Microsoft sold about 2.4 million Xbox systems, both last gen and new, to retailers between July and September.

The software giant revealed the details to investors during its quarterly earnings report on Thursday, but did not specify further on how many of those shipped consoles had sold through to customers. Nor did it specify what proportion of consoles were Xbox One as opposed to Xbox 360.

Nevertheless the additional console on the market had helped drive combined Xbox sales up by 102 percent.

Microsoft launched the Xbox One on November 22 in 2013, and by December had sold about three million units to customers. Since then the corporation has not provided detailed sales figures.

Revenue for the Xbox platform climbed by 58 percent during the quarter, Microsoft said. Surface tablet sales were strong too, driving revenue to $908 million.

Overall sales for the corporation were mixed, with revenue at $23 billion (up 25 percent) while profits fell 8 percent to $5.8 billion.

“We are innovating faster, engaging more deeply across the industry, and putting our customers at the centre of everything we do, all of which positions Microsoft for future growth,” said Satya Nadella, Microsoft's chief executive.

“Our teams are delivering on our core focus of reinventing productivity and creating platforms that empower every individual and organisation.”