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Sales Data Paints a Very Grim Picture for Physical PS5 Games in the USA
New sales data cited by Push Square shows that physical PS5 game sales in the USA have fallen sharply, with Circana director Mat Piscatella reporting that only seven PS5 titles have sold more than 100,000 physical copies in the whole of 2026 so far. This underlines the scale of the decline in physical media purchases and helps explain Sony's decision to end PlayStation disc production from January 2028, a move that has sparked a heated backlash from fans despite the company showing little sign of reconsidering.
In the week ending 11th July 2026, just two PS5 games sold more than 10,000 physical units. Piscatella did not name the seven bestselling titles, though big 2026 releases such as Resident Evil Requiem, Crimson Desert and 007 First Light are likely candidates. Sony has said the shift reflects consumer preference for digital media, which now accounts for as much as an 85% swing in sales towards the PS Store and other digital platforms, even as a vocal minority of fans continues to campaign against the end of physical discs.
In short
- Only seven PS5 games topped 100,000 physical US sales in 2026
- Data supports Sony's move to end PS5 disc production from January 2028
- Digital sales now dominate, with up to an 85% shift from physical
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The sales data conclusively demonstrates that consumers have migrated to digital, with 85 per cent of sales now digital and only seven PS5 titles selling over 100,000 physical copies in 2026. Sony's decision to end disc production rationally reflects this clear market preference and allows the company to streamline operations whilst focusing resources on the distribution platform consumers have chosen.
The case against
Ending physical media removes consumer choice and raises substantive concerns about game preservation, as digital titles can be delisted and become permanently inaccessible whilst physical discs remain playable indefinitely. Digital distribution concentrates corporate control through licensing rather than ownership, disadvantages those with poor internet access, and eliminates the affordable used-game market, so consumers who value these freedoms deserve to retain purchasing options.
Explained simply
PlayStation 5 games come in physical form as discs and digital form as downloads. Physical game sales figures matter to the industry because they indicate what consumers want, helping companies and retailers plan their strategies.
For several years, most players have preferred downloading games rather than buying physical copies, a trend accelerating across the industry. Sony has announced it will stop manufacturing physical PS5 discs, citing strong consumer preference for digital. Whilst some consumers have expressed concerns about ownership rights and future access to digital-only game libraries, the company points to sales data showing the clear shift towards digital purchases.
The phasing out of physical media affects different groups differently. Retailers who depend on physical game sales face declining revenue, whilst some consumers worry about moving to an all-digital model. For others, the shift simply reflects their existing preference for the convenience of downloading and playing games instantly.