The US video game market returned to growth last month with a 6% increase on-year, according to NPD. The research house says combined hardware, software, and accessory retail sales in March totaled $1.52 billion, up from $1.44 billion in the year-ago period – though year-to-date figures are still down 7%.

The firm has Nintendo's consoles pegged as the best sellers, with 557,500 Wii systems and 700,800 DS handhelds shipped during the month. Microsoft trailed with 338,400 Xbox 360s moved, and Sony ranked third with 313,900 PlayStation 3s sold. Sony also shifted some 119,900 PSPs and 118,300 PlayStation 2s.

While the company may have lagged in console sales, Sony's name is plastered all over the list of top-selling titles. God of War III was the most purchased at 1.1 million copies, followed by Pokemon SoulSilver Version at 1.02 million units, and the PS3 copy of Final Fantasy XIII was number three.

It's said that cheaper systems helped boost unit volume, with console prices falling by around 16% last month. Software prices were unchanged.