Sony has made some serious waves after announcing that the company will no longer be making physical copies of games after 2028, and it's one of several reasons why gamers are turning their backs on PS5 and instead embrace the Switch 2. When it comes to consoles, Sony is the favorite of millions of gamers, but the tide seems to be turning a bit. As the company struggles to fully deliver on the once promising PS5 era, gamers are looking for other options.
The future looks bleak for physical media lovers. While services like Spotify have disrupted CD and vinyl sales, other platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime have made the thought of buying a DVD seem like an archaic act. Now, Sony has taken another big step with video games. The announcement that Sony will stop making physical games after 2028 has caused controversy. This is specifically for new games, but it still stings deeply, and some gamers saw it as the last straw when it comes to Sony-made products.
It's not just the end of physical games that inspired longtime gamers to put aside their console-specific loyalties. The PS5 is almost six years old at this point, and many loyal users have seen this generation as a failure. What was expected to be the future of the console appears to be fruitless, with many citing the lack of AAA exclusives and multiple price hikes as other big reasons why they decided to ditch the PS5.
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Granted, there has also been a price increase for the Switch 2. However, it's still cheaper than the PS5 in general (plus it's portable). The fact that the PS5 Pro is now $900 after originally launching for $700 is mind boggling. A variety of factors have been cited as reasons for this price increase, such as a lack of RAM and supply issues, but it has proven to be too much for many once-Sony die-hards. Paying that much for a console that didn't release as many AAA exclusives as many expected made them explore other avenues.
The slow death of physical media isn't just Sony's problem, but the company seems determined to lead the way
Also, while Sony's decision to stop producing physical games for the next few years is concerning, it's certainly not shocking. Even Nintendo faced controversy over Switch 2 game cards. Instead of an actual disc, game key cards simply act as a license key. It's another troubling departure from physical media, but this route still allows players to own collectible boxes. It's obviously not as satisfying as a real disc, but it's better than no box.
One of the biggest games that can give up a disc is GTA 6. It's no secret that GTA 6 the release date will be a huge moment for the industry, but the lack of a disc for its pre-orders is leaving fans frustrated and confused. With the Standard Edition, it costs $80 and GTA 6 The Ultimate Edition costs $100, and many gamers who grew up with the discs are upset that they're paying so much when they end up not actually owning anything.
Although both Standard and Ultimate versions GTA 6 both are discless, the latter contains exclusive content that preserves features like in-game shops, cosmetics, and even some paywall side missions.
The Switch 2 library keeps growing, and it's getting harder to turn down
It's important to note that while the PS5 exclusive lineup has been slow to get off the ground, this generation hasn't been completely empty. There have been some strong Sony exclusive games since the console's launch, but as the Switch 2 library expands beyond Nintendo's reach, it's understandable why so many gamers would want to choose it over the PS5.
The biggest PS5 exclusive since the console launched
- Astro game room
- Soul of Demons remake
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Return
- Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Astro Bot
- Death Stranding 2
- Ghost of Yotei
- Saros
There are even more games on the way, which is at least good news for those who plan to stay loyal to the Sony ecosystem. Marvel's WolverineThe release date is scheduled for the busy gaming calendar of September 2026 and upcoming projects like God of War Laufey and Naughty Dog's Intergalactic: The Heretical Prophet expected to be strong additions to the lineup. However, it still might not be enough to win back the players who opted for the Switch 2.
Switch 2 isn't the only change gamers have made. Instead of the Switch 2, others ventured into the world of computer games. While storefronts like Steam run on digital games, the library is significantly larger than what the PS5 exclusive list currently offers.
With the Switch 2 being able to run games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Resident Evil Requiemthere are expectations that future heavy hitters like GTA 6 and The Witcher 4 he will be able to run on it. Nintendo's console hardware is on par with the Xbox Series S, so something like a GTA 6 A Switch 2 version is definitely not impossible. Big third-party games may not be the answer to ex-PS5 users' exclusive woes, but it's still a solid library that will continue to grow.
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There are already plenty of leaks and rumors about the PS6, with some even claiming that the next-gen console will cost more than the Steam Machine. For those who haven't seen the eye-watering price tag, the Steam Machine costs $1,049 for just the base model. If the PS6 is over $1,000 and has no physical release of the game, there's a good chance that even more gamers will skip out on buying the console altogether.
