Report: UK Console Installed Base Nearly Doubles In Twelve Months

European market research group GfK Chart Track's current hardware figures for the UK reveal that the current-gen console installed base in the region nearly doubled, going from 8.8 million to 17.3 million in the last twelve months. Nintendo's Wii hardware led that growth, more than tripling its installed base from 1.1 million units in September 2007 to 3.6 million units now, according to figures cited by UK industry site GamesIndustry.biz. The Xbox 360 also saw considerable gains, jumping to 2.3 million units from 1.3 million units in the previous year. Sony's PlayStation 3 received a similar boost, reaching 1.4 million units compared to its installed base of 0.4 million units in September 2007. In the handheld space, the Nintendo DS expanded its base from 3.8 million units to 7.1 million units in twelve months. PSP growth over the past year was smaller in comparison, however, rising from 2.2 million units to 2.9 million units. UK retailer The Game Group, which today reported £36.4 million ($65.7m) in record profits for the first half of the year, expects the Wii's installed base to grow to 4.9 million, the Xbox 360 to 2.8 million, the PlayStation 3 to 1.9 million, the Nintendo DS to 8.3 million, and the PSP to 3.1 million by Christmas.