Console makers’ dreams of the biggest holiday sales season in video game history were shattered on Thursday when the publisher Take-Two admitted it would have to delay its eagerly awaited title Grand Theft Auto IV until next year.

Along with Electronic Arts’ Madden NFL 08, to be released in the next two weeks, and Microsoft’s Halo 3, launching in September, GTA IV was part of a blockbuster triple-play of games that were expected to sell in their millions and give a much-needed boost to console sales. GTA IV was being released on the next-generation Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 systems, helping Microsoft and Sony, whose consoles have been outsold by the Nintendo Wii.