PS3 tops UK poll as most anticipated next-gen console

Survey gives Sony's console 5 per cent lead over Xbox 360

With just weeks to go until the Xbox 360 hits European shelves, a survey has revealed that UK gamers are most looking forward to the arrival of the PlayStation 3.

The survey, which was conducted by research firm XTN Data in September, found that of the 1000 respondents questioned, 32 per cent were planning to buy a PS3, while 27 per cent said they would purchase an Xbox 360. The survey did not ask respondents for their opinion on Nintendo's Revolution console.

"This comes despite huge efforts by Microsoft to launch in time for the vital Christmas period and before Sony's 2006 launch," said XTN Data founder Greig Harper. The Xbox 360 is due to launch in Europe on December 2.

The survey also found that 11 per cent of those questioned use filesharing software to download games illegally. The most downloaded titles are Rome: Total War and The Sims 2, with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas topping the bill - it's downloaded an average of 75 times per hour.

Theres only 5% it though, thats only 50 people, which is not a massive amount. I reckon MS could steal the show by releasing the console before christmas, providing they have plenty of consoles in stock.