2009 has been an exciting year here on VGChartz especially due to interesting sales numbers of the two HD consoles. While the 360 topped the PS3 easily in the first half of the year the situation reversed after the PS3 Slim release in September.

Now I'd like to share with you this chart that I made myself using VGC's data. It shows us how the gap between the HD twins has emerged during this generation. We see that the difference in total sales would be considerably smaller if the 360 had not had its head start of more than one year (not even looking at the PS3's European release).

Will the PS3 be able to continue to minimise the gap? Is 2009 the beginning of such a new trend? I say yes. But what do you think?

I think next year depends heavily on how successful Natal is and if MS can drop the price of the Arcade next year.

If Natal comes out for a good price, is marketed well and the 360 (alone, although I expect bundles as well) gets a price cut we may see the 360 increase the gap on PS3. However, if it doesn't work out as successful, then PS3 will surely close down the gap worldwide.

Cool chart.

Its scary that Xbox 360 has seen 5 christmas seasons already...

X360 nearly 5 years old ... wow makes ME feel old!

Like others have said, depends on Natal and what else is up Sony/Microsofts sleeves

Really nice chartz... thanks @pearLy for sharing it.

The PS3 should reduce the gap to around 2.0-3.0M in 2010.

Is Natal 2010 or 2011???

I say it will continue to outsell 360 for a couple of months or so until the fall which I think together with Halo and a possible price cut will go to the favour of Microsoft.

Nice charts. Next year should be interesting.

I am fairly new to this whole console wars but i am really surprised at how well the PS3 actually sold in 2007-2009 pre slim. From my first hand accounts, everyone i knew had 360's and was always under the impression that PS3s were not selling at all. To only be outsold by ~ 1 million while being $100s more expensive is somewhat amazing to me.

rumored to be holiday 2010 but i don't think MS has made any solid committments on that.  i'm sure MS will do everything they can to make it happend for the upcomming holiday though.