Physical PS5 Game Sales Are Weaker Than You Might Expect
Overview & Key Takeaways
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 released new data recently that reveals that only two PlayStation games sold more than 10,000 physical units in the US for the week that ended on July 11, 2026. And only 7 have sold more than 100,000 physical units so far in 2026.
Piscatella also remarked that people should use their voice to comment on how much they might not like Sony's decision to kill physical discs. "But commenting is cheap," he wrote.
A former community manager for MyDearest, Imran Khan, replied to Piscatella, saying that people may be wasting their breath by speaking out to challenge Sony's decision to end support for discs.
"It doesn't filter up to decision-makers. Frankly, half your job is making sure it doesn't. There's no threshold of abuse or numbers where they have to send all of it in an Excel document to the CEO," Khan said.
Piscatella also re-shared data from May 2026 that showed spending on new physical games--across the entire industry--has been on a steady downward trajectory since 2009.
https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3mr5my6cnrk2k
Piscatella added: "The console manufacturers have all the data on sales and play that take place on their platforms globally in mind-boggling detail."
"Yes, physical currently matters far more in some places than it does in others, and digital isn't a great an option in some places. The console mfgs know all that."
The data has shown for years that physical game sales are declining at most major publishers, so Sony's switch to an all-digital world is not surprising.
It is unfortunate for those who want to see physical media continue, and hundreds of thousands of people signed a petition to encourage Sony to change its mind. This petition and other efforts will not work, experts have said, because making more money and tightening control of marketplaces are the main motivations here.
The biggest game of 2026, GTA 6, will launch as a digital-exclusive game. People can buy a copy of GTA 6 at physical retailers, but they only get a code in the box. Rockstar stands to make more money from GTA 6 and have greater control over it as a digital-exclusive game, so it's not hard to see why it opted for this, even if it will upset some people.
While Sony has announced plans to stop supporting physical game discs/cartridges, Microsoft and Nintendo have not made any announcements about their own plans.
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 released new data recently that reveals that only two PlayStation games sold more than 10,000 physical units in the US for the week that ended on July 11, 2026. And only 7 have sold more than 100,000 physical units so far in 2026.
Piscatella also remarked that people should use their voice to comment on how much they might not like Sony’s decision to kill physical discs. “But commenting is cheap,” he wrote.
A former community manager for MyDearest, Imran Khan, replied to Piscatella, saying that people may be wasting their breath by speaking out to challenge Sony’s decision to end support for discs.
“It doesn’t filter up to decision-makers. Frankly, half your job is making sure it doesn’t. There’s no threshold of abuse or numbers where they have to send all of it in an Excel document to the CEO,” Khan said.
Piscatella also re-shared data from May 2026 that showed spending on new physical games–across the entire industry–has been on a steady downward trajectory since 2009.
Reposting the US physical software sales trend for folks wanting more context.Circana tracks the Americas, other firms track other regions.I'm no fan of physical going away, but it wasn't my call.And I get people are passionate on this topic. I'm not saying people shouldn't be. Live your life.
— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2026-07-21T10:46:29.558Z
Piscatella added: “The console manufacturers have all the data on sales and play that take place on their platforms globally in mind-boggling detail.”
“Yes, physical currently matters far more in some places than it does in others, and digital isn’t a great an option in some places. The console mfgs know all that.”
The data has shown for years that physical game sales are declining at most major publishers, so Sony’s switch to an all-digital world is not surprising.
It is unfortunate for those who want to see physical media continue, and hundreds of thousands of people signed a petition to encourage Sony to change its mind. This petition and other efforts will not work, experts have said, because making more money and tightening control of marketplaces are the main motivations here.
The biggest game of 2026, GTA 6, will launch as a digital-exclusive game. People can buy a copy of GTA 6 at physical retailers, but they only get a code in the box. Rockstar stands to make more money from GTA 6 and have greater control over it as a digital-exclusive game, so it’s not hard to see why it opted for this, even if it will upset some people.
While Sony has announced plans to stop supporting physical game discs/cartridges, Microsoft and Nintendo have not made any announcements about their own plans.
