Report shows 34% of physical PS5 games and 50% of Xbox Series X games do not work fully without a download first
A report from Does it Play reveals that a significant portion of physical game copies for current-generation consoles cannot be played fully without downloading additional content. According to the analysis, 34% of physical PS5 games and 50% of Xbox Series X games require downloads before they can be played, echoing a trend long familiar to PC gamers who have faced download-dependent releases for years.
The report highlights a growing gap between the promise of physical media ownership and the reality of modern game delivery. As consoles increasingly rely on mandatory software patches and substantial additional content beyond what’s stored on the disc itself, the practical utility of owning physical copies continues to diminish. This trend suggests that console gaming is converging toward the download-centric distribution model that has dominated PC gaming.
The findings arrive amid news that Sony plans to end physical game disc production entirely by 2028, marking a symbolic shift in the industry’s approach to software distribution. As physical media manufacturing winds down, the requirement for internet connectivity and supplementary downloads will likely become standard for console gaming, fundamentally altering how players experience ownership and access to their games.