June video game sales drop sharply

NEW YORK — Squeezed by the economic downturn, U.S. retail sales of video games dropped sharply in June.

Market researcher NPD Group says sales of game hardware, software and accessories plunged 31 percent from the same month last year, to $1.17 billion. NPD says this was the biggest year-over-year decline since September 2000.

As expected, the Nintendo Wii was the month’s best-selling console, while the Nintendo DS was the top-performing handheld gaming device.

Best-selling games included “Prototype” from Activision Blizzard Inc., fighting game “UFC 2009: Undisputed” from THQ Inc. and the fitness game “EA Sports Active” from Electronic Arts Inc.