Xbox 360 is only console to grow sales this year, Microsoft says

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Xbox 360 controller. Credit: Microsoft.

Microsoft said sales of its Xbox 360 game console grew 20% in the first half of 2009, citing figures from NPD Group. The Redmond, Wash., technology company crowed that the data show it was the only major console to increase hardware sales this year (implying that sales of Nintendo’s Wii and Sony’s PlayStation 3 were down from last year).

Microsoft credits its growth to the $199 price tag for the basic version of the Xbox 360. The Wii is $249 and the PS3 sells for $399.

Games for the Xbox 360 snagged four of the top 10 best-selling titles for June, according to Microsoft. Those include Prototype from Activision, Fight Night 4 from Electronic Arts, UFC 2009 Undisputed from THQ, and Red Faction Guerrilla, also from THQ.

In a release entitled ‘Xbox 360: The Industry’s Sole Bright Spot in 2009’ and e-mailed to journalists, Microsoft said 85% of its 20 million active Xbox Live users have downloaded digital content onto the console in the last 12 months.

How does that compare with its rivals? We’ll see when NPD releases its U.S. sales figures later this afternoon.

-- Alex Pham

Follow my random thoughts on games, gear and technology on Twitter @AlexPham.