WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006PS2
November 16Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2PS2, Xbox, GCN
November 16'NDS
November 16'Xbox 360
November 16'WindowsGCN, PS2, XboxXbox 360GBA, NDS, PSP
November 17'PS2, Xbox
November 17Perfect Dark ZeroXbox 360
November 17'Xbox 360
November 20'NDS
November 21'Windows
November 21College Hoops 2K6Xbox
November 21'GBA
November 22Amped 3Xbox 360
November 22Call of Duty 2Xbox 360
November 22Dragon Quest VIIIPS2
November 22Geometry Wars: Retro EvolvedXBLA
November 22Mutant Storm ReloadedXBLA
November 22Outpost Kaloki XXBLA
November 22Ridge Racer 6X360
November 22'NDS
November 22Quake 4Xbox 360
November 28'NDS
November 29Burnout LegendsNDS
November 30College Hoops 2K6PS2
November 30'WindowsPS2, Xbox, GCN
December 5'NDS
December 5'GBA
December 5Super Mario StrikersGCN
December 5TokobotPSP
December 6Battles of Prince of PersiaNDS
December 6Bust-a-Move DSNDS
December 6Pac-Man World 3PSP
December 6'PSP
December 7Dragon BoosterNDS
December 7The Sims 2PSP
December 12Final Fantasy IV AdvanceGBA
December 12'PS2, Xbox
December 13'PSP
December 13Ultimate Block PartyPSP
December 15'PSP
December 20Chaos FieldGCN
December 20PSP
December 22Kingdom Hearts IIPS2
December 29Dead or Alive 4Xbox 360

Trends

In 2005, the total U.S. sales of video game hardware, software and accessories rose 6% over 2004 to $10.5 billion USD breaking 2002's $10.3 billion record for the industry.
The increase is largely due to the portable game market which counterbalanced sluggish console game sales. Delays, hardware shortages, and anticipation of next-generation video game consoles have been cited as reasoning for slow sales for both console games and console hardware. Console games and hardware dropped by 12% and 3% respectively.
The portable market of the video game industry rose to $1.4 billion, the second time sales broke the $1 billion mark in the industry's history. Mostly due to the release of the Nintendo DS and the PlayStation Portable in North America, sales for portable hardware rose 96% over 2004. Although the release of the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP aided in spurring growth in the portable market, the Game Boy Advance still represented 62% total portable software units sold and 52% of total portable software dollar sales.
Computer games continued its trend and declined by 14%, dropping from $1.1 billion in 2004 to $953 million. Although sales did decrease, NPD claims that playing games on the PC is actually increasing through a variety of different mediums including online websites and MMO subscriptions.

Video game systems

Additionally, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii were officially unveiled during or just prior to E3; however, only the Xbox 360 was released in 2005. The Xbox 360 was released in North America on November 22, Europe on December 2, and Japan on December 10.

Handheld game systems

Additionally, the Game Boy Micro was unveiled and was released in the fall of 2005.

Video game sales

RankTitlePlatformPublisher
1Mario Kart DSNintendo DSNintendo
2Pokémon EmeraldGBANintendo
3Super Mario StrikersGameCubeNintendo
4Madden NFL 06XboxEA Sports
5NCAA Football 06PS2EA Sports
6'PS2LucasArts
7MVP Baseball 2005PS2EA Sports
8'PS2LucasArts
9NBA Live 06PS2EA Sports
10DSNintendo

Computer game sales

Critically acclaimed titles

and GameRankings are aggregators of video game journalism reviews.
GamePublisherRelease DatePlatformMC scoreGR score
Resident Evil 4CapcomOctober 25, 2005PlayStation 296/10095.85%
Resident Evil 4CapcomJanuary 11, 2005GameCube96/10095.83%
Ninja Gaiden BlackTecmoSeptember 20, 2005Xbox94/10094.76%
'UbisoftMarch 28, 2005Xbox94/10094.02%
God of WarSony Computer EntertainmentMarch 22, 2005PlayStation 294/10093.58%
Civilization IV2K GamesOctober 25, 2005Microsoft Windows94/10093.36%
'KonamiDecember 22, 2005PlayStation 294/10092.97%
Forza MotorsportMicrosoft Game StudiosMay 3, 2005Xbox92/10093.05%
'Rockstar GamesJune 7, 2005Xbox93/10092.29%
'Rockstar GamesJune 7, 2005Microsoft Windows93/10091.94%
'UbisoftMarch 28, 2005Microsoft Windows92/10091.44%
Guitar HeroRedOctaneNovember 7, 2005PlayStation 291/10091.96%
Shadow of the ColossusSony Computer EntertainmentOctober 18, 2005PlayStation 291/10091.43%
Mario Kart DSNintendoNovember 14, 2005Nintendo DS91/10091.43%
Battlefield 2Electronic ArtsJune 21, 2005Microsoft Windows91/10090.07%
'KonamiAugust 25, 2005Nintendo DS89/10090.35%
Burnout RevengeElectronic ArtsSeptember 13, 2005PlayStation 290/10090.3%
'NintendoJune 23, 2005Nintendo DS90/10090.28%
Pro Evolution Soccer 5KonamiAugust 4, 2005Microsoft Windows89/10090.25%
PsychonautsMajesco EntertainmentApril 19, 2005Xbox88/10090.21%
Half-Life 2ValveNovember 15, 2005Xbox90/10089.83%
Silent Hunter IIIUbisoftMarch 15, 2005Microsoft Windows90/10088.65%
'Graphsim EntertainmentJune 28, 2005Microsoft Windows90/10088.56%
Burnout RevengeElectronic ArtsSeptember 13, 2005Xbox89/10089.99%
Call of Duty 2ActivisionNovember 22, 2005Xbox 36089/10089.78%
Guild WarsNCSoftApril 26, 2005Microsoft Windows89/10089.67%
Football Manager 2006SegaOctober 21, 2005Microsoft Windows89/10089.48%
Jade EmpireMicrosoft Game StudiosApril 12, 2005Xbox89/10089.46%
'UbisoftMarch 28, 2005PlayStation 287/10089.27%
Tekken 5NamcoMarch 31, 2005PlayStation 288/10089.2%
Pro Evolution Soccer 5KonamiOctober 21, 2005Xbox89/10088.25%
NBA Street V3EA SportsFebruary 8, 2005PlayStation 289/10088.18%
Halo 2 Multiplayer Map PackMicrosoft Game StudiosJuly 5, 2005Xbox89/10088.04%
NBA Street V3EA SportsFebruary 8, 2005Xbox89/10087.77%
F.E.A.R.Vivendi Universal GamesOctober 18, 2005Microsoft Windows88/10088.94%
SnakesNokiaJanuary 25, 2005N-GageN/A88.78%
Project Gotham Racing 3Microsoft Game StudiosNovember 22, 2005Xbox 36088/10088.59%
'UbisoftMarch 1, 2005Xbox88/10088.43%
Wipeout PureSony Computer EntertainmentMarch 24, 2005PlayStation Portable88/10088.26%
Pro Evolution Soccer 5KonamiAugust 4, 2005PlayStation 2N/A88.25%
Fight Night Round 2EA SportsFebruary 28, 2005Xbox88/10088.18%
PsychonautsMajesco EntertainmentApril 19, 2005Microsoft Windows87/10088.14%
MeteosBandaiMarch 10, 2005Nintendo DS88/10088.13%
NBA Street V3EA SportsFebruary 8, 2005GameCube88/10087.76%
Doom 3ActivisionApril 3, 2005Xbox88/10087.63%
MVP Baseball 2005EA SportsFebruary 22, 2005GameCube88/10087.53%
'Rockstar GamesOctober 24, 2005PlayStation Portable88/10087.45%
Fight Night Round 2EA SportsFebruary 28, 2005PlayStation 288/10087.31%
'Electronic ArtsJanuary 25, 2005Xbox88/10087.04%
Madden NFL 06EA SportsAugust 8, 2005PlayStation 288/10085.26%
'UbisoftMarch 15, 2005Microsoft Windows87/10087.97%
Burnout LegendsElectronic ArtsSeptember 13, 2005PlayStation Portable86/10087.73%
NCAA Football 06EA SportsJuly 11, 2005Xbox87/10087.68%
Call of Duty 2ActivisionOctober 25, 2005Microsoft Windows86/10087.57%
'Microsoft Game StudiosNovember 22, 2005Xbox 36086/10087.52%