The PlayStation 3's Catching Up To The XBOX 360's Worldwide Sales Total.

New worldwide hardware figures shared by both platform holders detail the PlayStation 3 as having shifted 41.6 million units worldwide. The XBOX 360 (which launched with a considerable head-start) has managed 44.6 million units worldwide since launch. It doesn't take a genius to note that the difference is just 3 million units, essentially putting the systems at parity.

With the PlayStation 3 closing the gap so furiously, many analysts are beginning to discuss the point at which they believe Sony's system will topple the XBOX 360. EEDAR analyst Jesse Divinch believes this will take place in 2012, though he notes that the XBOX 360's domination in America will make it a challenge.

“I don’t know if the PlayStation 3 will ever overtake the Xbox 360 in North America,” Divnich told IndustryGamers. “Maybe 2014? 2016? We do know the PlayStation 3 has incredible long-term value as a Blu-ray player, much like the PlayStation 2 did as a DVD player, but with strong competition coming from the digital front, one has to wonder if the PlayStation 3 will receive long retail legs like its predecessor did.

“Unlike previous generations, I don’t foresee third place being a “doom and gloom” scenario. Even with it being in third place now the PlayStation 3 is an incredibly healthy platform. It all comes down to the active installed base; a company can sell as many consoles as it wishes, but if consumers are not actively buying games, they are not part of the installed base’s economic ecosystem. The PlayStation 3 doesn’t have the same problem the GameCube had with its third place finish last generation.”

PlayStation Move and Microsoft's Kinect device do appear to be the wild-cards, but Sony's core game line-up also looks outstanding over the next 12 months. Starting with Gran Turismo 5 there are no fewer than eleven exclusive titles due for the PS3 within the year. Providing Sony can keep on top of all the releases and continue to find marketing success, next year is going to be difficult for both Microsoft and Nintendo.