Xbox 360 again the most popular console among U.S. gamers
Microsoft has extended its streak of console sales leadership into its third year.
Research firm NPD yesterday released its game-market sales for January. Microsoft led U.S. console sales for the 25th-consecutive month, tallying 281,000 units sold. At that sales level, Microsoft was able to grab 44 percent console market share. All told, consumers spent $338 million on Xbox 360 hardware, software, and accessories during the period.
Despite the Xbox 360's success, overall hardware sales were down 17 percent compared to January 2011, reaching $205 million during the period. Software sales hit $373.1 million, and total industry sales across hardware, software, and accessories, was $834.7 million.
Compared to January 2012, those figures appear to be up year-over-year. However, NPD's data is based on a system that covers 364 of the 365 days in a year. Therefore, every five or six years, the company must add a so-called "Leap Week" to ensure its data is accurate and accounts for all days. This January, NPD used its Leap Week, meaning the period included an extra week compared to January 2012.
It's not clear by how much Microsoft was able to top its competitors in the console market. Both Sony and Nintendo have so far remained tight-lipped on actual unit sales during January, and NPD does not publicly release hardware unit sales.
On the software side, Call of Duty: Black Ops II was once again the leader, followed by Far Cry 3 and Just Dance 4. NBA 2K 13 and Madden NFL 13 rounded out the top five.
This article originally appeared on CNET.