LONDON (IT BOLTWISE) – The console world is about to change: the trend towards digital sales continues to grow, and analysts predict a future without physical games. While Sony and Microsoft are already relying heavily on digital content, Nintendo is also showing signs of change.
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The console industry is undergoing profound change, characterized by the increasing share of digital game sales. Analysts like Circana’s Mat Piscatella see a future where physical game releases could be a thing of the past. This development is underpinned by recent sales figures, which show that digital distribution is already dominant at Sony and Microsoft.
Sony in particular has seen a notable increase in digital sales in recent years. In the second quarter of 2025, 83 percent of games for the PS5 and PS4 were sold digitally. These numbers illustrate the trend, which is also reinforced by the introduction of the Xbox Series S without an optical drive. Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass also contributes to the preference for digital content.
Interestingly, Nintendo remains one of the last major console manufacturers to still rely heavily on physical game releases. But here too there is a change. With the introduction of the Switch 2 in June 2025, the proportion of games sold digitally has increased noticeably. This suggests that Nintendo, at least in the US, is increasingly focusing on digital distribution.
Analyst Piscatella predicts that the next generation of Xbox consoles may not have a disc drive at all. Sony could follow a similar strategy to the PS5 and offer an optional disc drive. These developments reflect global trends, with physical gaming still playing a larger role in some regions than in the US.
The shift towards digital content is having far-reaching implications for the gaming industry. Developers and publishers must adapt and align their business models accordingly. While some smaller titles are already being released exclusively digitally, it remains to be seen how the big blockbusters will position themselves in the future.
Overall, it shows that the console world is facing a digital future that offers both challenges and opportunities. The question of whether physical games will disappear completely remains open, but the trend is clear. The coming years will show how the industry develops and what new business models emerge.
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