Ghost of Yotei leads UK sales charts, but shows declining demand for physical PS5 games

Even with some controversy before the Ghost of Yotei release date, the game is off to a strong start. Christopher Dring of The Game Business gave readers an early look at the latest physical UK retail rankings. Still, as digital PS5 games dominate, physical sales are lagging significantly behind Ghost of Tsushima.

Sony’s first-party open-world adventure debuts ahead of some stiff competition. More buyers have purchased disc versions than EA FC 26 and the Super Mario Galaxy 1 +2 Switch compilation. The football franchise is a massive seller in the UK and throughout Europe. Beating Mario is always a tough task, but some Nintendo fans are resentful of the remaster’s high price tag.

As Dring notes, Ghost of Yotei physical sales are down approximately 40% compared to its predecessor. However, the gaming landscape has undergone significant changes since Ghost of Tsushima arrived. Sony’s latest financial report revealed that the percentage of physical games bought in 2024 was half that of 2020. Meanwhile, digital sales have risen to 76% of total game purchases.

Ghost of Yotei hopes for steady PS Store sales

To top the 2025 rankings, the Sucker Punch project will need to perform well on the PlayStation Store.  So far, among new PS5 digital games, it’s number one in the U.S., while a single place behind EA FC 26 in the UK.

There were concerns that a scandal could derail the PlayStation title’s launch. A Sucker Punch developer was fired just ahead of the Ghost of Yotei release date. The studio deemed his comments about a recently assassinated political figure unacceptable. Nevertheless, it appears the game is finding acceptance among a wide audience. Reviewers also generally praise its improved graphics and evolved combat system.

Ghost of Yotei is another primarily single-player first-party PS5 game finding success. Some critics believe Sony should reconsider prioritizing live-service multiplayer alternatives.