Physical editions of upcoming Xbox games will include a disc after all (with a catch)

Over the past few days, we’ve seen Microsoft back-track on many of its more controversial decisions when it comes to Xbox and the games it produces, with the publisher announcing that it would no longer be increasing its full-priced games to $80 later this holiday. Following this, the console maker has now confirmed that the Xbox releases of The Outer Worlds 2 and Ninja Gaiden 4 will include an actual disc in the box…sort of.

Over the past year or so, Microsoft has moved away from physical media. White in and of itself nothing too strange (given their focus on software), those who did opt to buy first-party Xbox games physically were met with little more than a code in a box.

This understandably bothered some users – especially as many of its PS5 counterparts did include physical Blu-Rays (albeit with little to no data on it). Still, it seems as though Microsoft is trying to get into the good graces of Xbox players, with the publisher having now confirmed that at the very least The Outer Worlds 2 and Ninja Gaiden 4 will feature a disc in the box on both PS5 and Xbox.

Previously, only the PS5 version was stated to include a disc, with the Xbox release directly acknowledging that it simply includes a digital download code.

That said, it is worth noting that as of right now, only physical deluxe editions are available to pre-order on Xbox – with PS5 users having the option to also purchase the standard edition while still receiving an actual disc.

Of course, as with previous physical releases by Microsoft, expect these discs to include only a portion of the game’s actual data. Still, having a physical disc is better than no disc at all.

It will be interesting to see whether Microsoft chooses to release physical versions of the standard editions on Xbox – or if users will have to cough up the extra £10-20 for the pleasure of owning a disc.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this latest move? Why do you think there is no physical standard edition for Microsoft's consoles? Let us know down below.

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