The analysis company Alinea Analytics has released new estimates regarding the best-selling PlayStation games of 2026. The numbers not only highlight which blockbusters are currently performing well but also provide insights into Sony’s decision to move away from physical media.
Alinea Analytics has compiled sales estimates for PS5 and PS4 games, breaking down how many copies were sold physically versus digitally. This analysis focuses solely on sold units, excluding unsold inventory from retailers.
Football and Horror at the Top of PlayStation Charts
Firstly, the numbers are unofficial. However, it is hardly surprising that “EA Sports FC 26” stands as the best-selling PlayStation game in the first half of the year. Alinea cites the ongoing World Cup fervor and accompanying marketing as key driving factors.
Interestingly, 78% of the 5.1 million sales are attributed to the PS5 version, with the remaining sales belonging to the PS4. Approximately 12% of PlayStation sales were physical copies, demonstrating a decline in the overall market share for discs, especially considering the digital version is currently available at 15.99 Euros, compared to the disc version priced at 24.99 Euros.
Coming in second place, “Resident Evil Requiem” was released at the end of February and has sold around 3.5 million copies on the PS5, with nearly 28% sold as discs. This title has already generated $250 million in gross revenue on PlayStation.
Other notable titles include:
- Arc Raiders: 2.1 million PS5 copies, exclusively digital. Of these, 1.6 million were sold within the first three months.
- 007 First Light: 2 million copies sold on the PS5 in just over two months, with about 21% being physical copies.
- Crimson Desert: 1.9 million PS5 sales since its launch in March, with 19.9% sold physically.
- Forza Horizon 5: This year saw an additional 1.2 million copies sold, bringing the total to 6.2 million on the PS5. The game is only available in the PlayStation Store.
- Ghost of Yotei: Since its launch in October 2025, an additional 1.2 million copies were sold this year. With 35.4%, it boasts the highest physical sales percentage on the list.
The graphics released by Alinea vividly illustrate the extent of disc sales:
What the Numbers Reveal About Sony’s Exit from Discs
Alinea points out that titles with a high percentage of physical sales tend to be long-lasting and easily resold. These catalog sales contribute significantly to overall revenues over the years.
It appears that one reason for the move away from discs is that companies like Sony Interactive Entertainment want to maintain control over the market. Each physical disc can be traded and resold, which diverts revenue from Sony and the publishers to resellers.
Moreover, companies like Capcom promote a “flywheel-driven business model,” focusing on long-term and catalog-based sales. Sony seems to pursue a similar strategy for its store. However, a former PlayStation executive doubts that the used market played a significant role in these considerations.
What Role Does Price Control Play?
Besides eliminating the used market, Alinea believes price control is another key factor. Physical prices are subject to fluctuations based on supply and demand, which often undercuts digital store prices. Without physical discs, Sony and publishers could dictate initial pricing, how long titles hold their price, and when discounts occur.
In the case of “GTA 6”, there are plans for packages containing codes instead of discs, making it crucial to see how this will impact price control in practice.
Alinea acknowledges that many players will likely criticize Sony’s move but may not change their buying habits significantly. Similar discussions have occurred regarding live-service models, rising full-price games, and always-online requirements.
“When both major console platforms head in the same direction, and with Steam as another purely digital platform (even though more open), the concept of ‘voting with your wallet’ loses its meaning,” Alinea states, wrapped in a commentary featuring James Hetfield performing “Sad but True”.
However, many players have already made their choice. According to Mat Piscatella from Circana, in 2025, 49% of PS5 buyers in the United States chose the purely digital model. Among Xbox Series buyers, this number rose to 66%, highlighting the influence of the all-digital Xbox Series S.
For the PS5, it is essential to note that 13% of sales were from the PS5 Pro, which is shipped without a disc drive. This can be upgraded, similar to the Slim model, potentially softening the initially reported share of digital PS5 models.
