Mat Piscatella
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As GTA 6 abandons discs, analyst reveals physical games sales in the US actually grew for the first time in 17 years
Despite Grand Theft Auto 6's digital-only launch plan, US physical game sales saw a 3% year-on-year increase for the 12 months ending May 2026, marking the first growth since 2009. Analyst Mat Piscatella notes this uptick is likely temporary, with digital sales dominating and consoles increasingly lacking physical drives, suggesting a limited future for physical media.
Both PS5 and Xbox Series X sales were down in May
Sales for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X experienced significant drops in May, with Sony seeing a 58 percent decrease in units sold and Xbox Series X units falling 12 percent. Despite overall hardware spending growing seven percent year-over-year due to price increases, the Nintendo Switch continued to perform well, offsetting the declines of the other consoles.
PlayStation and Xbox console sales hit record lows in US amid price hikes
US console sales for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S have reached record lows in May, attributed to significant price increases. While overall hardware spending grew due to the Nintendo Switch's strong performance, the average price paid for consoles has risen substantially. This trend is expected to continue until major releases like Grand Theft Auto 6 in November.
PS5 And Xbox Series X Both Didn’t Sell Very Well In May
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S experienced a significant drop in unit sales in May, despite an overall increase in hardware spending. Sony sold 58% fewer PS5 units compared to May 2025, marking the lowest May sales since 2000. Xbox unit sales fell 12%, the worst May performance since its launch, though Microsoft saw hardware spending increase due to price hikes. The Nintendo Switch continued its success, offsetting the declines of the other consoles.
Physical games will not exist in 'less than a decade' predicts analyst
An industry analyst predicts that physical video games will cease to exist within the next decade, despite a recent small increase in US sales. Factors contributing to this prediction include the decline of physical retailers, the dominance of digital sales, and the increasing number of consoles sold without physical drives, such as the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. The analyst notes that even with a recent uptick, the overwhelming majority of game volume is now digital.
Best-selling games in the U.S. for May 2026 – Yoshi and the Mysterious Book cracks the top 10
Circana has released the top-selling video game list for the U.S. in May 2026. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream remains a top seller at #5, while the new release Yoshi and the Mysterious Book debuted at #8. Other notable entries include 007 First Light, Forza Horizon 6, and Crimson Desert.
May 2026 US Console Sales Marked The Worst May Ever for Xbox, Worst May for PlayStation Since 2000
May 2026 saw the worst US hardware sales for Xbox and the worst May since 2000 for PlayStation, attributed to significant price increases across consoles. While Xbox unit sales declined, revenue grew due to higher prices, whereas PlayStation experienced drops in both units sold and revenue. Nintendo's Switch 2 continued to sell well, though future price hikes may pose a challenge. In software, IO Interactive's 007 First Light topped the charts, followed by Forza Horizon 6 and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight.
007 First Light Tops US Sales Charts For May 2026, Hits Fourth Place for Overall 2026 Sales
In May 2026, 007 First Light topped the US video game sales charts, followed by Forza Horizon 6 and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. Resident Evil Requiem remains the best-selling game of 2026 year-to-date, with 007 First Light in fourth place. Total video game spending in the US for May 2026 reached $4.2 billion, a 3% increase over the previous year, with consoles showing a significant 25% rise in spending, despite a decline in hardware unit sales for both PlayStation and Xbox.
Circana: Nintendo Switch 2 helped US physical game spending increase year-on-year for first time since 2009
US physical game spending saw a 3% year-on-year increase to $1.6 billion for the 12 months ending May 2026, marking the first rise since 2009. Market tracker Circana attributes this to the "Switch 2 bump," with physical software sales on Nintendo platforms up 26%, though other ecosystems continue to decline. This is considered a likely temporary blip before physical drives are phased out.
Grand Theft Auto 6’s Lack of Disc in Physical Release Won’t Impact Sales Expectations, Says Analyst
An analyst believes Grand Theft Auto 6's lack of a disc in its initial physical release for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S will not significantly impact sales, citing the prevalence of digital-only consoles. Retailers may benefit from reduced second-hand sales, and the game's pricing at $80 is seen as a unique case due to Rockstar Games' established goodwill.
PS5 Welcome Screen, Smartphone App Get Grand Theft Auto 6 Themes to Celebrate Pre-Orders
Sony is enhancing the Grand Theft Auto 6 marketing campaign with new themes for the PlayStation 5 welcome screen and the PlayStation app, coinciding with the opening of pre-orders on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The article highlights PS5's advantages for the game, including DualSense controller features and Tempest 3D AudioTech, and confirms PS5 Pro Enhanced support. It also details the game's pricing, editions, and the controversial decision to exclude physical discs from the initial release, with analyst Mat Piscatela suggesting it may not significantly impact sales.
Grand Theft Auto 6’s $80 Price Won’t Change Current $70 Baseline for AAA Games, Say Analysts
Industry analysts suggest that Grand Theft Auto 6's $80 price point will not immediately shift the AAA game baseline but may lead to more pricing variance. While some marquee titles might adopt higher prices, many games will likely stick to the $70 baseline due to consumer sensitivity and the need to 'earn' higher prices through established franchise value. Companies like Nintendo and Rockstar Games have unique pricing power due to their strong brand recognition and perceived value.
Multiple retailers drop GTA 6 after physical version is confirmed to be a code in a box
Several retailers, including VGP and Loot Box Gaming, have stopped taking pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 because the physical version will only contain a code for a digital download. These retailers specialize in physical games and have a policy against 'code in a box' releases, though they expressed respect for Rockstar Games. Analyst Mat Piscatella predicts this decision will not significantly impact the game's sales.
'Above $1,000 Is the Floor': Analysts Predict PS6 Price, and It's Not Good
Industry analysts predict that the PlayStation 6 could launch at a price point exceeding $1,000 due to ongoing component shortages and market trends. While some believe Sony will maintain a price below $999 for marketing reasons, others foresee a significant increase, potentially delaying the console's release until 2028.
GTA 6: Will $80 be the new standard, and will more publishers start to skip physical releases?
Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch at $79.99 for the standard edition and $99.99 for the ultimate edition, with physical copies containing only a download code. Analysts discuss whether this price point will become a new industry standard and if publishers will increasingly abandon physical disc releases. While some believe this pricing is justified for a title of GTA 6's caliber, others caution against a widespread shift due to potential consumer backlash.
GTA 6 not having a physical disk won't have any impact on Rockstar's sales, analyst predicts, and it might be…
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella predicts that Grand Theft Auto 6's digital-only release will not negatively impact its sales, despite fan concerns. He argues that the increasing prevalence of consoles without disc drives and the potential for retailers to benefit from code-in-a-box sales mitigate any potential loss. Piscatella also noted that calls for boycotts often lead to increased sales.
Here Are The "Top 200" Best-Selling Nintendo 64 Games In The US
Circana has released a list of the top 200 best-selling Nintendo 64 games in the US, ranked by unit sales. The data, compiled by Mat Piscatella, focuses exclusively on games sold on cartridge for the N64 and does not include later ports. The list highlights classic Nintendo intellectual property among the top titles.
GTA 6's leaked prices are "possible and plausible," analysts say, but a high barrier to entry "would…
Analysts believe that leaked pricing for Grand Theft Auto 6, with potential base prices around $100, is plausible given the game's anticipated scale and Rockstar's market position. However, some suggest a lower price point could be strategically beneficial for long-term revenue through Grand Theft Auto Online and to accommodate players affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
"This is going to be a niche device" – Analysts react to the $1,000+ Steam Machine price reveal
Industry analysts are reacting to Valve's Steam Machine pricing, which starts at $1,049, significantly higher than initially anticipated. This increase is attributed to global component shortages, particularly memory and storage, exacerbated by the generative AI boom. Experts believe this high price point positions the Steam Machine as a niche product and raises questions about the future pricing of upcoming consoles from Sony and Microsoft, with some predicting they will also exceed $1,000.
Gaming Hardware Prices Are Likely Going to Go Even Higher, Say Analysts
Industry analysts predict that gaming hardware prices will continue to rise due to factors like RAM costs, geopolitical situations, and currency fluctuations. While some regions like Asia and MENA are showing resilience, Western markets are particularly affected by these price hikes. Experts suggest that a higher pricing floor for gaming hardware is likely, potentially shifting the industry towards subscription and cloud-based models.
