Spending on Physical Video Games Resumes Growth in the USA: Thanks to the Switch 2

The video game world is increasingly focusing on digital distribution of games, with physical copies becoming rarer. However, a new study has highlighted a slight trend reversal over the past few months.

In the United States, after a consistent decline that began in 2009, spending on physical games has resumed growth, albeit marginally. The main cause has been the Nintendo Switch 2, a console grappling with the effects of the memory crisis that has led to a price increase.

Considering all platforms, the total revenues from the sale of physical games amounted to 1.6 billion dollars, marking a 3% increase compared to the previous 12 months (the reference period is June 2025 - May 2026).

According to Mat Piscatella, senior director and video game industry analyst at Circana, this is a temporary situation and not a true trend reversal. The growth, referring only to the American market, is linked to the launch of the Switch 2, while other platforms continue to show double-digit declines.

The situation that has arisen is therefore described as a 'temporary anomaly'. For Piscatella, the decline will continue until manufacturers simply abandon physical support and focus exclusively on digital distribution. Data from the coming months will clarify whether the trend is set to continue or if, as the analyst noted, it is merely an anomaly due to the launch of the Switch 2.