Despite Sony's impending shift towards an all-digital future for PlayStation, new data indicates that physical sales for first-party titles remain surprisingly robust. Marvel's Wolverine, a prominent upcoming PS5 exclusive, is estimated to have seen approximately 35 percent of its sales come from disc versions.
This figure, shared by Ampere Analysis with The Game Business, places Wolverine's physical sales in a strong position alongside other September 2025 top sellers. The Blood of Dawnwalker reportedly sold 36 percent of its copies physically, while Silent Hill Townfall achieved an impressive 45 percent in disc form. These numbers are particularly noteworthy in regions like parts of Europe, where PlayStation maintains a dominant market presence.
The data raises questions about the timing and necessity of Sony's move away from physical media. "People have a need to collect," explained NYU business professor and gaming analyst Joost van Dreunen. "That’s where physical sales are still incredibly relevant for the consumer market. The industry is ready to move on, but not so fast. This is increasingly a big part of it."
Physical game spending in the U.S. saw an increase in August, partly driven by game key card sales for the Nintendo Switch. As Sony progresses with its strategy to phase out discs, the strong performance of physical releases like Wolverine may prompt a re-evaluation, especially considering potential shifts from competitors like Xbox with its next-generation Project Helix devices.