The latest sales data from NPD Group indicates that "new launch performance" went through a 99% decline during January 2012, as opposed to the same month in 2011.

Of course, this might have a little something to do with the fact that this was one of the 'deadest' Januaries for gamers, and probably one of the worst post-Christmas dry seasons. Still, Activision has the most reason to celebrate (as usual), seeing as CoD: Modern Warfare 3 was the biggest seller during January 2012.

However, NPD analyst Liam Callahan pointed out that: "Games like Dead Space 2, Little Big Planet 2, and DC Universe Online ranked within the top ten last year, making for a poor comparison in January '12 where there were no major releases. ... As shoppers were not drawn to stores due to new launch activity, this potentially impacted additional software purchases made on impulse."

Here are the top selling games in the US for January:

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision Blizzard)
2. Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)
3. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Softworks)
4. NBA 2K12 (Take 2 Interactive)
5. Battlefield 3 (Electronic Arts)
6. Madden NFL 12 (Electronic Arts)
7. Mario Kart 7 (Nintendo)
8. Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (Activision Blizzard)
9. Zumba Fitness 2: Party Yourself (Majesco)
10. Saints Row: The Third (THQ)

Callahan stressed that consumers most likely spent between $350 million to $450 million on video games elsewhere than retail including "used games, full game and add-on content downloads, social network games, mobile games, rentals and subscriptions."

Source.