2005 Tokyo Game Show dates announced

TOKYO--The Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) announced today that the 2005 Tokyo Game Show will take place at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center from September 16-18. The first day of the show will be open to the press and invited guests only, while the final two days will be open to the public.

At this year's Tokyo Game Show, CESA hopes to strengthen its coverage of online games and mobile content, both of which are becoming more popular in Japan. The organization also hopes to draw more international exhibitors and visitors than ever before.

Last year's Tokyo Game Show attracted 160,096 visitors in three days, in part because it was the first event where the general public could see the PSP up close. To date, the highest attendance was 163,866 visitors in the fall of 1999, when the PlayStation 2 debuted at the event. The 2005 Tokyo Game Show could break that record if Sony's next-generation console, most commonly called the PlayStation 3, is present. Since Nintendo routinely skips TGS, it is unlikely its next-gen "Revolution" console will make an appearance.