Sales of video game industry (software and machines) fell by 31% in the United States in June, to 1.17 billion, a decline not seen since 2000, notes the consultant NPD.

Software sales fell 29% to 625.8 million and equipment from 38% to 382.6 million. Sales of accessories decreased by 22%.

The cost of game consoles partly explains these results, according to Michael Pachter, analyst with Wedbush Morgan. 'It is clear that consumers expect lower prices,' said Pachter, who anticipates a rebound in sales in September with the launch of headlines.

Since the beginning of the year, sales of video game industry are down 12%, NPD said in a report published Thursday.

Once again the Wii is that Nintendo has sold best in June (362,000 copies). But its sales are down 45% compared to June 2008.

Nintendo said the Wii was the top-seller in the USA for 21 consecutive months.

The video game industry seems in turn affected by the crisis, when he went so far to be relatively immune. 'This is one of the first month, in my opinion, the impact of the economic situation is clearly reflected in the sales figures', thus Anita Frazier, NPD analyst. She also believes that the consumer expects perhaps an opportunity, exit of a headline or lower prices for materials, to spend.

The Microsoft Xbox 360 occupies the second place, but is also the only record sales growth yoy, followed by 2 and PlayStation 3 from Sony.

Sales of the portable console Nintendo DS accounted for 767,000 copies, far more than the 164,000 Sony PDP, says NPD.