Xbox redesign outsells Wii in NPD numbers

Launching the redesigned Xbox 360 in June has helped Microsoft overtake the Nintendo Wii, new NPD data shows. Slimming down the console and adding both Wi-Fi and more storage boosted US sales 88 percent higher year-over-year to 451,700, pushing past Nintendo's 422,500. Both were spikes versus May, when Nintendo sold 335,000 systems and Microsoft had moved only about 195,000 of the old Xbox design.

Sony also saw a rapid increase in PS3 sales from month to month, doubling from about 154,000 in May to 305,000, though without a new design it owed most of the increase to the end of shortages that had artificially cut the number of consoles it could sell.

Some of the Microsoft and Sony sales could also be attributed to Red Dead Redemption; the Western open-world game sold roughly one million copies in June and, at 2.5 million copies so far, is the best-selling game to date for 2010 on all platforms.

Microsoft isn't likely to sustain its current level as the initial rush of demand will have cooled off, but all three companies are counting on the second half of the year more than ever to drive sales. For Microsoft, the slim Xbox 360 along with Kinect will be crucial. Sony hasn't detailed any changes of its own but should have 160GB and 320GB PS3s on shelves in North America by the fall as well as the PlayStation Move. Nintendo is counting mostly on its earlier Wii price drop to $200 as well its new MotionPlus bundles to keep in the lead.

By Electronista Staff