Europe continues to drive strong demand for physical media, according to GSD data reported by The Game Business. This retail preference stands in contrast to Sony’s stated corporate strategy to phase out physical PlayStation game production entirely by January 2028.
European Buyers Choose Discs for Marvel’s Wolverine
Physical sales accounted for 51 percent of all European sales for Marvel’s Wolverine on the PS5. The regional numbers show a distinct appetite for retail copies that outpaces the global average. Across the worldwide market, physical copies of the title represent 35 percent of total sales. Ampere Analysis estimates that the game reached 2.16 million total units sold through a combination of digital distribution and retail channels.
The numbers indicate that European consumers maintain a strong connection to physical ownership. Industry analyst Joost van Dreunen noted that the desire to collect physical game items remains an important factor for a significant portion of the audience, even as the broader industry pivots toward digital ecosystems.
Retail Strength Across Other Major Releases
Marvel’s Wolverine is not an isolated case within the European market. Data from Ampere Analysis shows that physical copies accounted for 45 percent of sales for Silent Hill: Townfall. Retail units made up 36 percent of sales for The Blood of Dawnwalker and 30 percent for Onimusha: Way of the Sword.
Within the United Kingdom specifically, Marvel’s Wolverine recorded the strongest physical PlayStation launch of 2026. Only Resident Evil Requiem and 007 First Light outperformed it when looking at the wider retail market.
The Road to January 2028
Sony’s plan to end physical game production by January 2028 creates a widening gap between corporate distribution goals and regional consumer habits. While digital storefronts offer convenience, the continued high performance of retail software in Europe highlights persistent demand for optical media and physical boxes among collectors and retail shoppers.
