Xbox One was the best-selling console of its generation in the US in December 2013, but the 3DS won the year overall.
The Xbox One sold around 908,000 units in December, with Xbox 360 coming in third with roughly 643,000 units sold.
"We're grateful for the excitement and support of our fans - many purchasing their next Xbox console and many joining the Xbox family for the first time," commented corporate vice president of marketing, strategy and business for Xbox Yusuf Mehdi.
Meanwhile, in a statement responding to NPD's December figures Sony focused on its 'cumulative lead' in the new console sales race, blaming a stock shortfall for hindering sales in the month.
"PlayStation 4 remains the cumulative leader for next gen console sales in the US since the launch on November 15," said Sony's senior director of corporate communications, Dan Race, pointing instead to Sony's lead in global sales of PS4 which ended 2013 with 4.2 million units sold worldwide, compared with 3 million sales of Xbox One.
"We sold every PS4 available at retail in the US and were out of stock in December due to overwhelming consumer demand. With more than 4.2 million PS4 systems sold worldwide, it's clear that the PS4's gaming and entertainment features are resonating with large audiences and we're doing our best to provide additional inventory in all of the 53 countries where it's available," added Race.
NPD's Liam Callaghan also noted, "Xbox One led consoles sales in December, while PS4's two-month total makes it the best selling console during the two-month launch window."
"Hardware sales of the Wii U were also positive with December 2013 marking its highest month for unit sales month so far," added Callaghan.
Full charts for both the month of December and 2013 in total are below.
Top ten games – December 2013
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- Battlefield 4 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- Just Dance 2014 (PS3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox One)
- Madden NFL 25 (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- NBA 2K14 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag (PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- Grand Theft Auto 5 (PS3, Xbox 360)
- Lego Marvel Super Heroes (3DS, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- FIFA 14 (PS3, PS4, Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- Skylanders Swap Force (PS3, PS4, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- Grand Theft Auto 5 (PS3, Xbox 360)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- Madden NFL 25 (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- Battlefield 4 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag (PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- NBA 2K14 (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (PC, PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360)
- Just Dance 2014 (PS3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox One)
- Minecraft (Xbox 360)
- Disney Infinity (3DS, PS3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360)