The Xbox 360 is once again the highest selling console in the US, according to data released by the NPD Group, with the console sold 270,000 units in May - up 39 percent over last year.

The Xbox 360 has occupied the top-spot for 11 of the last 12 months, and enjoyed 17 consecutive months of year-on-year sales growth. Microsoft released an official response predicting that the seventh year of the Xbox 360's life-cycle would be its most successful, "a feat never achieved by any console in history."

Four of the top-ten console games in May were available on Xbox 360 – L.A. Noire, Portal 2, Mortal Kombat, and Brink – with software sales reaching $140 million for the system and total retail spend amounting to $265 million, the highest of any current generation console.

However, while Microsoft's game business is enjoying a period of growth, the NPD data painted a less optimistic picture for the wider industry. Sales of hardware and accessories were both down year-on-year, with physical software sales at their lowest point since October 2006.

Nevertheless, Microsoft is anticipating a "monumental" finish to 2011, "with the biggest blockbuster games, Kinect games and experiences, as well as movies, music and TV together all in one place. This will propel Xbox 360 to be number one worldwide by the end of the year, out-selling PlayStation 3 and Wii."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...one-spot-in-us