The video game market, including software and hardware, saw sales reach $2.63 billion last month in the US – an increase of 52 per cent compared to the same period the year before. And compared to this stage in 2006, year-to-date sales have climbed a massive 50 per cent to reach $13.12 billion.

"If the year had ended on December 1st, 2007 would be up five percent versus last year,” NPD analyst Anita Frazier stated, according to Next-Gen. “With the biggest month of the year yet to go, total industry sales are on track to achieve between $18 billion and $19 billion in the US.”

And whilst the Wii enjoyed its best month ever, with sales 60 per cent higher than at this stage last year, the PS3 is the machine boasting the biggest improvement.

Software sales were up 62 per cent, hitting $1.3 billion, with the Xbox 360 version of Call of Duty 4 leading the way with unit sales of 1.57 million. The second best performer was Nintendo’s Super Mario Galaxy, which sold 1.12 million, closely followed by Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed with sales of 980,000.