With news yesterday that PlayStation will no longer be offering physical games from January 2028 and Xbox presumably doing the same with their next console, Project Helix, which is scheduled…
With news yesterday that PlayStation will no longer be offering physical games from January 2028 and Xbox presumably doing the same with their next console, Project Helix, which is scheduled for late next year, many have been wondering what Nintendo will do. VGC caught up with Circana senior director and video game industry advisor Mat Piscatella who said that it was inevitable that Sony and presumably Microsoft will abandon physical games as “sales of new physical video games have fallen every year since the late 2000s.”
When it comes to Nintendo, Mat Piscatella said it all remains up in the air, but the firm has held a “very strong share” of physical software with the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 and that retail has “leaned into Nintendo support more and more” meaning he doesn’t expect physical Nintendo games to go anywhere soon. Here’s what he said:
“Sales of new physical video games have fallen every year since the late 2000s. You may have seen the chart I posted over on Bluesky that has the US data for 12 months ending May. The US physical market has recently seen the slightest growth because of Nintendo Switch 2, but that won’t last.
“My gut says Nintendo does what Nintendo wants to do, and I don’t see them changing anything in their plans based on what Sony or Microsoft do on anything, really,” he explained. “Nintendo is going to be Nintendo, for better and/or worse.
“Retail has already leaned into Nintendo support more and more over the past few years (Nintendo also holds very strong share of physical software and hardware sales since the launch of Switch 2 in particular), so this could continue to increase, sure.
This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2: Rhythm Heaven Groove – Tune in and groove with the latest game in the Rhythm…
This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following content:
Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2:
Rhythm Heaven Groove – Tune in and groove with the latest game in the Rhythm Heaven series! Time your button presses to the beat across a splashy collection of games that will challenge your rhythm. Catch flying veggies, bounce fruit off your biceps, swing sledgehammers and more – all while feasting your ears on catchy original music! Get into the groove solo, or team up with up to three friends around a single system to stir up a chaotic cadence in multiplayer games. Bounce to the beat in the Rhythm Heaven Groove game – available today on the Nintendo Switch system and also playable on Nintendo Switch 2. A free demo is also available now on Nintendo eShop!
Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains – Step into the Star Wars galaxy with a bold new twist on MONOPOLY! Assemble your team, build a roster of iconic Star Wars characters, and battle with your friends and family for control of the galaxy as you move across storied planets and locations. Choose from a wide array of Star Wars heroes and villains, each with their own abilities. Whether you’re teaming up with Luke Skywalker or unleashing Darth Vader, every match is packed with team strategy, surprises, and classic Star Wars moments. No two battles unfold the same way, so the fate of your team is yours to shape! Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains is available now on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.
Digital Spotlight:
Like Shooting Stars – It’s almost Independence Day, so why not ignite the holiday fun this weekend with games for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch! Gather Mii characters of all stripes together and add some holiday flare to your island in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, streak across the skies with Fox McCloud and team in Star Fox, or leap into a cosmic adventure with Mario in Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2. Whether you’re relaxing at home or out with family and friends, you can add some colorful fun this weekend with Nintendo.
Pre-orders:
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered modernizes the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay. Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before to stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the land. Journey through the rich world of Tamriel and battle across the planes of Oblivion where handcrafted details have been meticulously recreated. From the noble warrior to the sinister assassin, wizened sorcerer, or scrappy blacksmith, forge your path and play the way you want. Experience everything Oblivion has to offer with previously released story expansions Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, and additional downloadable content included. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered launches on Nintendo Switch 2 Aug. 11. Pre-order is available now on Nintendo eShop.
Nintendo Music:
Find the Beat – If the launch of Rhythm Heaven Groove is music to your ears, then you can keep bopping along with a Special Release of some of the game’s music tracks on Nintendo Music! Tap your foot along to snappy original tracks before you put your tempo to the test in the game! For more info, visit: https://www.nintendo.com/us/switch/online/nintendo-switch-online/nintendo-music/.
Home Is Where the Harmony Is – The Happy Home Paradise paid DLC brought new tracks to the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game, and now they’ve packed their bags and moved onto Nintendo Music! Set the mood at your personal pad with tracks including “Resort (Day),” “Paradise Planning,” “Celebration Party” and more.
Tracks that Keep on Spinning – Level up your next ride by queueing up the freshly-added Free Roam with Mario Kart DS and Free Roam with Mario Kart Wii playlists, featuring tracks from the Mario Kart World game. Liven up your drive with tracks like “Tick-Tock Clock (Mario Kart DS),” “Coconut Mall (Mario Kart Wii)” and more, no matter where the road takes you!
Activities:
Mario Kart World – Knockout Tour Rallies – Two new Knockout Tour rallies have been added to the Mario Kart World game as a free update! Race the Drill Rally and Boomerang Rally now, with more coming in the future. Plus, you can now add stickers you’ve collected to your photos!
Tetris 99 55th MAXIMUS CUP – Team Star Fox is boosting onto the Tetris 99 game for its 55th MAXIMUS CUP event! Nintendo Switch Online members playing the Tetris 99 online mode during the event period can collect 100 event points to unlock a new in-game theme featuring art, music and Tetrimino designs inspired by the Star Fox game for the Nintendo Switch 2 system. The Tetris 99 55th MAXIMUS CUP event will run 12 a.m. PT on July 10 to 11:59 p.m. PT on July 13.
Play It Loud With Nintendo Classics! – For a limited time, you can get a free bonus month of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack when you purchase or redeem a 12-month individual or family membership! Current Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can also take advantage of this offer. Act fast – this offer ends July 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT. For more information, visit https://www.nintendo.com/us/online/nintendo-switch-online/expansion-pack-extra-month-free/.
Nintendo eShop sales on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2:
Save on Select Digital Games with the Summer Sale – From now through July 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can keep it cool with a splash of deals on select digital games and DLC for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch systems! Shop on Nintendo.com or your device to purchase and download games so you can start playing them right away. For more information and to view the full list of games, check out this page: https://www.nintendo.com/store/sales-and-deals.
Also new this week on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch 2:
