The PlayStation 4 has been recorded as the second-fastest selling console in the UK since hardware sales records began.

　　According to trade publication MCV, the PS4 hit one million sales after 42 weeks of trading. The data is the latest sign for Sony that its new-gen machine could become one of the most popular consoles ever.

　　By comparison, the PS2 (the best-selling console of all time, at 150 million sales worldwide) reached its first UK million after 50 weeks. Microsoft's Xbox 360, which held a dominant position in Britain's games market for eight years, hit its first million after 60 weeks.

　　Only the Wii, a phenomenon at the time of its release, managed to hit a million faster in the UK, achieving the feat as quick as 38 weeks.

　　The positive news for Sony comes on the day of perhaps the biggest PS4 game of the year, Destiny (which is also available on Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PS3).

　　However, early console sales are not necessarily indicative of overall performance. The PS3, a problematic console that ultimately lost Sony market share, reached a million in 46 weeks - significantly faster than the Xbox 360. Supply constraints also tend to make all early console sales figures a somewhat less reliable indicator of popularity.

　　PlayStation's UK managing director, Fergal Gara, appeared delighted with the Sony's performance, and suggested that a key part of PS4's new audience were previously Xbox 360 owners.

　　"We have certainly seen PS3 consumers come across quite hard and fast," he said.

　　"But a very significant proportion are people we have never seen on our network before. And from their behavior and the types of games they are playing, it’s fairly clear that a big chunk of those have come across from Xbox, which is tremendous to see. And there’s a chunk that look like they’re brand new to gaming. And they’ve picked PS4 as their first serious gaming device."

　　He added: "I would really like to thank all of our retail partners who have backed us so far. The work they have put in and the execution through the launch was exceptional, and without which we would not have got off the ground. We continue to work very well together and our plans for this Christmas are coming together quite nicely."