Xbox 360 Fastest Selling Console in Britain

Leaving us to wonder how well it would have done had Microsoft had enough stock to satisfy demand.

In the weeks leading up to the launch of the Xbox 360, Microsoft frustratingly refused to stand up and declare how many consoles we could expect in the UK on day one. Now we know.

On launch day, Friday, 2 December, Microsoft pushed 75,000 Xbox 360s into the hands of Britons, thereby kicking off the next generation. All stores we've surveyed said they were sold out of the console, but Microsoft has made repeated promises that it will be getting more Xbox 360s into stores on a weekly basis.

The company has been adamant that it won't forget about the thousands of people who have yet to get their pre-ordered machines, let alone walk-in customers hoping to pick one up before Christmas.

"We are working around the clock to manufacture as many Xbox 360s as we can and are replenishing retail stores in Europe in the weeks coming up to Christmas," Microsoft's Chris Lewis said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We remain committed to delivering up to 3 million consoles to consumers worldwide in our first 90 days alone. Consumers should check back with their retailers frequently."

The 75,000 sales figure makes the Xbox 360 the fastest selling home console ever in the UK, taking over from the GameCube, which launched in 2002 at around half the price.

Microsoft's new beast is still far from the fastest-selling video game system ever in the UK; that honour goes to the PSP, which shifted 175,000 units in its opening weekend in September. It's hard to tell how well the Xbox 360 would have sold had Microsoft been able to meet more of the demand.

The launch of the console also propelled its games into the UK charts with 10 of the 15 launch titles making their way into the Top 40. The best-selling Xbox 360-exclusive game was Microsoft's own shooter, Perfect Dark Zero, which was developed by UK game creator Rare.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games