I don't see how 300-400K would be a blow to 360...  This is very consistent with the previous two years so it shows 360 isn't really losing momentum, Sony is just gaining more momentum.  Also, 360 is five years old, so it is at least mid-way through the cycle now. 

Even though this has been argueably the worst year so far this generation for 360 from a game lineup stand point, the sales have held very good overall, and the last update of YTD sales still showed 360 growing overall.  2010 looks much stronger and competitive from a games stand point...  GT5 and GoWIII are argueably Sony's last massive franchises to move to PS3 (I know their are many others, but these are the monsters along with MGS, GTA, RE, DMC, SF, which have already seen releases this generation).

As well, software sales are still very strong.  Call of Duty MW2 kicked Sony's butt, Left 4 Dead 2 is showing strength, I was surprised to see Assassin's Creed II stronger on 360 given that the advertising and promotion has been much more PS3 oriented, Forza 3 is tracking better then Forza 2, and Borderlands sales on 360 are way higher.  It shows that the fanbase on 360 is still strong and there are more hard core gamers. 

In the end, AAA hard core games are way more profitable and keep the platform going more then the appeal for casual gamers...  With that, I see no reason why 360 will not continue to equal or better PS3...  There is too much focus on the number of consoles sold.  It is only one measure of success.  Now, you have to include software sales, tie ratios, DLC sales, active network subscribers, activity on online networks, etc.  In these categories 360 is ahead or highly competitive in all.

The 360 keeps selling fine as well , and the gap this week isn't high enough to call the 360 'DOOMED!' already.

It's not fair to bring the $200 Arcade into this. The Arcade is extremely bare bones. Without the hard drive, it's not suited for online at all. Without online, the Xbox 360 Arcade is basically an HD PS2/Xbox (assuming you buy the HDMI cable or HD AV cable seperately since those aren't included in the sku) with a beefier memory card (256-512 MB internal memory in the recent units). This gen is characterized by online functionality. Online play, DLC, XBLA games, etc. You are missing out on a ton without a hard drive. And quite frankly, I wouldn't recommend running games off the disc (running off hard drive will likely extend your console's lifespan), which is what you have to do with the Arcade. And what if your memory unit runs out of space for game saves? I have game saves for about 13 games on my memory unit (which I use as a backup in case my HDD craps out) and those game saves alone take up almost half the 256 MB. Now if you are an Arcade user, imagine that you add in the NXE update (which is like 120 MB). If you play a lot of games (more than a dozen), chances are you're gonna have to go out and either buy a memory unit (expensive rip-off) or go out and buy a hard drive (better bang for your buck). You are better off coughing up the extra $100 for the Elite or PS3 slim. That's why most 360 buyers get Pro/Elite. The week with that Wal-Mart promotion was the exception to the rule because the Arcade was basically $100, which makes the Arcade actually worth it for a change.

PS3 users who keep talking about the $200 Arcade don't understand just how little you can do with an Arcade and how much of a rip-off it is in the long run.

I could see the appeal of the Arcade to those who don't want to buy many games and don't care for online features much (ie. I know there are a number of people who bought an Arcade just to play the exclusive jrpgs on the Xbox 360 (well 'then' exclusive in SO4's case).) But unless you want a repeat of the PS1 and PS2 days (lasers getting weak or crapping out altogether), your best bet is to take advantage of the full HDD install feature that you get with the Xbox 360 NXE update.

Apparently the 440,000 also includes Canada;

http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2009/12/microsoft_sony_playing_games_with_holiday_console_numbers.html

The blogger seems quite outraged, but seeing as Black Friday is mainly a US affair with token Canadian participation I think US only sales should be easily over 400,000.

As the blogger says;

"Sony representative said the company doesn't plan to issue a clarification. Instead, it plans to clarify the issue for reporters who ask about it."

maybe someone from this site should ask SCEA for a clarification, and maybe ask for US only numbers too?

I'm glad they cleared that up. Still could be closer to 500k depending how much more over 440k it was + Mexico. We at least know those arent included now. But if Sony is reporting Canada and Americas you can count on the other 2 doing the same.

"Over 440,000" in PR speak means less than 450,000.  I don't think Mexico can make up over 50,000, so 500,000 in North America doesn't seem reasonable, 440,000 plus is still a decent figure though.

YAY!. =D.

at a 299$ price point!. value and quality do sell hardware!

beast.

there is a latin america, hello >_>.

but our sales are import from USA. in the end they count.

It's indeed happening..now understand that being cheaper alone can't boost sales..PS3 deserved every sales and this trend shall continue.