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Xbox 360: 15 months as the best-selling console in the US

Microsoft is enjoying its fifteenth consecutive month as the best-selling console in the U.S., according to NPD data.
Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer

There could be a reason why Microsoft doesn't want to talk about a replacement for the aging Xbox 360 console just yet -- because it continues to sell so well.

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Microsoft is enjoying its fifteenth consecutive month as the best-selling console in the U.S., according to data by NPD. In March, 371,000 Xbox 360 units were sold, allowing it to hold on to a 42 percent share of current-generation console sales.

Total retail spend on the Xbox 360 platform in March -- covering hardware, software and accessories -- was also through the roof, with consumers spending a massive $430 million. This was more than PS3 and Wii spending combined.

A good selection of AAA-title games is helping to keep the Xbox relevant, with the Xbox holding five of the top 10 U.S. console game titles including Mass Effect 3, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, NBA 2K12,  and Major League Baseball 2K12.

Microsoft is also positioning the Xbox 360 as a home entertainment hub, having recently added voice-controlled TV apps from Comcast and HBO GO in the U.S., and MLB TV to the console giving owners easy access to TV shows, sports and music with voice control and Kinect voice search.

According to Microsoft, since entertainment apps on Xbox 360 began rolling out to the consoles last December, total hours spent on Xbox LIVE globally has grown 30 percent year over year. In other words, people want to do more with their consoles than just game.

While there's no doubt that PC gaming is being throttled by the current line-up of aging consoles, given these level of sales it's clear that consumers don't see a need for Microsoft to update the console yet.

My guess it will be 2014 before we see an updated Xbox.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons.

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