NPD: January video game sales down 13 percent

(AP) -- U.S. video game retail sales declined 13 percent in January, another down month for the industry after closing out a rough 2009.

In all, Americans spent nearly $1.2 billion on video game systems, software and accessories during the month, market researcher NPD Group said Thursday.

Software sales fell 12 percent from the same month a year earlier, to $597.9 million.

Nintendo's "New Super Mario Bros." was January's best-selling game. "Mass Effect 2" from Electronic Arts was in second place, even though it launched late in the month.

Hardware sales tumbled 21 percent to $353.7 million. The Nintendo Wii sold the most units among the consoles.