Physical Game Sales in the US Rise for the First Time in 17 Years Despite GTA 6 Going Disc-Free

The gaming industry continues to shift toward digital distribution, but new market data suggests that physical game sales in the United States are making an unexpected comeback. According to the latest analysis from Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, spending on physical video games increased by 3% year-over-year during the 12 months ending in May 2026—the first annual growth recorded since 2009. The surprising milestone comes just days after Rockstar confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI will ship without a game disc, even in its boxed edition.

While the increase marks a significant moment for physical media, Piscatella cautioned that it should not be viewed as the beginning of a long-term recovery. Instead, he described the growth as a temporary boost largely driven by the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, which encouraged consumers to purchase boxed games alongside the new console. Despite the recent uptick, digital downloads continue to dominate the market, with physical software sales remaining far below their peak levels from the late 2000s.

The timing is particularly noteworthy because Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the most anticipated games ever made, will reportedly launch in a code-in-a-box format, meaning physical editions will include a download code rather than a Blu-ray disc. The decision has sparked debate among collectors and retailers, with some stores choosing not to stock the boxed version. Even so, industry analysts believe the lack of a physical disc will have little impact on GTA 6's commercial success, with launch sales still expected to reach record-breaking levels.

Although digital gaming continues to shape the future of the industry, the latest sales figures prove there is still strong demand for boxed games among collectors and console players. Whether this year's growth represents a one-time anomaly or the beginning of a broader trend remains uncertain, but for now, physical games have achieved something many believed impossible—a year of growth after 17 consecutive years of decline.