The PS3 (PlayStation 3), despite launching a year after the Xbox 360, has seemingly surpassed the Microsoft console in total hardware shipped to retailers according to the IDC. Shipment does not account for overall sales; however, if Sony is shipping more consoles than Microsoft, then it suggests that there is a higher demand for the PS3 vis-a-vis Xbox 360.

A reported 77 million PS3 consoles were shipped to retailers, which is one million more than what the Xbox 360 has managed to muster. This shipment figure proves that the PlayStation brand, while weakened, is still a force to be reckoned with. But one can't help but think that the PS3 surpassing the Xbox 360 is just little too late.

The next-gen Xbox 720 and PS4 are expected to make their debut in 2013. When these consoles hit the store shelves, it is a given that the current generation will see a massive drop in sales, because all the attention would be focused on new hardware and trying to get those devices into the hands of consumers.

Per the IDC report, one can attribute the low Xbox 360 sales on rumors of the upcoming Xbox 720. Many gamers may want to wait for the nex-gen version rather than spend on a older-gen console that could become obsolete by the end of 2013. Another reason for low Xbox 360 sales can be attributed to the new PS3 Super Slim hardware model, which was released in 2012, as newer models always tend to boost the sale of consoles substantially for a given period.

Additionally, the IDC report claims that the Nintendo Wii U would top 50 million units by the end of 2016. However, we think that a price drop this year, after the Xbox 720 and PS4 hit shelves, would propel the Wii U to quite a lot more than 50 million units by the end of 2016.