Xbox Is (Kinda) Undoing The Damage For Some Of Its Upcoming Games For Physical Releases

The state of physical games continue to plummet across all sectors. Especially in retail, you can see this first-hand as stores like Best Buy outright purge sections from its brick & mortar locations. Specifically for Xbox, this has become the most apparent as it already shuttered its retail division last year. Additionally, titles like Avowed & Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are also shipping physically with no tangible disc in the box.

And although PlayStation is ramping up similar practices for its titles, it does not compare to the fate lying ahead for Xbox as Microsoft is further embracing the digital future ahead. Earlier in June, it was revealed that Xbox is shipping select titles for its 2025 lineup with no physical game. Although you can pick up the Deluxe Edition at physical retailers, games like Ninja Gaiden 4 & The Outer Worlds 2 will only include a full download code.

Even more, a remake for its hallmark Gears of War is not even being printed physically for Xbox. However, there has been a surprising update discovered recently. On X from Video Games Plus, the Canadian retail revealed that both Ninja Gaiden 4 as well as The Outer Worlds 2 will now be releasing with a disc in the box. This comes after the recent price adjustment for its first-party titles.

Previously, Video Games Plus stated that due to there being no physical copy in the packaging – it would not carry these titles due to that decision. “VGP will not be carrying the Xbox Deluxe versions,” it said in June 2025. Noted, although both games are now available via the distributor, there is a caveat. Both titles are receiving a boot disc as an alternative to the digital code.

Elsewhere recently, Limited Run Games via ESRB revealed to be making Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II physically for Xbox as well as PlayStation. In a previous statement, the distributor told Rectify Gaming it will collaborate on the matter if there is a demand for it concerning Xbox first-party. “If we make an Xbox physical it’s dependent on demand as the physical Xbox […] We plan to continue support as long as there’s viable demand.” You can read the full report by heading here.

Are you surprised by this recent change by Microsoft?