The 
video game industry’s retail losing streak just keeps getting uglier.
Brick and mortar video game sales were down in February, and once again they falling far short of analysts’ weak expectations. Software sales, which are the most closely watched figure, were down 27 percent from a year ago to $352 million.
A 
U.S. District Court is ordering Mario to cough up some gold coins.
A federal jury in New York has found Nintendo guilty of infringing on a key patent in the creation of its 3DS handheld system and has ordered the game maker to pay over $30 million in damages.
Playing 
video games isn’t supposed to be upsetting. You might feel some competitive pressure during a harrowing multiplayer match or a difficult level might drive you a little crazy, but “angering consumers” isn’t exactly a top priority for game makers.
Unfortunately, business is business, and what’s apparently best for game companies isn’t always best for players. A number of questionable features in new video games (and upcoming consoles) have turned otherwise happy gamers into teeth-gnashing trolls.
Some of these features are meant to curb piracy. Some aim to boost revenues. Some attempt to promote technology. Others? Well, we’re really not sure why anyone thought they were a good idea. Here are five new game features we desperately wish we could unplug.
Activision 
is getting into the microtransaction game, and it’s bringing its most notable franchise along for the ride.
Starting today, Call of Duty: Black Ops II will let players pick up small items such as extra loadout slots and gun personalization packs for prices ranging from $1 to $5.
Zynga 
shares soared Monday, after an analyst’s report mentioned the social game maker was a possible candidate for a takeover — by Yahoo!, of all companies.
Wunderlich Securities’ Blake Harper got the ball rolling, noting that while Yahoo! has been reported to be sniffing around Yelp and OpenTable, Zynga (along with Tumblr and FourSquare) would be a good match as well.
Two 
years ago, Frank Christopher Olivera was scheduling media conference calls with GameStop executives.
He was also illegally pocketing a lot of money from the company.
For 
over three decades, Mario has been the hero of Donkey Kong.
But when Mike Mika’s daughter didn’t understand why she couldn’t play as damsel-in-distress Pauline in the coin-op classic, the Oakland father turned the tables on the plumber — and hopped away as a shoo-in to win a few Dad of the Year awards.
Camping? 
First Aid? Swimming? Today’s Boy Scouts are looking for a bigger challenge.
The organization, perhaps in a bid to stay in tune with more technologically-minded youngsters, has announced a new merit badge for scouts, one that’s specifically centered on games.
Want 
to keep grandma happy? Hand her a Wiimote!
A study out of North Carolina State has found a link between elderly people who play video games and not only improved happiness, but better overall health.
Want 
to play the new SimCity? We can’t blame you — it looks terrific. But good luck getting it working.
In what’s becoming a familiar tune to early players of eagerly-anticipated titles that require an Internet connection, the game’s servers were completely overwhelmed when it launched Tuesday, preventing users from playing and angering the long-running franchise’s legions of fans.
Chris Morris: Journalist 