Video game sales got off to a better-than-expected start in 2009, according to the NPD Group, which suggests the industry is on track so far this year to meet expectations for modest growth.

Total revenue from sales of video game sales rose 9% in January, while game console sales rose a more modest 2% from a year ago, NPD reported. Both results exceeded expectations by analysts bracing for marginal, if any sales growth following a particularly robust holiday sales season, at least for this sector.

The report's findings "speaks to the continued strength of video games as one of the leading entertainment industries in the U.S.," said NPD analyst Anita Frazier.

Nintendo Co. Ltd. (NTDOY) continued its dominance of late. Nintendo of America, a Nintendo division, published five of the top 10 selling games, including the month's top three sellers, according to the data.

At 5.9 million, sales of Nintendo's Wii motion-controlled game console and the DS portable represented nearly half of all consoles sold in January. Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) said Xbox 360 sales rose 33% from a year earlier to 309,000 units in January, which was slightly above expectations.

Activision Blizzard Inc. (ATVI) also fared well. It had three games in the top 10, including No. 2 seller "Call of Duty: World At War." Electronic Arts Inc.'s (ERTS) troubles breaking into the top 10 continued in January. The Redwood City, Calif. company had just one top seller, No. 7 ranked "Left 4 Dead" for the Xbox 360, according to NPD.

-By Ben Charny, Dow Jones Newswires; 415-765-8230; ben.charny@dowjones.com