If you're interested, here is Mat P's (NPD) follow-up comments on his earlier statement about Xbox being #1 if you look at sales and growth together, for the first part of this year.
"Sales. I've mentioned it in both the media releases and here... this year sales between the consoles has been very, very close. Yes, PS4 has come out on top both months, but, as I've said in every month, all 3 platforms this year are doing very well so far. If I had to give grades to the 3 platforms so far this year I would grade both PS4 and Xbox One as A-, Switch a B+, just because it's in its first Jan-Feb period and I expected a bit more than we got. Still great, still on a record setting pace. My own grades. You don't have to agree.
"Growth. I've also mentioned in the media releases that Xbox One and Switch have been the catalysts for year on year growth. Now, Switch is easy, it wasn't around last Jan-Feb. Xone has had fantastic growth, possibly driven by some of the reasons I've listed above*, among maybe some others I'm not thinking of. PS4 continues to do VERY well, but it's not a leading contributor to growth. It doesn't need to be, it's selling at amazing levels. Growth would be a very big ask for something doing so well. So, to grade growth, I'd give Xone an A, PS4 and Switch Bs.
"So, taking into account BOTH sales AND growth, I see Xbox One as being the best performing console on a YTD basis."
https://www.resetera.com/posts/6548389/
* Here are the reasons he listed as possibly contributing to Xbox growth:
- Favorable comp period.
- PS4s big Nov/Dec promotions may have pulled some demand forward.
- PUBG/GamePass announcements.
- High cross ownership, PS4 folks buying an Xone as a second or third console.
- One X is still relatively new to market