If you look at the hardware and software numbers for December and 2008 in general, it didn't look like Sony had the best year. Of course, every set of numbers can be spun, so let's take a look at how Sony sees the 2008 NPD sales information.

“The PlayStation brand has had a solid calendar year with total PS3 hardware sales up 40 percent and total PS3 software sales up 115 percent," wrote Peter Dille, Senior Vice President of Marketing and PlayStation Network. "We remain confident in our momentum into 2009 as we continue to deliver to our consumers the best entertainment content and technology out there. And we delivered on that promise this past year with one of the best software line-ups in the industry, a dramatically expanded PlayStation Network with the launch of the video delivery service and the beta of PlayStation Home, as well as extended hardware offerings with the PSP 3000 and Uncharted 160GB PS3 bundle."

He also brings up the amazing 50 million PS2 units sold in North America. Don't you feel better already?

The software sales information given by Sony is a little limp this month. Sony points out that software unit sales hit 6 million units sold in total in December. Software sales for the year increased 116 percent, with Sony particularly proud of the success of Resistance 2 and LittleBigPlanet. This reads good in print, but the fact remains that huge gains for the PS3 business still don't put it in line with the performance of 360 software.

The graphs, along with the the performance of the Wii and the 360, make spin particularly hard this month. Sony is floundering with the PS3, even as the PSP and PS2 continue to do respectable numbers. It's hard to know how long Sony can keep that fake smile on its lips.