Nintendo Wii edges Xbox 360 in total console sales

The Wii finally takes the lead in overall next-generation console sales, while the Xbox 360 sags and the PS3 surges.

According to monthly sales figures from the NPD Group (via TG Daily), the Wii has sold a total of 11,008,200 consoles since its late 2006 launch, compared to 10,465,900 total units for the Xbox 360—and remember, the 360 had a 12-month head start on the Wii. And while the PlayStation 3 is still lagging with nearly 4.9 million total units, the once-troubled console is on a hot streak.

For the month of June, the Nintendo DS (again) lead the gaming pack with about 783,000 units sold, followed closely by Wii with 666,700 units. Coming in third: the surging PlayStation 3, ringing up more than 405,000 consoles, up sharply from last month's sub-250,000 figure.

Up next, the Xbox ... er, make that the PSP, which worked its way into 337,400 palms last month.

Finally, we get to the Xbox 360, limping into fifth place with 219,800 boxes sold, barely ahead of the still-chugging PS2, which moved 188,800 consoles in June.

The monthly software chart shows more bad news for the 360, which only got two titles in the top ten (the third-place Ninja Garden II and Battlefield: Bad Company at No. 6). Leading the way: Metal Gear Solid 4 for the PS3 (shocker!) with 774,600 discs sold, nearly double the sales of the runner-up, Guitar Hero On Tour for the DS (422,300 units)

Now, before you PlayStation 3 fanboys get too cocky, bear in mind that MGS4 was the only PS3 title in the top 10; the Wii, on the other had, owned four slots, including Wii Fit (No. 3 with 372,700 balance boards sold), the resilient Wii Sports at No. 4, Mario Kart in seventh place, and LEGO Indiana Jones at No. 8.

Overall, looks like it's getting harder and harder to dismiss the Wii as a fad; meanwhile, those PS3 price cuts seem to be working (and a killer exclusive like MGS4 never hurt).

And while the Xbox 360 is finally showing signs of weakness, that's actually good news for 360 gamers. Why? Because it means Microsoft will continue to cut prices, ramp up features (like the soon-to-be-revamped Dashboard), and cultivate new exclusives to fuel sales. I can live with that.

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Wii shines, Xbox 360 tanks [TG Daily]