PS3 and Xbox 360 neck and neck after successful Easter

London (England) - Sales of the Playstaion 3 were up 73% during Easter week and the Xbox 360 shot up 78%. It’s been a close race between the two contenders all year, and according to industry tracking ChartTrack they’re in a virtual deadlock for 2008.

During the same time, Wii sales went up 37%, the DS climbed 32% and Sony’s handheld PSP system saw a 10% boost.

In an interview with game publication MCV, industry follower ChartTrack said the surge in sales was due to the Easter holiday. With the PS3 edging out against the Xbox 360 up to this point, the higher sales increase for the 360 helped to bridge that gap.

The "PS3 and Xbox 360 are pretty much neck and neck at the moment, with PS3 slightly ahead," said ChartTrack director Dorian Bloch.

Although specific numbers were not released, the firm said it expects higher-than-normal console and software sales in the period following Easter week as well.