Switch 2 Drives Small Rise in US Physical Game Spending

Overview

• Circana data show US spending on physical video games rose 3% year‑on‑year to $1.6 billion for the 12 months ending May 2026.
• Nintendo platforms were the main driver, with physical software sales up about 26% over the prior year as Switch 2 hardware sold strongly.
• Circana senior director Mat Piscatella warned the increase is likely temporary, noting non‑Nintendo platforms continue to fall by double digits.
• Industry moves that reduce physical demand include major releases planned as download‑only or sold as 'code‑in‑the‑box', a trend already seen in the 2026 sales mix.
• If console makers drop disc drives and publishers favor digital launches, physical copies are likely to persist mainly as niche collector products and could further squeeze retailers and secondhand sellers.