The latest sales figures for the U.S. console gaming market released by NPD Group this week revealed a downward trend for all major hardware producers, although the hierarchy remained unchained compared to last month.

If we look at the current generation of consoles available on the market, we see the Xbox 360 struggling behind Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, as it dropped from 219,000 units sold in June to 205,000 in July. However, the Xbox 360 did show an improvement in weekly sales in the last period of July, following price cuts to its 20GB Pro SKU.

Overall, the U.S. gaming industry brought $1.19 billion in total sales. Hardware sales contributed to the total with $446.9 million, software sales with $519.1 million, while accessory sales added an estimated $152 million.

If we look at hardware sales, we see no major changes, except for the number of units sold, which dropped for all consoles compared to the month of June. Nintendo DS continued to stay ahead, with 608,000 units sold, down more than 22 percent since June, followed by Nintendo Wii, with 555,000 units sold, down 16 percent compared to the previous month.

Last month, Nintendo Wii reached over 11 million sold units, keeping a significant plus ahead of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 of approximately 800,000 units.

Right behind Nintendo in hardware sales was Sony PlayStation 3, with 225,000 units sold in July, down 44 percent from June, followed by Sony PlayStation Portable with 222,000 units sold, down 34 percent compared to the previous month.

Caught between Sony PlayStation Portable and Sony PlayStation 2, the Xbox 360 reached 205,000 units in July, down just 6 percent compared from the month before. Sony PlayStation 2 sold 155,000 units, down 33,000 units from June.

Despite announcing a price cut last month before E3 2008, Xbox 360 is still struggling to match the sales of its rivals.

Microsoft also introduced a 60 GB hard drive Xbox 360 which sells for $349, but it remains if it will boost its August sales. The new Xbox 360 will compete against the new $399 80GB version of PS3.

Meanwhile, PC World reported that according to Media Create, a company that tracks gaming sales, Xbox 360 had a good week in Japan. Microsoft sold 24,962 units in the week of Aug. 4 to 10, the sales being boosted by the release of “Tales Of Vesperia”. However, Nintendo sold 38,506 Wiis during the same period.  Since its launch, Microsoft had hard times selling its console in Japan.

This month, Sony PlayStation 3 passed the 5 million mark for total units sold, while the PlayStation portable passed the 12 million mark. Nintendo DS continued to add up to over 21 million units sold.

In June Sony sold 405,000 PS3s. Last month, the sales of PS3 in the Unites States were boosted by the release of Metal Gear Solid 4, which sold 774.600 units. However, this month the game failed to gain a spot in Top 10 Software Sales.

In terms of software, Xbox 360 is better positioned, taking the number one spot with NCAA Football 09, published by Electronic Arts, which totaled 397,600 units sold. Wii Fit grabbed the second spot in July, with 369,600 units sold, going up from being fourth in June.

Activision’s Guitar Hero: On Tour sold 309,700 units, taking the third place, followed by Wii Play, with 284,000 units sold, NCAA Football 09 for PS3 with 242,000 units sold, Soul Calibur IV by Namco Bandai Games for Xbox 360 with 218,000 units sold, Mario Kart Wii with 174,000 units sold, Rock Band, with 165,800 units sold, Soul Calibur IV for PS3 with 155,800 and Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution, with 147,600 units sold.

As we can see, Nintendo continues to keep strong positions in terms of software as well, with Wii Fit, Wii Play and Mario Kart grabbing strong positions among other top 10 finalists.

“Great hardware goes hand–in-hand with great software,” said Nintendo’s Cammie Dunaway after the NPD figures were released. “Various types of games for the Nintendo systems are represented in the top 10, demonstrating how we continue to break down the barriers between veteran and new player.”

In other news, shortly after the NPD’s figure were released, Sony denied it plans to announce a price cut to its PlayStation 3 during the Games Convention, the European’s biggest gaming fair. The even takes place in Leipzig, Germany, from August 20 to August 22.

"It's not going to happen. If you're coming for that you'll be disappointed," Sony Computer Entertainment spokesman Nick Caplin said, quoted by Reuters.

At last year’s Games Convention Sony announced LiveTV, which consists of a TV tuner and personal video recorder (PVR) for the PS3. This add-on allows console owners to watch, pause and record live TV.

However, at this year’s Game Convention Sony will probably focus on announcing and presenting new game titles for its console.

GAMES INDUSTRY Sales: $1.19 billion

Hardware sales -- $446.9 million
Software sales -- $591.1 million
Accessory sales -- $152 million

Top-selling HARDWARE:

Nintendo DS--608,400
Nintendo Wii--555,000
PlayStation 3--225,000
PlayStation Portable--222,000
Xbox 360--205,000
PlayStation 2--155,500

Top-selling SOFTWARE:

1.[ 360] NCAA Football 09 (Electronic Arts)—397,600
2. [Wii] Fit with Balance Board (Nintendo) — 369,600
3. [NDS] Guitar Hero On Tour (Activision)—309,700
4. [Wii] Play with Remote (Nintendo)—284,000
5. [PS3] NCAA Football 09 (Electronic Arts)—242,000
6. [360] Soul Calibur IV (Namco Bandai Games)—218,000
7. [Wii] Mario Kart with Wheel (Nintendo)—174,500
8. [Wii] Rock Band Bundle (MTV/Electronic Arts)—165,800
9. [PS3] Soul Calibur IV (Namco Bandai Games)—155,800
10.[360] Sid Meier’s Civilization: Revolution (Take Two)—147,600