Sony to Phase Out Physical PlayStation Discs by 2028

The transition reflects a broader shift in consumer habits, as digital downloads now dominate the market. According to Sony’s fiscal year 2025 fourth-quarter results, digital purchases accounted for 85% of full-game software sales on PS4 and PS5 platforms. The company maintains that this strategy aligns with the current preferences of its user base, effectively phasing out a medium that has steadily lost ground to instantaneous online access.

This move mirrors the declining footprint of brick-and-mortar retailers, with GameStop shuttering more than 1,300 locations over the past two fiscal years. Despite the convenience of digital storefronts, the shift remains contentious among collectors who prioritize tangible ownership, a tension recently highlighted by fan backlash regarding titles that include only download codes in physical packaging. Alongside this transition, Sony confirmed plans to shutter the PlayStation Store on legacy hardware, beginning with select markets for the PlayStation 3 this year, followed by a global closure of PS3 and PlayStation Vita storefronts next year.