Remember the thrill of popping in a disc and adding it to your shelf of pride? Xbox seems to think that’s old news. As gaming leans more and more into the digital future, it’s easy to forget that physical games still exist, especially so if you’re an Xbox player.
While PlayStation 5 keeps pumping out physical editions like it’s 2005 all over again, Microsoft is quietly pushing fans toward a future of digital-only. The latest snub? Three major upcoming titles (announced in the Xbox Games Showcase) are getting physical discs on PS5, but not on Series X|S.
A big showcase for Xbox, but PlayStation users take the cake
At the latest Xbox Games Showcase, fans were excited to see major announcements like Gears of War Reloaded, Ninja Gaiden 4, and The Outer Worlds 2. Collectors were just as thrilled until they started checking retailer listings.
What they found was frustrating: all three titles will receive physical disc versions on PlayStation 5, but not on Xbox. This isn’t about exclusivity, it’s about a platform’s philosophy. Microsoft appears to be intentionally distancing itself from physical media.
Despite the Series X featuring a disc drive, the company is treating physical discs like a relic of the past, and it’s starting to feel more like a decorative feature than a supported option. Adding fuel to the fire, The Outer Worlds 2 is getting two separate physical editions on PS5.
Collectors, preservationists, and just plain fans of box art are once again left in the dust by Microsoft. Game Pass is thriving, and cloud gaming is growing fast, but that doesn’t mean physical games are obsolete.
For many fans, this shift feels dismissive and out-of-touch move by the company, which wants to make games available to every player (despite their platform choices). This inclusiveness should also be shown to the Xbox console users who like to collect physical copies.
Nintendo and Sony prove physical media still matters
While Microsoft is retreating from physical games, other major players in the industry continue to prove their lasting appeal. Sony still boasts a strong lineup of physical releases, showing that many gamers want the choice to own a disc.
But it’s not just Sony, Nintendo also keeps its physical cartridges for console/handheld front and center. Even though the recent physical editions often just contain a digital game code rather than full data on the cartridge (that’s a conversation for another date), they are still available.
Why? Because Nintendo knows there is a huge market for physical copies, gamers collect these editions like achievements. For gamers, it’s about more than just playing the game; it’s about ownership, nostalgia, and the value these editions add to the experience.
If companies like Sony and Nintendo can continue supporting physical media in an increasingly digital world, it’s clear that physical copies aren’t obsolete. This makes one thing clear that Xbox seems eager to leave behind, and that’s a misstep.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
