Xbox just 4% of physical game sales in 2026, far behind PS5 discs and Switch 2 cartridges

After revealing it would abandon PS5 discs in 2028, PlayStation has faced constant criticism. The company explained that most buyers now prefer digital purchases. Even so, new U.S. data from Circana highlights how a much higher percentage of Xbox console owners have moved on from physical games.

The fall of Xbox discs

A Kotaku article expanded on July numbers provided by Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. The research group says that Xbox titles have accounted for only slightly more than 4% of physical game sales in 2026. Nintendo systems, including the Switch and Switch 2, led with 63%. Meanwhile, software for PlayStation consoles was responsible for 32% of the remaining share.

Xbox console adoption also lags far behind its rivals. In June, VGChartz estimated that Series X|S sales finished at 14%, overshadowed by PlayStation and Nintendo hardware. It’s not surprising that PS5 discs and Switch 2 cartridges dominate. That said, there are reasons why Microsoft is further along in its transition to digital gaming.

Both Microsoft and Sony produce exclusively digital consoles. Regardless, the cheaper Xbox Series S offers no optical drive option. Although last updated in 2024, Circana reported that ownership was roughly split between the Series X and Series S. By contrast, through June 2026, 27% of PS5 console sales were for digital models.

The Game Pass effect

The PlayStation Plus subscription service is extremely popular. Still, Game Pass features day-one titles when launch weeks are the most critical for publishers. Some players who depend on the monthly flow of new titles might otherwise visit retail stores.

Other gamers observe a declining presence of Xbox in brick-and-mortar locations. Shelves previously devoted to Xbox games and hardware have been replaced by its Switch 2 and PS5 competition.

Possibly weary of the PlayStation protests, Microsoft hasn’t commented on Blu-ray support for the Project Helix. However, the company may score points if it announces the rumored disc-to-digital program. The program would let buyers convert physical games to digital licenses and still sell the discs later.