While the Xbox 360 has been out a year longer, has more titles and a gaming network the envy of other consoles, it must come as a shock to Microsoft to find that Sony's PS3 console is breathing down its neck in terms of console sales.

According to latest Chart-Track figures, Microsoft's Xbox 360 had a 78 per cent increase in sales while Sony's PS3 enjoyed a 73 per cent surge in box sales over the Easter period. In terms of week-on-week sales Sony has one over on Microsoft.

But Dorian Block at Chart-Track warned that Sony still had a long way to go before it caught up with overall console sales.

"We are very close to clocking through 2 million 360s in the UK. It should be next week," said Bloch. "The Xbox 360 is extremely well-liked in the UK and very strong. Sony has a long way to go to overtake it in the UK."

Sales of titles also had a massive boost as shops saw games fly off the shelves over the holiday.

Bloch said that the release of GT5 Prologue and its bundle would see a further rise on PS3 after its release. "PS3 has been outselling Xbox 360 for some time, but last week they were pretty close. In terms of sales so far this year, PS3 is ahead."

As reported by Absolute Gadget, The Xbox 360 recently had a price cut to boost sales and bring its price more in line with the Nintendo Wii.