PlayStation 3 leads console sales in Europe for 2011

The PlayStation 3 has remained the best-selling console in Europe throughout the year.

Sony's home console sold almost three million units by week 40 of 2011, while Wii and Xbox 360 sales neared the two million mark, according to a fiscal report from Nintendo.

Nintendo compiled the data through independent research firms. The stats revealed a "sizeable" year-on-year decrease in Wii sales at the start of the year, ending when the console's price was dropped in May. It has since fallen behind its competitors once again.

The Xbox 360 is the best-selling system in the US, according to NPD stats. Overall Wii sales in the territory showed a decline compared to 2010, but sales figures for September were almost identical to the previous year.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata remained upbeat that the studio could replicate sales from previous holiday seasons, and turn around its fortunes in the run-up to Christmas.

"The sales of Wii grew especially in November and December last year," he explained. "We assume that our dependence on the year-end sales will be heavier this year than the previous years, so we are currently preparing well so that we can increase our sales in that season."

Earlier this week, Nintendo reported huge losses during its last fiscal quarter due to the commercial performance of the 3DS. The firm claims to have "learned a bitter lesson" from the handheld's launch ahead of the debut of the Wii U.