It doesn't seem like Nintendo plans to drop cartridges anytime soon, as the Switch 2 maker reports 38.5% of its sales are physical

Date:
Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:03:46 +0000

Description:
While Sony commits to ending the production of game discs, Nintendo has reported that almost 40% of its software sales are physical.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Nintendo has reported that
61.5% of its sales between March 30 and June 30, 2026, were digital purchases This means 38.5% were physical sales Digital sales also include other add-on software and downloadable content (DLC) While Sony commits to ending the production of game discs, Nintendo has reported that almost 40% of its software sales are physical.

That's according to Nintendo's latest financial report for the first quarter of fiscal year ending March 2027 , which confirms that between March 30 and June 30, 2026, 61.5% of Nintendo's sales were from digital purchases, meaning 38.5% came from physical sales. The Mario maker reports that in the previous quarter, it earned 132.7 billion yen from digital sales alone, a 90% year-on-year increase and a 2.2% increase in the proportion of digital sales compared to the same time last year. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

Software sales for the Switch 2 also increased by 9.2% year-on-year to 9.46 million units, and original Switch software increased by 38.6% year-on-year
to 33.81 million units.

However, Nintendo confirmed the 61.5% digital sales include other software, such as Switch Online subscriptions, Switch 2 Edition upgrades, download-only titles, and downloadable content (DLC) purchases, which would boost digital sales. It also doesn't include digital copies of Mario Kart World , that
would be bundled with a console. You may like Capcom says 'approximately 90%' of its sales are digital and isn't worried about the death of physical games Quote of the day by former Nintendo President Satoru Iawata: 'It will require many years and months for the majority of video game purchases to become digital' correctly predicting dominance of digital games today back in 2009 New report reveals the Nintendo Switch 2 is the second fastest-selling video game hardware in US history, as Xbox and PS5 unit sales struggle

Meanwhile, for physical units, net sales for software bundled with hardware are classified as hardware sales.

"As a result, although bundled software such as Mario Kart World is included in the number of software units sold, the corresponding revenue is not recognized as software sales or digital sales," Nintendo said. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Nevertheless, the ratio is significant, and 38.5% in physical sales suggests that Nintendo doesn't plan to abandon boxed games any time soon, unlike Sony.

The PlayStation company shared its plan to retire the production of game
discs by January 2028 last month, and has recently confirmed that it is "cautiously" moving forward with its decision despite the backlash (via IGN
).

Although some game companies are willing to fight to keep physical games
alive , Capcom has recently stated it's unlikely to be significantly impacted by the death of physical games, because 90% of its unit sales are digital . Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the
Follow button! The best gaming consoles All the best consoles of this generation

Read our full guide to the best gaming consoles 1. Best overall: PlayStation 5 Slim 2. Best budget: Xbox Series S 3. Best handheld: Nintendo Switch 2 4. Most powerful: PlayStation 5 Pro



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/it-doesnt-seem-like-nintendo-plans-to-drop-ca rtridges-anytime-soon-as-the-switch-2-maker-reports-38-5-percent-of-its-sales- come-are-physical


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)