Console Makers Respond to April Sales Data

Following NPD's unveiling of April's U.S. console game and hardware sales, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony have all checked in with their take on the data that saw Nintendo's Wii and DS top the hardware charts and the Xbox 360 outsell the PlayStation 3 by a mere 900 units.

With a whopping 1.85 million copies sold, the Xbox 360 edition of Grand Theft Auto IV was the month's top-selling console title, followed by 1.12 million units of Mario Kart Wii and 1 million copies of Grand Theft Auto IV for PlayStation 3.

Sony Computer Entertainment America president and CEO Jack Tretton claimed that "PS3 momentum is fueled by enthusiasm for Blu-ray" and "PS3 remains on pace for a breakthrough year."

"The tremendous legacy of Grand Theft Auto on PlayStation, combined with the blockbuster launch of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue packed a one-two punch with consumers at retail this month," Tretton added.

Nintendo marketing VP Cammie Dunaway remarked: "Our belief in appealing to a broad, diverse audience of players continues to resonate with consumers, and we look forward to continuing our outreach to an expanded audience with the launch of Wii Fit next week."

In a statement yesterday, Microsoft senior VP Don Mattrick boasted: "This year will be the largest in the history of the video game industry, with Xbox 360 leading the charge in the U.S."