According to Circana, the Nintendo Switch 2 contributed to a rise in physical game spending in the U.S., marking the first increase since 2009

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The release of the Nintendo Switch 2 has led to the first rise in U.S. spending on physical video games since 2009. This information comes from Mat Piscatella, a senior director at Circana, who shared insights on BlueSky. The data shows a 3% increase in spending over the year ending in May 2026, amounting to $1.6 billion. The previous growth year was 2009, with the physical market then valued at $11.5 billion.

Piscatella explained that the reduction in physical game sales is due to most sales now being digital, and noted that the second-hand market plays a minimal role. He further discussed the trend with GamesIndustry.biz, attributing the current rise in physical sales to the launch of the Switch 2. Sales of physical games for Nintendo's platforms saw an approximate 26% increase from the previous year, although they remain lower compared to the period ending May 2024.

Despite these increases, Piscatella mentioned that this surge could be temporary, as other gaming ecosystems are experiencing double-digit declines. He speculated that this situation might stabilize when console makers stop producing units with physical drives.

Additionally, Piscatella mentioned in another BlueSky post that in 2026, 30 games have sold over 1,000 copies in physical format, such as Just Dance 2026, Split Fiction, and Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. This coincides with the announcement that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be available only as a download upon its release on November 20, with physical copies merely containing download codes.

The Nintendo Switch 2 hit the market in June 2025 and had sold 19.86 million units globally by March 2026. In the U.S., it broke records, selling over 1.1 million units in its debut week. To meet the rising demand, Nintendo plans a 20% increase in production for the Switch 2, as reported in May.