35% of Marvel's Wolverine sales were physical copies

According to data from analyst firm Ampere, reported by The Game Business, 35% of Marvel's Wolverine's worldwide launch sales were physical disc copies, versus 65% digital. In Europe, the physical share climbs to 51% according to GSD data. That's reignited the debate over Sony's plan to phase out PS5 discs.

Big differences by country

The European figure hides major local differences. Still according to GSD, roughly two-thirds of Wolverine's UK sales were digital, while in France it's the opposite: more than two-thirds of sales were physical. Over the same period, Ampere ranks Wolverine as the second best-selling PS5 game of September, with around 2.16 million units, just behind EA Sports FC 27's 4.96 million. Other September releases also show a notable physical share per Ampere: over 45% for Silent Hill: Townfall, 36% for Blood of the Dawnwalker, and 30% for Onimusha: Way of the Sword.

The numbers don't all line up

An earlier estimate from analytics firm Alinea put the physical share lower: around 22.9% by revenue (not unit count), out of an estimated 1.9 million sales in the first 3 days. That difference doesn't mean one figure is wrong: Alinea measures a revenue share at an earlier point in the launch window, while Ampere/GSD measure a unit share over a wider launch window. The two numbers measure slightly different things. Some outlets also present the 35% figure as a worldwide number, others as US-only: the exact scope isn't consistent everywhere.

Why it matters: Sony wants fewer PS5 discs

These numbers land as Sony announced this summer it will stop producing PS5 discs for any game releasing after January 2028, a decision that sparked real backlash among players attached to physical media. Sony said it plans to move forward "cautiously" on that plan. Analyst Joost van Dreunen commented on the data by saying players remain attached to physical versions: "people have a need to collect." Former PlayStation US boss Shawn Layden agrees: he sees dropping discs as risky, arguing that physical buyers may be "20%" of the market but a "super important" one, comparing them to comic book collectors who sometimes buy two copies of the same issue.

And the game itself?

Pathline published its full 42-trophy guide for Marvel's Wolverine right at its September 15, 2026 launch, no missable trophies, with detailed pointers for material crates, whisky bottles, and Nightmare Doors.

Sources

• Video Games Chronicle: 35% of Sony's Wolverine launch sales were the disc version, data suggests
• Push Square: Europe Shows Up for Physical Games, 51% of Wolverine's PS5 Sales for Disc Version

The bottom line

Physical copies account for roughly 35% of Marvel's Wolverine's worldwide launch sales per Ampere, and up to 51% in Europe per GSD, with very large country-by-country differences (France heavily physical, UK heavily digital). An earlier estimate from a different firm put the number lower, but it measures something else (revenue, not units) at an earlier point. The signal stays the same: disc is far from dead, which keeps fueling criticism of Sony's plan to stop producing them after January 2028.