Physical Media
Ongoing coverage on Physical Media.
Latest coverage
Nintendo has "no plans to ditch physical games," exec says amid PlayStation disc backlash: "We go off of…
Nintendo's vice president Bill van Zyll stated the company has no plans to abandon physical media, contrasting with Sony's decision to end disc support for new PlayStation games in 2028. Van Zyll emphasized Nintendo's agnostic approach, considering consumer preference and the continued support for physical games on the Nintendo Switch.
Games Inbox: Will there be a new GTA 6 trailer before launch?
Readers discuss the potential for a new Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer to counter recent leaks, with one suggesting it's the best way for Rockstar Games to manage the situation. Other topics include the enduring quality of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Nintendo Switch, the appeal of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's remaster, and concerns about Sony's future disc policy.
Nintendo Exec Says There Are “No Plans to Ditch Physical”
Nintendo of America's Bill van Zyll stated that the company has no plans to abandon physical game media, emphasizing their agnostic approach and the Nintendo Switch's capability for both physical and digital formats. This comes amid industry discussions about the future of physical media, with Sony ending PlayStation disc production in 2028 and former Sony executive Shawn Layden expressing concerns about game ownership.
Nintendo explains how it prices games, including impact of physical vs. digital
Nintendo's Bill van Zyll explained that game pricing considers value, playtime, complexity, and development costs. The divergence between physical and digital prices on the Nintendo Switch is attributed to the rising costs of manufacturing physical media, such as cartridges and chips, compared to digital distribution.
Nintendo says it has no plans to ditch physical games, knows how much fans like it
Nintendo of America's VP and general manager, Bill van Zyll, stated that the company has no plans to discontinue physical game releases. He acknowledged the strong fan preference for physical media and confirmed that the Nintendo Switch supports both digital and physical formats. While full cartridges are preferred by collectors, game-key card sales have seen significant growth.
If Sony change their PlayStation disc policy people will like them again - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that Sony could regain fan favor by reinstating physical disc support for its consoles, citing ongoing community complaints and the strong sales of physical copies for games like Marvel's Wolverine. The author suggests that a consumer-driven boycott or a shift back to discs could pressure Sony to reverse its all-digital policy, which is perceived as a move to increase profits by eliminating retail cuts.
Sony is still selling tons of the discs it plans to kill off: Marvel's Wolverine launch sales were reportedly 35% physical, showing a huge appetite for a non-digital future
Despite Sony's planned discontinuation of physical disc production in 2028, sales figures for Marvel's Wolverine and other titles indicate a significant consumer demand for physical media. Approximately 35% of Marvel's Wolverine sales were physical copies, a trend mirrored in other recent releases, suggesting the physical market is healthier than Sony's digital-first strategy implies.
Marvel's Wolverine physical sales show why Sony are wrong to abandon discs
Physical sales of Marvel's Wolverine, particularly in Europe where 51% of copies were boxed, demonstrate a continued demand for physical media that contradicts Sony Interactive Entertainment's decision to abandon discs. While overall spending on new physical software has seen growth, this is largely driven by game-key cards on Nintendo Switch, not traditional discs.
35% Of Marvel’s Wolverine Copies Sold Are Physical, Claims Sales Data
Sales data indicates that 35% of Marvel's Wolverine copies sold were physical, suggesting a continued demand for physical media despite Sony's stated plans to phase out discs by 2028. The game has sold approximately 2.16 million copies.
Nintendo Switch 2 game-key card sales have increased by 631% in the U.S.
Sales of Nintendo Switch game-key cards in the U.S. have surged by 631% in 2026 year-to-date, according to Circana. This increase in digital game card sales has driven overall new physical software spending up by 5%, offsetting a decline in other physical media formats. Elden Ring was noted as a recent title that saw a boost from game-key card releases.
Best retro gifts 2026: Handpicked gadgets for '80s and '90s revivalists
This article highlights a curated selection of retro gifts for 2026, focusing on '80s and '90s revivalists. It covers a range of gadgets, from adapters for modern controllers with older consoles like the PlayStation 2, to retro-styled MP3 players and physical media items, catering to nostalgia for classic games, tech, and toys.
RPG creator says Sony's all-digital future is good for devs as discs "can't win in terms of convenience" and games like GTA 6 are "too big" for them anyway
Hiroshi Matsuyama, CEO of CyberConnect 2, believes Sony's move towards an all-digital future for PlayStation is beneficial for game developers. He argues that digital distribution eliminates manufacturing costs, increases profitability, and is more convenient for consumers, citing the massive file sizes of games like Grand Theft Auto 6 as evidence that physical discs are becoming obsolete.
Sony’s Decision to End PlayStation Discs Raises Questions About Ownership, Says Former Exec
Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios boss Shawn Layden expressed disagreement with Sony's decision to end PlayStation disc production, citing the importance of physical media buyers and the implications for game ownership. He argues that shifting to digital-only access changes the consumer's perception of ownership and could negatively impact brand reputation, especially in regions with poor internet infrastructure.
"If you don't own it, then what are you buying?": Ex-PlayStation boss says Sony killing discs raises the "insidious" discussion of game ownership
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden expressed concern over Sony's move away from physical discs, arguing it shifts the focus from game ownership to mere access. He believes this decision alienates dedicated players and could negatively impact the PlayStation brand, despite acknowledging he lacks insight into Sony's financial data.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Says “I Did My Best” For Physical Release
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi discussed his efforts to secure a physical disc release for the game, acknowledging the ongoing debate around physical media. While he personally prefers physical copies, he noted his authority was limited to game content, with publishing decisions handled by the team. Ultimately, the game will feature a single disc with opening sections, requiring a download for the full experience.
On PS5 and Xbox, Revelation’s Disc Is Only a Starting Point
Final Fantasy VII Remake's physical release will only include the game's opening on disc, with the rest requiring a substantial download for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X players. Director Naoki Hamaguchi expressed a desire for more complete physical releases but acknowledged limitations in his authority over product strategy. This approach reflects a broader industry trend away from full physical game discs, with Sony planning to cease PlayStation disc production in 2028.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director says he "did his best" to fight for a full disc release
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi stated he advocated for a full physical disc release, but ultimately the game will ship with a "key disc" containing only the opening, requiring a large download. Hamaguchi expressed understanding for fan frustration with the industry's shift towards digital-only distribution, acknowledging his limited authority over publishing decisions.
'I Did My Best' — Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Responds to Fans Asking for Full Disc Version
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi stated he advocated for a physical disc version of the game, acknowledging the industry's shift towards disc-less distribution. He expressed that he did his best to push for the physical release.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation lead says he pushed Square Enix for a physical version of the JRPG, but physical media will…
Final Fantasy 7 Remake director Naoki Hamaguchi stated he advocated for a physical release of the game, which will launch on a single disc but require an internet connection to download the majority of its content. Hamaguchi acknowledged fan concerns about the nature of physical media and the trend towards digital-only releases, noting that securing even this partial physical version was a difficult negotiation with Square Enix and platform holders.
Sony’s consultation on physical media: better late than never | Opinion
Sony's belated consultation with development partners regarding the discontinuation of physical media for PlayStation 5 games is criticized as a poorly handled, unilateral decision. While the consultation may lead to minor compromises, it is seen more as a PR response to backlash than a genuine reconsideration of policy, potentially alienating consumers and smaller publishers who rely on physical releases for revenue and special editions.
