That’s according to a 67-page research report published by International Data Corporation (IDC) which is currently being sold for $4,500.

According to the study, which has been summarised by GamesIndustry International, in December 2012 PS3 lifetime shipments reached about 77 million units compared to Xbox 360’s 76 million.

It should be noted that these figures are shipped to retail and not sold through to consumers, although shipment levels will likely be relative to the demand for each console. It’s also unclear exactly where the data cited in the report is taken from.

While shipments of both consoles are essentially neck and neck ahead of the expected release of successors in the next year or so, the numbers indicate something of a win for Sony given the PS3’s shorter lifecycle.

The wider IDC report features console and packaged software sales forecasts for 2012-2016, and the research firm expects global bundle Wii U shipments to reach 50 million by the end of the four year period.