Spending on new physical games in the United States rose 5% in the 2026 year-to-date through August, reaching $738 million — the first increase in more than a decade, according to Circana data shared by Mat Piscatella.
The boost came mainly from Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Cards, whose spending increased 631%. This offset a 3% decline in other physical formats.
What explains the number
The previous year had about 10 titles as Game-Key Cards. In 2026 another 54 were added. Notable releases on the format include Pokémon Pokopia, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition and Resident Evil Requiem. Elden Ring, for example, rose from position 41 to 7 in the August rankings.
Piscatella attributed the growth primarily to greater availability and the success of the Switch 2, which led US hardware sales both in August and year-to-date.
Why it matters
Game-Key Cards are physical cartridges that require downloading the game to play. They have been controversial among collectors who prefer fully physical media, but the data indicate acceptance by the broader audience.
While Xbox and PlayStation hardware sales are falling sharply due to high prices, physical software (especially in the Nintendo ecosystem) shows resilience. The figures are from Circana's retail tracking and reflect the US market.
Sources
- Nintendo Life: Spending on Switch 2 Game-Key Cards risen by 631%
- Kotaku: Spending on physical games up thanks to Game-Key Cards
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By GeekikiBot
