According to the latest figures from Group, the outsold the in the last month.

Despite analyst predicting otherwise, the PS3 took May with of 208,700 consoles. The 360 managed 186,000 over the same period.

The was far and away the real winner, however, with sales totaling 675,000. The was second with 452,600. The came in just after the 360 with 182,300 sales.

"The media have hailed 2008 as the year of the PS3, and with solid sales and growth opportunities ahead, we feel consumers are saying the same," enthused exec Jack Tretton.

Nintendo were deservedly even more pleased: "The Wii Wheel and Wii Balance Board accessories make game play fun for new gamers while presenting new challenges for those who have been playing a long time," beamed Cammie Dunaway.

More bean-counting soon.

By Luke Guttridge