Throughout this most recent console generation, we have seen an increasing shift in the adoption of digital gaming media, with physical disc sales continuously falling with each passing year. That said, there remains a strong sect of players who still prefer to purchase their games physically – with as much as 80% of sales being physical in some situations.
As reported by known industry insider Christopher Dring via TheGameBusiness, boxed games remain a major part of the industry in Europe. While we have seen data which states that as much as 75% of all game sales are digital, these stats would also factor digital-only titles into the equation.
According to Dring however, in comparing the digital-physical split only using titles which offer both methods of purchase, the ratio is quite different – with new Nintendo games reaching 80% physical in Europe.
Of course, Nintendo is known for its dominance in the physical realm. That said, even in looking at PS5, the stats are somewhat surprising with 64% of all games sold in Europe being physical (up from 55% in 2023).
That said, such splits are affected by the type of game in question, with single-player titles seeing more physical sales. For example, Helldivers II sales were said to have been just 10% physical in the UK, while Astro Bot reached up to 55% in the region (and 60% physical in Europe).
A full breakdown of all the different games and their sales ratios can be found HERE, but in essence, it seems clear that there is still a massive market for physical game purchases – especially in the single player space. Hopefully this means that Sony won’t be ditching their disc-drive with the inevitable PlayStation 6.
KitGuru says: What do you think of this breakdown? Are you surprised by the ratios? How often do you buy games physically nowadays? Let us know down below.