Physical Game Sales
Ongoing coverage on Physical Game Sales.
Latest coverage
US: 63% of new physical games sold this year have been for Nintendo platforms
New sales data from Circana reveals that Nintendo platforms accounted for 63% of physical video game sales in the United States this year. Sony holds second place with 32% of physical sales, followed by Xbox.
63% of new physical games sold this year in the US have been on Nintendo platforms
In the United States, 63% of new physical game sales this year have been on Nintendo platforms, with PlayStation accounting for 32% and Xbox just over 4%. Nintendo's latest financial report indicates that 38.5% of its global software sales are still physical, while digital sales have seen a significant increase.
Nintendo won't abandon cartridges as Switch physical game sales are almost 40%
Nintendo has confirmed that physical game sales still account for a significant 38.5% of its revenue, despite a 90% increase in digital sales for the first quarter of the 2027 fiscal year. This contrasts sharply with Sony, where 82% of PlayStation 4 and 5 game sales are digital. The company's continued reliance on cartridges suggests it will not abandon physical media soon, especially with the upcoming Switch 2.
Analytiker: 7 Playstation-spel har sålts i över 100 000 fysiska ex under 2026 i USA
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella shared data indicating that only seven PlayStation games sold over 100,000 physical copies in the US during 2026. This trend, despite fan outcry, likely influences Sony's decision to cease physical releases after 2027, especially considering varying digital access globally.
Physical PS5 Game Sales Are Weaker Than You Might Expect
New data indicates a significant decline in physical PlayStation 5 game sales in the US, with only two titles selling over 10,000 units in a recent week. Experts suggest that Sony's move towards digital-only distribution, driven by profit and control, is irreversible despite public petitions. This trend is exemplified by Grand Theft Auto 6, which will be a digital-exclusive release.
Industry analyst reports only 7 PlayStation games 'have sold more than 100,000 physical units year-to-date' in the US, as fans demand Sony kill its plan to end the production of discs
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella reports that only seven PlayStation games have sold over 100,000 physical units in the US year-to-date, with only two selling over 10,000 in a single week. This data emerges as fans protest Sony's planned discontinuation of physical disc production in January 2028, though analysts suggest the company will not reverse its decision due to the profitability of digital sales.
US physical game sales hit new low as dev hits out at fans over digital protests
US physical game sales have reached a new low, with only seven games selling over 100,000 physical copies in the past year, according to analyst Mat Piscatella. This trend is contributing to Sony's decision to phase out physical releases for PlayStation games after 2027, despite consumer backlash. Chet Faliszek noted that consumer preference for digital purchases, which account for 85% of PlayStation 4 and 5 sales, is driving this industry shift.
Labor unions challenge Xbox, GameStop CEO says physical game sales are 'irrelevant,' and Glen Schofield retires - Patch Notes #61
Labor unions have filed unfair labor practice charges against Microsoft for allegedly mishandling recent Xbox layoffs, citing "coercive actions" and "unilateral changes." Meanwhile, Dead Space co-creator Glen Schofield has retired from game development, and GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen stated that physical game sales are "irrelevant" to the company's business.
Business and Finance
GameStop CEO Daniel P. Moorer stated that physical video game sales are irrelevant to the company's business strategy. This statement highlights a shift in focus for the retailer amidst evolving market trends.
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.
US: Nintendo Switch 2 launch saw a big bump in physical video games sold
Physical video game sales in the United States saw a significant increase following the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. This surge in physical sales offers positive news for the market, which has been trending towards digital distribution.
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.
US Market Spending On New Physical Game Copies In 2025 Reaches Lowest Point Since 1995
US market spending on new physical game copies is projected to reach its lowest point in 2025, a trend not seen since 1995. February's PlayStation download charts show Resident Evil Requiem topping both US and EU PS5 charts, indicating a continued interest in zombie-themed games.
US Gamers Are Spending Way Less Than They Used To On Physical Games
US spending on physical video games saw an 11% decline from 2024 to 2025, reaching an all-time low of $1.5 billion in 2025. While this trend reflects the rise of digital distribution and subscription services like PlayStation Plus Catalog and Xbox Game Pass, the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 is noted to have helped stabilize numbers. Analysts suggest a potential resurgence of physical media could occur as older technologies gain popularity.
Physical Game Sales Hit All-Time Low in the US
Physical game sales in the US have hit an all-time low of $1.5 billion in 2025, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. While the market is in decline, the year-on-year drop of 11% is the smallest since 2021. Digital sales continue to grow, with platform holders like Sony and Microsoft favoring digital storefronts and consoles without disc drives.
UK: Christopher Dring says physical sales of Resident Evil Requiem on Nintendo Switch 2 haven’t done big numbers
UK journalist Christopher Dring reports that physical sales for Resident Evil Village on the Nintendo Switch have been low in the United Kingdom. While it sold more than Mario Tennis Aces in its first week, its performance is comparable to Cyberpunk 2077's physical sales last year, indicating a general slowdown for third-party physical releases on the platform in the region.
