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Questions are being asked about Microsoft’s claim that Xbox 360 console sold over 10m units in North America in 2009.
That number comes from a Microsoft statement released in the wake of NPD’s December and 2009 report which reads: In 2009 US Xbox 360 console sales topped 10m units, with more than 1.3m sold in December, contributing to a worldwide Xbox 360 install base of 39m.”
However, eagle-eyed MCV readers have pointed out that this number seems very much at odds with NPDs own numbers.
Though NPD has not released concrete 2009 figures, adding together the Xbox 360 sales from each of the firm’s monthly reports from 2009 comes to a total of 4.7m – less than half of Microsoft’s claimed amount.
The possibility of the 10m number representing the Xbox 360’s lifetime installed US user base can also be dismissed – this news hit the headlines in May 2008.
Nintendo has stated that the Wii sold 9.6m units in the US in 2009 and Sony has pegged PS3 unit sales at 4.3m.
MCV has contacted both Microsoft and NPD for clarification.
