Physical Media
Ongoing coverage on Physical Media.
Latest coverage
Assassin's Creed Fans Furious as Physical Copies of Black Flag's PS5 Remake Will Require Internet
Physical copies of the upcoming PlayStation 5 remake, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced, will require an internet connection to install the game, as indicated on the box art. This decision has led to backlash from fans who are frustrated with the increasing reliance on digital requirements for physical game releases. Ubisoft has not yet provided a specific reason for this mandate.
GameStop Is Trying To Capitalize On PS5's Reported New Online Requirement
GameStop is capitalizing on reports that Sony may implement a 30-day online requirement for digital game licenses on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The retailer is offering discounts on preowned physical games, promoting ownership and offline play as an alternative to Sony's potential new policy. Sony has not officially commented on the reported requirement.
Game Manuals Were Gaming's Golden Age, and We Threw It All Away | HappyGamer
This article reflects on the lost art of physical game manuals, contrasting them with modern digital tutorials and pop-ups. It argues that these detailed booklets, filled with lore and artwork, created a deeper player connection and anticipation that is missing in today's convenient but less ceremonious gaming landscape.
FOTO: Menelusuri Lorong Waktu Tren Musik di Record Store Day Market
The Record Store Day Indonesia Market x Pop City: Music Edition featured stalls for physical media releases, album signings, live music performances, and talks. The event explored music trends through the lens of physical media and the Record Store Day initiative.
Meet the Man Making PS5 Manuals for Your Physical Games
Sandeep Rai is creating physical game manuals for modern PlayStation titles, including for the PlayStation 5, to recapture the nostalgia of older gaming eras. His efforts have led to hundreds of sales for his custom manuals, with popular titles like Bloodborne and Astro Bot being best-sellers. Rai aims to fill the gap left by publishers who have largely abandoned physical manuals in favor of digital releases.
Physical vs Digital Games: Souls Fans Spark Collection Debate
A debate has resurfaced among gamers, particularly Souls series fans, regarding the merits of physical versus digital game ownership. While digital offers convenience and instant access, physical collectors value the tangible aspect of owning games as artifacts. The article suggests a hybrid approach, where highly valued games are kept physical while others are acquired digitally, acknowledging that the core of the debate lies in control over one's game library.
Amazon’s Counterfeit Game Problem Reaches Nintendo Switch Physical Copies
Amazon is facing a significant problem with counterfeit Nintendo Switch game cartridges being sold directly through its platform, even with the "shipped and sold by Amazon" label. This issue is particularly concerning for physical game collectors due to the sophistication of the fakes and the speed at which they are appearing in circulation, raising questions about Amazon's inventory management and the future of physical game collecting.
Red Dead Redemption Gets Cheaper PS5 Physical Edition This May
Red Dead Redemption will receive its first physical PlayStation 5 edition in Europe on May 7, 2026, priced at €34.99, undercutting the current digital version's cost. This release marks a significant moment for physical media collectors and raises questions about pricing strategies and game preservation. While currently only announced for Europe, the release could set a precedent for future physical editions of older games.
Red Dead Redemption PS5 Physical Edition Leaks, Out on 7th May
A physical disc version of Red Dead Redemption for the PlayStation 5 has been leaked, with reports suggesting a release date of May 7, 2026, and a price of €34.99. This edition is expected to include the Undead Nightmare expansion, similar to the digital version already available on the PlayStation Store and included with PS Plus Extra.
Red Dead Redemption Appears to Be Getting a PS5 Physical Edition
A retailer listing suggests that a physical disc version of Red Dead Redemption for PlayStation 5 will be released in May 2026. This edition is expected to include the base game and the Undead Nightmare expansion, similar to the digital version available on the PlayStation Store and through PS Plus Extra. Rockstar Games has not yet officially confirmed the physical release.
Amazon's 3 For $33 Deal Makes 4K Blu-Rays A Bargain Again
Amazon is offering a deal where customers can purchase three 4K Blu-ray movies for $33, with individual discs costing $11. The sale includes a variety of classic and modern films, with many also containing standard Blu-ray versions and digital codes. This promotion aims to make building a physical movie collection more affordable.
Konami Reveals Steelbook for Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2, No Word on Whether It's Coming to the US
Konami has revealed a Steelbook edition for Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2, featuring artwork of Old Snake and Big Boss. However, the announcement suggests this special edition may be exclusive to the UK, with no confirmation of a US release.
Former Xbox VP Ed Fries Says Consoles Aren’t Going Away, Reflects on Industry Growth
Former Xbox Vice President Ed Fries believes consoles will remain relevant in the gaming industry. The discussion also touches upon the importance of game preservation and the ongoing debate surrounding physical media versus digital distribution.
Everything Evercade: All the latest cartridge releases and consoles for Blaze's modern retro platform
Blaze's Evercade platform has expanded significantly since its 2020 debut, offering a range of retro consoles from handhelds to arcade machines that utilize physical cartridges. Recent releases include Taito Arcade 3 and The Turrican Collection, with upcoming compilations like Mega Cat Studios Collection 3 and Activision Collection 2 on the horizon. The Evercade Nexus handheld is set to offer enhanced features for early 3D games, while the platform's unique emulation approach prioritizes convenience and accuracy over user customization.
Diablo 4's Lord of Hatred expansion teased in new book!... | TAG
A new book titled 'Lord of Hatred' offers an early look at Diablo 4's upcoming expansion, teasing new lore and story elements set in the Skovos Isles. Meanwhile, Limited Run Games is addressing past delays by setting more realistic shipping expectations, potentially pushing some preorders to late 2026. Bungie has also announced a nerf to the powerful Biotoxic Disinjector weapon in Marathon to improve game balance.
Starfield PS5 Won't Play Off Physical Disc without a Download
Starfield's physical edition for PlayStation 5 requires an 81GB download from the Blu-ray disc, with the full game size being approximately 123GB. This necessitates an internet connection for the initial setup, raising concerns about long-term game preservation as the disc may become unplayable if Sony's servers are eventually shut down.
PSA: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Is Now Available Physically On Switch 2
The physical edition of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds for the Nintendo Switch 2 is now available. Unlike some recent releases, this edition contains the full base game on the cartridge. The game was originally released on September 25, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch and December 4, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop, but did not meet Sega's sales expectations despite receiving positive reviews.
Nintendo Announces Separate Prices for Its Physical and Digital Switch 2 Titles From May Onwards
Nintendo will implement separate pricing for physical and digital versions of its Nintendo Switch titles starting in May, with 'Yoshi and the Mysterious Book' being the first affected. The digital edition will cost $59.99, while the physical version will retail for $69.99. Nintendo stated this change reflects the differing costs of production and distribution for each format, while acknowledging that retail partners set their own prices.
Starbites Nintendo Switch 2 game-key card release has been cancelled
NIS America has cancelled the planned game-key card release of Starbites for the Nintendo Switch. The publisher had intended to sell the title through its online store and at retailers, but this will no longer occur.
The complete Stranger Things DVD set includes 25 discs and costs around $200
A complete DVD and Blu-ray set for Stranger Things: The Complete Series is available for preorder, featuring all five seasons across 25 discs. The collection will be released on July 28 and includes standard and deluxe editions with bonus content, artwork, and collectibles, priced between $200 and $260.