Decline in Physical PS5 Game Sales Revealed
In the wake of Sony announcing that it will end support for physical PlayStation game discs in 2028, new data has come to light that speaks to the growing decline in physical PlayStation game sales in the US.
In the wake of Sony announcing that it will end support for physical PlayStation game discs in 2028, new data has come to light that speaks to the growing decline in physical PlayStation game sales in the US.
Mat Piscatella of Circana recently released data indicating that only two PlayStation games sold over 10,000 physical units in the US for the week ending July 11, 2026. Additionally, just 7 games have surpassed 100,000 physical units sold in 2026. Piscatella emphasized the diminishing importance of physical sales, noting the steady decline in spending on new physical games since 2009. Despite efforts such as petitions, experts believe Sony's shift to an all-digital landscape is driven by financial motives and market control.
The highly anticipated GTA 6, the biggest game of 2026, will be a digital-exclusive release. While physical copies will be available for purchase, they will only contain a download code. This move allows Rockstar to maximize profits and exercise greater control over the game. In contrast to Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo have not disclosed any plans to discontinue physical game support.
