Xbox 360 Shipment Numbers Throughout the Years

In total, Microsoft has shipped 31.5 million Xbox 360 units since the system launched in late 2006. Each year saw a big improvement for the high-definition system which just had its most successful fiscal year to date. Here is a breakdown throughout the fiscal years on how Microsoft kept improving the hardware sales for the Xbox 360.

2006 (July 1^st, 2005 - June 30^th, 2006): 5 million units shipped
The Xbox 360 launched during the middle of the 2006 fiscal year on November 22, 2005. The first two SKU that was available are the Core and Pro (or Premium) at the price of $299.99 and $399.99. Overall, it was quite a rough start for Microsoft with their second video game system with numerous hardware problems, shortages and lack of killer app software to drive sales.

2007 (July 1^st, 2006 - June 30^th, 2007): 6.6 million units shipped
Microsoft got the killer app they needed with Gears of War. The incredible looking game came at the right time just before the launch of the Playstation 3. It managed to drive many consumers out of the much anticipated third console from Sony and to the Xbox 360. This is because, at that time, no Playstation 3 title could match Gears of War visually. Late in the 2007 fiscal year, Microsoft launched a third SKU, the Xbox 360 Elite for $479.99.

2008 (July 1^st, 2007 - June 30^th, 2008): 8.7 million units shipped
The 2008 fiscal year was a landmark one for Microsoft. After numerous complaints, they finally dropped the price of the Xbox 360 Core to $279.99, Premium to $349.99 and Elite to $449.99. The Xbox 360 Core ended up being discontinued in October and replaced by the Xbox 360 Arcade.

Moreover, the long-awaited Halo 3 finally launched in the middle of the 2008 fiscal period on September 25, 2007. The first two Halo games were system sellers for the original Xbox. Halo 3 had the same effect on the Xbox 360.

2009 (July 1^st, 2008 - June 30^th, 2009): 11.2 million units shipped
Many consumers felt that the modest price drop wasn't enough and, as a result, sales began to lag for the Xbox 360 early on in the 2009 fiscal year. Therefore, Microsoft had to drop the price once again on September 4, 2008. The Xbox 360 Arcade was discounted to $199.99, Pro to $299.99 and Elite to $399.99. This time, the price drop has more impact and a longer lasting lingering effect on hardware sales. With the release of Gears of War 2 to boot on November 7, 2008, the Xbox 360 enjoyed its best year ever.

Look for Microsoft to continue the momentum as they have two more Halo games in the pipeline in addition to the innovative new control called Project Natal. Not to mention that they still have plenty of price drops for the Xbox 360 to come as well.