Despite losing out to Xbox 360 in the August US hardware battle, Sony has concentrated on the many positives the firm can enjoy in its response to the latest NPD stats.

PS3 shifted 185,353 units in the US throughout August, with sales so far in 2008 hitting two million – 92 per cent up on the number of units shifted by this stage in 2007. Year-to-date software sales have increased by the same margin.

Whilst multi-platform games continue to sell better on Xbox 360, Sony also points out that the attach rate for its machine on individual titles is better. For example, Madden NFL 09 sold 643,000 copies on PS3, representing an attach rate 33 per cent higher than that shown on Xbox 360.

The PSP’s resurgence continues too, with its August unit sales of 253,012 bumping it’s year-to-date numbers 67 per cent above those enjoyed by this stage in 2007.

“We had yet another strong month for PlayStation in August, which validates that consumers are indeed recognizing the long-term value that PS3 offers as both a gaming and home entertainment device,” SCEA CEO Jack Tretton stated. “We also began shipping the new 80GB PS3 model in late August to address any short term inventory transitions from the 40GB to 80GB model.

“We’re looking forward to a solid holiday season and are excited to offer a string of unmatched content to consumers in the coming months with LittleBigPlanet, SOCOM: Confrontation, Resistance 2, and MotorStorm: Pacific Rift.”