A recent analysis by Does it Play, an outlet focused on the offline playability of physical game media, suggests that modern consoles are increasingly reliant on internet downloads, even for games purchased on disc. The study found that a significant percentage of physical PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X games do not function fully without an initial download.
For the PlayStation 5, Does it Play tested 792 games. The findings indicate that 66% of these games can be played as intended without any downloads. However, 17% are categorized as beatable but contain significant bugs or missing core content, while another 17% require some form of download to be playable at all.
Microsoft's Xbox Series X shows a less favorable outcome, with only 50% of the 78 tested games being fully playable offline. An additional 12% are deemed technically beatable but suffer from critical bugs or incomplete content, while a substantial 68% necessitate a download to function. While the sample size for Xbox is considerably smaller than for PlayStation, the trend suggests a similar reliance on digital components.
In comparison, the Nintendo Switch fares better, with 75% of its 48 tested games reportedly being beatable and content-complete offline. However, this figure is based on a much smaller dataset.
The implications of this trend extend beyond mere convenience. For players with limited data caps, the necessity of downloading substantial game files negates the perceived benefit of purchasing physical media. Furthermore, the reliance on online servers poses a risk; as demonstrated by recent Xbox server outages, connectivity issues can render purchased games unplayable. 
Perhaps the most significant concern is for game preservation. As servers are eventually decommissioned, games that depend on downloadable updates or content may become unplayable over time. This creates a substantial challenge for archivists and preservationists attempting to safeguard game history. Unlike PC gaming, where physical media has largely been supplanted by digital distribution and older discs can often be made to work with compatibility layers, future console generations, potentially without disc drives, will make preserving physical game access even more difficult.