Xbox 360 Sales Lag Behind PS2

While nearly five years old, the PlayStation 2 continues to be a considerable force at retail in the United States, even outselling the Xbox 360, data from the NPD Group indicates. Only in one month since Microsoft launched its next generation console, April, has the company been able to best the venerable game system.

In May, the PS2 sold approximately 232,000 units to the Xbox 360's 221,000. In April, the roles were reversed, with the Xbox 360 outpacing the PS2 by about 90,000 consoles with an estimated 295,381 consoles sold.

The sudden jump in April may have had a lot to do with Microsoft ramping up shipments of the console in late March. The addition of a third manufacturer proceeded to flood the market with available consoles, and the effect is noticeable.

Checks by BetaNews at several retail locations across the Philadelphia metropolitan area showed ample supply of the console, with sales continuing to be brisk. Similar reports have been the norm elsewhere, according to online reports.

Even though some may use the data as a basis to argue that the PS3 has nothing to worry about, comparing the two consoles is somewhat difficult. The PS2 at a price of $129 is less than half the cost of the core Xbox 360. Additionally, the manufacturing and shipment process for Sony is much more mature than Microsoft, meaning the electronics manufacturer is able to bring consoles to the market much faster.

Altogether, in the first six months since the Xbox 360's launch, Microsoft has sold over 1.7 million consoles in the US. However, should the PlayStation 3 not do as well as Sony hoped, continuing strength in the PS2 could buoy the company for years to come.

Game console sales numbers were first reported by Videogamecharts.com.