April’s NPD numbers are in and as usual it did not take long for the big guns to spin the numbers there way.

Microsoft reiterated that the Xbox 360 was the first current generation gaming console to cross the 10 million sales mark in the US. It has sold 10.1 million units in the US to be exact and 19 million units globally.

Microsoft describes the Xbox 360 as the “most significant contributor to industry spending and growth” with NPD figures showing that 188 000 units were sold in April. In addition the Xbox 360 has the “highest attach rate in history for a console at this point in its lifestyle” recording an attach rate of 7.6 games per console.

The NPD data shows that consumers have spent over $9.7 billion on the “Xbox 360 experience” with Xbox 360 titles accounting for $186 million or 53% of third party games sales this generation. It was also quick to point out that three Xbox 360 titles made an appearance in the top ten software for April, with Grand Theft Auto IV taking first place with 1.8 million units (outselling the PS3 version by almost 2:1) and doubling Xbox Live memberships to over 12 million.

According to Microsoft sales data GTA IV lifted the Xbox 360 by 54% week-over-week which could be attributed to internal data showing that roughly four out of 10 gamers would bought an Xbox 360 also bought a copy of GTA IV. Microsoft also pointed out that GTA IV episodes will be available exclusively to Xbox Live this fall.

Microsoft’s latest additions to the Xbox 360 controller family have hit North American shelves. Although it may be somewhat hard to follow in the footsteps of their predecessor, the Halo 3 controller, the blue and pink wireless 360 controllers can now be purchased for $49.99.

If pink or blue simply does not appeal to you, you can still get the basic white, Elite Black and previously mentioned limited edition Halo 3 artwork controllers.