Xbox 360 sales will shortly overtake Wii in the UK

Microsoft's Xbox 360 is poised to overtake Nintendo's Wii as the best-selling console of this generation in the UK, games industry number-cruncher GfK Chart-Track has told MCV.

The latest figures show that the Xbox 360, which launched in December 2005, has shifted over 8.4 million units.

Microsoft has closed the sales gap between Nintendo's Wii, which once dominated the hardware charts. The Xbox 360 will overtake the Wii's hardware sales in a matter of days, says Chart-Track.

1.5 million sales now separate the Xbox 360 from the PlayStation 2, the UK's best-selling console of all time. Sony's legendary machine, which launched in 2000, has shifted 10 million units.

Microsoft is still supporting the Xbox 360, and announced a redesigned version of the console at E3 2013. Many high-profile titles, including Grand Theft Auto V, will also grace the platform before Christmas.

"This is an historic milestone and our sincere thanks goes to each and every person that has bought and enjoyed Xbox 360 over the past eight years," said UK Xbox executive Harvey Eagle to MCV.

"As you saw at E3 earlier this month, we announced a new Xbox 360 form factor and we are committed to ensuring Xbox 360 remains the best place to play games, connect with friends and enjoy your entertainment."

"You'll see great exclusive content coming not only to Xbox 360, but also to Xbox One later this year."

The Xbox One will launch in November.