Sony's PlayStation 2 outsold the PlayStation 3 by four million units for the 12 months ending 31 March.

The latest figures show sales of 9.24 million for Sony's next-generation PS3 system, compared to 13.73 million for its much older sibling.

Despite a 156 per cent increase in sales over the previous year, Sony is estimated to be losing $150 on each PS3.

Figures for the PlayStation Portable make much better reading. Sony racked up sales of 13.9 million units for the handheld console, making it the firm's best-selling machine.

Positive sales figures for the PSP have been widely attributed to its newly added Wi-Fi functionality and web browser, and well received games titles such as God of War: Chains of Olympus.

Sony announced a target sales figure of 15 million units for the PSP during the new financial year. The addition of GoTV capability and GPS functionality should boost the popularity of the PSP still further.