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U.S. Video Game Industry Grows 43 Percent Over 2007

According to market research firm NPD, U.S. video games sales totaled $17.9 billion last year (a record), up from $13.5 billion in 2006, thanks to shiny new consoles and a slew of great games.

"The U.S. Video Games industry rose an astounding 43% in 2007 bolstered by strong performance in every product category," said NPD analyst, Anita Frazier. "While I wouldn't count on similar growth in 2008, I would expect to see 2008 increase over 2007, with more growth (proportionately) coming from software sales."

In terms of how things went down, the DS was the best-selling system last year with 8.5 million dual-screeners sold, followed by 6.3 million Wiis, 4.6 million Xbox 360s, 4 million PS2s, 3.8 million PSPs, and 2.6 million PS3s.

Halo 3 was the top-selling game last year, followed by a persistent Wii Play, a realistic Call of Duty 4 (360), a rocking Guitar Hero 3 (PS2), and an imaginative Super Mario Galaxy. Pokemon Diamond (DS), Madden 08 (PS2), Guitar Hero II (PS2), Assassin's Creed (360), and Mario Party 8 (Wii) filled out the bottom five.

"In a year of records, Mario was the second-best selling video games property for the year and remains the historically best-selling property in the video games industry," added Frazier.

For more computer gaming news, visit GamePro. Story copyright © 2007 IDG Entertainment. All rights reserved.