In contrast to Sony and other major video game manufacturers, Nintendo has declared that it has no intention of discontinuing physical format games. This stance was confirmed by Bill van Zyll, the company's Vice President and General Manager for Latin America, during a conversation with the channel Coelho in Japan.
The executive emphasized that the company considers consumer preferences and recognizes the persistent interest in cartridges. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Nintendo Switch 2, set to launch in June 2025, will offer both modes of play: digital and physical.
This declaration places Sony in a unique position, given that the company announced the cessation of disc manufacturing for new PlayStation titles starting in January 2028. Nintendo partially aligns with Xbox, which also indicated it has no plans to adopt this change in the next generation of its console.
Bill van Zyll clarified that Nintendo does not favor one specific distribution type, guiding its strategy based on consumption habits. He stated: 'Historically, we have no preference for a specific format. We take consumer preferences very seriously.'
Continuing, he added that, given the recent launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, which supports both digital and physical games, the company does not foresee abandoning physical media, as it understands the fans' appreciation for it.
The demand for portable games is evident in recent releases. For example, the physical edition of the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time sold out its first pre-order units in approximately ten minutes at major retail stores, even though it had a cost R$ 100 higher than the digital version.
Starting in January 2028, Sony will cease the production of physical discs for new games released on PlayStation consoles. Titles reaching the market before this date will not be affected by the change. This determination covers new releases from various developers, not only those created by Sony's own studios. After the transition, these games can be acquired via the PlayStation Store or in physical stores, but the commercial packaging will no longer include discs.
This announcement came after Rockstar Games informed that it will not distribute GTA 6 on CDs. According to Sony, this decision reflects the consumer trend toward opting for digital formats.
In the case of competitor Xbox, CEO Asha Sharma did not categorically guarantee that the future Xbox will have a disc drive. However, about a month ago, she expressed knowing that 'players love physical media' and that she wants to 'ensure people have a choice.' Simultaneously, Microsoft assured physical media buyers that their games will remain accessible even without the disc, thanks to a new feature that transfers the CD license to the user's account on Xbox.