Players Pivot to Switch 2 as Sony Ends PS5 Physical Discs After 2028

Sony has stirred up major backlash after announcing that it will stop producing physical game discs after 2028, and the decision is being framed by players as yet another nail in the coffin for the PS5 era. With Sony still struggling to fully deliver on the promise of this generation, some longtime PlayStation fans say they’re done waiting—and are looking at the Switch 2 as a more appealing destination.

The mood around physical media has been sliding for years. Music moved on early as streaming services dented CD and vinyl sales, while video viewing shifted toward subscription platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime—making the idea of buying a DVD feel dated to many. Sony’s move takes that same direction and applies it to games, with the company saying it will stop making physical copies for new releases after 2028. Even though the policy is aimed at future titles, it’s still hitting hard, and for some players it’s being treated as the last straw for products tied to Sony.

To be clear, disc-based PlayStation games won’t vanish immediately—releases will continue through 2028. However, Sony is already reducing its production footprint for physical copies as the end date approaches.

After Sony’s Rocky Few Years and the Push Away From Discs, Players Are Looking More Closely at the Switch 2

This isn’t only about discs disappearing. It’s also about loyalty breaking down as players reassess what they’re getting from the PS5. The console has been on the market for nearly six years, and many users describe the generation as a disappointment. Instead of seeing the PS5 as a clear next step, a lot of people point to a thin run of AAA exclusives along with multiple price hikes as reasons they’ve decided to step away.

To be fair, the Switch 2 hasn’t escaped price pressure either. Still, the handheld is generally positioned as cheaper than the PS5, and its portability is a major advantage. For many former Sony loyalists, the real shock has been the PS5 Pro’s pricing—now listed at $900 after launching at $700. Reasons like RAM shortages and supply constraints have been cited for those increases, but the end result is the same: players are less willing to keep paying into a system that, in their view, isn’t delivering the AAA exclusive lineup they expected.

Physical Media Fatigue Isn’t Unique to Sony, but Sony’s Move Signals It’s Taking the Lead

Sony’s decision is upsetting, but it also doesn’t feel surprising to players. Even Nintendo has drawn criticism around how the Switch 2 handles ownership with “Game-Key Cards.” Rather than using a traditional disc, those cards function as license keys. It’s still a step away from physical media, but at least it keeps the idea of a boxed product for collectors—just not in the same satisfying form as a playable disc.

One of the most talked-about upcoming examples of disc-less distribution is GTA 6. Fans are expecting the release to be a major industry moment, yet the lack of discs for pre-orders has left people frustrated. With the Standard Edition priced at $80 and the Ultimate Edition at $100, longtime disc buyers are questioning how they’re supposed to feel good about paying top dollar for a product that doesn’t leave them with anything tangible to hold.

Both editions of GTA 6 are disc-less, but the Ultimate package adds exclusive extras that lock features behind a pay boundary—covering items such as in-game shops, cosmetics, and even some side missions.

The Switch 2’s Growing Library Is Making It Harder to Ignore

It’s worth noting that the PS5 generation hasn’t been completely devoid of standout titles. There have been several strong Sony exclusives since launch. Still, as the Switch 2’s catalog expands beyond Nintendo’s usual reach, more players are choosing it over the PS5—especially when the alternative feels like a slow trickle of system-defining games.

The Biggest PS5 Exclusive Since Launch

• Astro’s Playroom
• Demon’s Souls remake
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Returnal
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• Astro Bot
• Death Stranding 2
• Ghost of Yotei
• Saros

There are also more projects coming for players who want to stick with Sony. Marvel’s Wolverine is reportedly set for the busy September 2026 window, while other expected additions include God of War Laufey and Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Even so, that may not be enough to win back the audience that’s already moved toward the Switch 2.

Switch 2 adoption isn’t the only shift happening. Some former PS5 owners are also turning toward PC gaming. Even though stores such as Steam are built around digital-only distribution, the current library available there is described as far broader than the PS5’s exclusive roster.

Because the Switch 2 can handle games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Resident Evil Requiem, expectations are building that it could support larger releases in the future—including GTA 6 and The Witcher 4. The Switch 2’s hardware is said to land in the neighborhood of the Xbox Series S, which makes the idea of a GTA 6 Switch 2 version seem less far-fetched. While major third-party titles might not solve every concern ex-PS5 players have about exclusive content, the overall lineup is still positioned as solid—and likely to keep growing.

Meanwhile, rumors about a PS6 are already circulating, with some claims suggesting the next console could cost more than a Steam Machine. For reference, the Steam Machine is listed at $1,049 for the base model. If the PS6 price ends up above $1,000—and if it also arrives with no physical releases—there’s a serious chance that even more players will decide to skip the purchase altogether.