Only 4% of US Players Purchased New Xbox Physical Games

Summary

According to Circana's latest monthly report, among newly released physical video games in the US market this year, Nintendo platforms account for 63% of sales, PlayStation platforms make up 32%, and Xbox platforms hold just slightly over 4%. The data was confirmed by analyst Mat Piscatella after Kotaku reporters inquired, sparking widespread discussion about the future of physical game media. Analysts attribute Xbox's low physical sales share primarily to the availability of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which encourages players to acquire games digitally rather than buying discs. Additionally, several major first-party Xbox titles this year, such as Halo: Combat Evolved and Forza Horizon 6, have been released or planned for multiple platforms, further reducing the share of Xbox physical editions. In contrast, Nintendo players still show a strong preference for physical games, while PlayStation users are less covered by digital subscription services, resulting in a higher physical sales share. This trend not only highlights the ongoing shift from physical to digital games but also reveals significant differences in sales strategies and user habits across the three major console platforms. With Sony planning to cease production of new physical game discs by 2028, Xbox may also accelerate its transition to digital distribution, posing greater challenges to the status of physical…