PS4 leads hardware sales again in March as Xbox One ships 5m lifetime

The PlayStation 4 outsold all other consoles in the US for the third month running, NPD’s March 2013 report shows.

While still lagging behind, Microsoft was quick to boast that Xbox One has now shipped 5m consoles – selling 311,000 units during March.

"Of course, we’re just getting started with this generation and the months ahead will bring several announcements we think you’ll love,” the company stated on Xbox Wire.

The team will continue to deliver regular improvements and new features based on your feedback through frequent system updates …. We can’t wait to share more games with you in June at E3."

Sony announced earlier this week that PS4 sales had moved past 7m – but regardless of who is ahead in the next-gen console race, the games market is benefiting from it.

NPD’s report states that overall game sales for the month were up 3 per cent from March 2013, further adding that the PS4 and Xbox One are outselling their respective predecessors.

"When comparing the first five months of sales for the Xbox One and PS4 to their predecessor’s first five months, total Xbox One and PS4 sales are up close to 60 percent,” NPD’s Liam Callahan said.

Video game accessory sales were up 4 per cent in March – thanks to sales of Xbox One and PS4 peripherals as well as Turtle Beach headphones and headsets for next-gen consoles. The peripheral company specifically saw sales grow 50 per cent year-over-year during the month.

Software sales saw an overall decline of 27 per cent, with all platforms showing declines – save for the Vita, thanks to Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster’s release on the handheld.

Titanfall topped the software category, becoming the second-highest selling Xbox One title available in the process and doing so in under a month’s time.

1. Titanfall (Xbox One, PC)
2. inFAMOUS Second Son (PS4)
3. South Park: The Stick Of Truth (360, PS3, PC)
4. Call Of Duty: Ghosts (360, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Wii U, PC)
5. Dark Souls II (PS3, 360)
6. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (PS4, Xbox One, PS3, 360)
7. NBA 2K14 (360, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, PC)
8. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster (PS3, PS Vita)
9. The LEGO Movie Videogame (360, PS3, 3DS, Wii U, XBO, PS4, PS Vita)
10. Minecraft (360)