NPD December '09 - Microsoft: 2009 was a "breakthrough year" for 360

Microsoft has responded to tonight's NPD figures, saying it was a "breakthrough year" for Xbox 360.

The NPD for the month of December 2009 showed the console sold 1.3 million units in around the Holiday season, with the company confirming the console has sold over 10 million units throughout the year in the US.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer confirmed at CES last week 360 had sold over 39 million units since its launch back in 2005.

$4.8 billion was spent in 2009 on 360 hardware, software or accesories, with $1.1 billion in sales spent during December itself.

More then $2.7 billion was spent on 360 software during 2009. No doubt MW2 was half of that.

The company also reiterated its Q1 line-up, saying 360 has "blockbuster-exclusives launching nearly every month in the first half of 2010", kicking off with Mass Effect 2 in two weeks.

Fable III was also re-confirmed for a release later this year. The game was confirmed to be released for Holiday 2010 during the reveal of the game by Peter Molyneux at GamesCom last August.

Last week, Microsoft confirmed - and re-confirmed tonight in their response - that Project Natal will release this holiday season.