With X1's surprise, albeit slender, victory in April's NPD, and another PS4 exclusive slipping into next year, it is looking more possible than ever that Xbox could be the 8th gen home console leader by the end of 2015 in the US.

Right now, the gap stands at 700k. In November and December last year, X1 cut the gap by 625k. This year, as well as no doubt having some very appealing bundles in November and December, MS have Halo 5 in October as well. So it seems to me that X1 is a clear favourite to win the last three months of the year as things stand.

In the meantime, PS4 has a Batman bundle, which should lead to a win in June NPD. They also have marketing deals for big titles coming later in the year, such as MGSV, Battlefront and possibly Black Ops III. And maybe they will announce a AAA game at E3 that is scheduled for later this year, although if this is the case it will most likely be a new IP, which is always tricky to launch in the holiday window. PS4 will almost certainly have a price drop as well, and given that it will be the consoles' first, will lead to a big boost in sales, even if it is only $50.

Right now, I still think PS4 will lead US by the end of the year. But I think X1 will win big in the last three months of the year, even against a PS4 price cut, and the gap will be small by the end of the year, around 200-300k.

What do you think?

No, just because it won one NPD doesn't mean that it will beat PS4...

That isn't the main reason. That just shows that the consoles are closer together than last year when no major software is releasing, and there are no new price cuts. The main reason is the exclusive linups of both consoles this holiday and Microsoft's strategy of aggressive bundling, which gave them a 625k victory in the last two months of 2014.

No. Green team has put in far more effort to win back one territory and it's recent gains are minimal at best. Blue team has most of its hand hidden still and I think there's a reason for that;

Point is, Sony will not give the states back.

One month ... just one month ... and here we are again. The answer is 'no'.

Did you read the OP? That was by far the least important reason given.

It may be the 'least important' reason for this thread (not knocking you) but would this thread exist if it wasn't for Aprils results? Be honest :)

I doubt that you would make this thread if Sony won April NPD...

You also have to think about the imminent price cut Sony will have this year. They just might do it in September to take away sales from Halo 5. If they are aggressive with it and bundle another game, that can spell trouble and may also grant them September's NPD. Of course I still believe that September is Xbox's though.

I know you've mentioned the price cut already, but I think you're underestimating it. You see PS4 is already winning without one. Imagine a bundled game with a price cut. That's going to raise revenue big time.

I can't make that prediction yet, but it'd be nice for xbo to actually win in it's strongest territory.