Microsoft's take on August NPD: "Only console to show overall growth this year"

Microsoft has responded to last night’s NPD figures by stating that Xbox 360 was the only console showing growth in the US this year, with sales increasing 17 percent year-over-year within the first eight months of 2009.

Sales for Xbox 360 reached 215,000 units for August and the company attributes this to the console’s starting price of $199, along with Netflix, and new stuff coming down the pipe (Last.fm, Facebook).

Additionally, the recent price reduction of the Xbox 360 Elite model to $299 has "set the stage for continued growth this year", according to Microsoft, with the first week of sales "surpassing expectations".

"Third-party sales on Xbox 360 totaled $130.4 million in August, more than any other system, and Xbox 360 has maintained the streak of leading third-party sales for every month of 2009," said Microsoft. "Xbox 360 is also home to some of the season’s most-anticipated blockbuster titles with a line-up of exclusives that include Halo 3: ODST in September, Forza Motorsport 3 in October, and Left 4 Dead 2 this November.

"Fans across the country continued to make Xbox 360 the most popular way to play Madden NFL 10, and two other Xbox 360 titles, Batman: Arkham Asylum and NCAA Football 10 also made the top 10 console games list, showing that third-party titles continue to find success on Xbox 360."

In the 12 months through August, Live has garnered over 20 million active members worldwide, with sales of this year's Summer of Arcade more than doubling that of last year.

Next month, we will see just how high of a sales jump 360 attained with the recent price cut. It should prove to be very interesting.