PS3 beats Xbox 360 in monthly sales, again

For the second month in a row, the PlayStation 3 edged the Xbox 360 in terms of monthly sales. Is the once-struggling PS3 on a roll?

Ars Technica got its hands on the latest sales figures for gaming consoles, and the numbers speak for themselves. The Wii, as usual, trumped its console competition with 432,000 units sold in February (the handheld DS moved an amazing 597,000 units), while the PlayStation 2—still quite a hit with gamers, apparently—came in at an impressive 351,800 units. No shockers there.

Here's the surprise, however: The PlayStation 3, which snared fourth place with 280,000 consoles sold. Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 brought up the rear with just 254,600 units in February—the second straight month that it's trailed the PS3.

For its part, Microsoft is blaming the Xbox 360's sagging sales figures on low supply due to stronger-than-expected holiday sales, and it points out that five of the 10 top-selling games are 360 titles (including the 360 version of Call of Duty 4, which again lead the video game pack).

But after many months of being everyone's favorite whipping boy, it seems the PS3 has caught a second wind.

Indeed, what was once perceived as the PlayStation 3's greatest weakness—its built-in Blu-ray drive, which jacked up the console's price and delayed the PS3's launch by a year—suddenly looks like a strength, now that Blu-ray has won the HD format war.

Also, the PS3 finally has a line-up of game worth talking about, including the Tomb Raider-esque Uncharted and its best-selling version of Devil May Cry 4. Ars Technica also points out some potential—and exclusive—blockbusters in the PS3 pipe, including Metal Gear Solid 4 and Gran Turismo 5: Prologue.

So, what do you think? Is the PS3 poised to grab the Xbox 360's lead? Or is the 360 bound to make a comeback?

Related:
Why Microsoft should be worried about new NPD sales figures [Ars Technica]