Xbox 360 Hits 55 Million Consoles Sold

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console has reportedly surpassed 55 million units sold since its release, according to numbers from research firm NPD Group. The device has also maintained its sales lead in the US market for nearly a year, running through to 2011, as it approaches the sales record held by Nintendo’s Wii console.

The Xbox 360 has bucked the trend for long-term sales, as competing devices do not show the sales spike that Microsoft has achieved for its console’s fifth year. The Kinect controller and Xbox Live services, which now includes 35 million active members, have been credited with providing a late boost to the entire platform.

Microsoft’s console has achieved 29 percent year-over-year sales growth in the first four months of 2011, outpacing the competition and tripling the PS3’s growth. In contrast to the Xbox’s slow start and late surge, the Wii has seen a dramatic slide in sales since its stellar performance out of the gate.