Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) has announced that its Xbox 360 beat out rival next-generation video game consoles from Sony (NYSE: SNE) and Nintendo to become the first to sell over 10 million units in the U.S.

"History has shown us that the first company to reach 10 million in console sales wins the generation battle," said Don Mattrick, SVP of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft.

"We are uniquely positioned to set a new benchmark for the industry."

Global Xbox 360 sales so far total 19 million.

As for its rivals, the Nintendo Wii had sold 8.8 million consoles as of March, while Sony PlayStation 3 sales totaled 4.1 million units, according to NPD Group data.

Microsoft also said that membership for its Xbox Live online game service has grown to over 12 million this month, fueled in part by the release of "Grand Theft Auto IV."

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