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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →No: Xbox has not said its strategy depends on abandoning physical games. In February 2024, Phil Spencer said Xbox shipped games physically and digitally and that its strategy did not hinge on an all-digital shift. That was not a promise that every future Xbox will have a disc drive or every game will get a disc edition. In August 2026, Xbox also announced digital entitlements for supported Xbox One and Xbox Series X discs, while saying those discs would continue to work.
What Phil Spencer said about physical Xbox games
In a February 20, 2024 interview reported by GameSpot, Microsoft Gaming head Phil Spencer said: “We ship games physically and digitally, and we’re really just following what the customers are doing. And I think our job in running Xbox is to deliver on the things that a majority of the customers want. And right now, a majority of our customers are buying games digitally.”
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Silent Hill f: Day One Edition - Xbox Series X | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced- Xbox Series X | $54.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER TACTICAL EDITION – XSX | $33.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Resident Evil Requiem Amazon Exclusive Edition - Xbox Series X | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Spencer also said Xbox was “supportive of physical media,” but did not need to prioritize it beyond customer demand. As Insider Gaming reported from the same interview, he said: “And getting rid of physical, that’s not a strategic thing for us.” His point was that Xbox’s strategy did not depend on moving everyone to digital; it was not a guarantee about every future console or release.
What the statement does not guarantee
Supporting physical games is different from putting an optical drive in every console. Spencer discussed customer demand and the shrinking number of manufacturers making disc drives, as well as their cost. Xbox hardware models differ, so check the exact model listing for an optical drive if you want to use discs. A digital-only model cannot read them; Windows Central’s 2025 reporting also said Microsoft had not offered an external USB disc-drive attachment for its consoles. Do not assume a PC disc drive will work as an Xbox console add-on.
#1 Best Overall
- Day One Edition Bonuses: White Sailor School Uniform, Omamori: Peony, and Item Pack
- In 1960s Japan, Shimizu Hinako's secluded town of Ebisugaoka is consumed by a sudden fog, transforming her home into a haunting nightmare
- Hinako must navigate the twisted paths of Ebisugaoka, solving complex puzzles and confronting grotesque monsters to survive
- Embrace the beauty hidden within terror, or succumb to the madness that lies ahead
- Discover a new chapter in the SILENT HILL series, blending psychological horror with a haunting Japanese setting
Nor does the company’s position mean that every new game will be sold physically. Availability depends on the game and publisher, and physical Xbox releases have become less common at traditional retailers, according to Windows Central. The outlet quoted Limited Run Games founder Josh Fairhurst saying some major Xbox physical releases “rarely top 2,000 copies sold.” That is his account of selected releases—not an official Xbox figure or a market-wide sales average. The cited sources establish no comprehensive Xbox-wide physical-sales total or physical-versus-digital share.
What Xbox’s 2026 disc feature means
On August 26, 2026, Xbox Wire published Jason Ronald’s announcement, “Your Discs. Now Also Digital.” Xbox said most Xbox One and Xbox Series X disc-based games support a feature that lets a player insert an eligible disc and launch the game to claim a digital entitlement. The initial rollout covered “thousands of titles,” but Xbox said not every title would be available at launch.
Rank #2
- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE- Strike fear in your foes as you board and sink enemy vessels as Edward Kenway, captain of the Jackdaw. Whether blending into crowds or leading daring assaults, switch between silent takedowns and fierce brawls as you effortlessly wield swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade. With a cast of historical pirate legends at your side, defy empires amidst the age-old conflict opposing Assassins and Templars.
- A CLASSIC REBUILT FOR AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE- Combat has been rebuilt for more dynamic encounters, emphasizing parries and takedowns, while stealth and parkour have been improved for smoother escapes and assassinations. Continuously upgrade the Jackdaw to face powerful enemy ships with enhanced naval mechanics featuring new alternate fire modes. Quality-of-life additions also address previous pain points, ensuring your experience is improved.
- THE CARIBBEAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE- Whether you’re sailing the open seas or journeying across untamed lands, discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine. Take in sweeping vistas as you brave stormy waters, dive into underwater shipwrecks, or push through dense tropical jungles. Enhanced by features such as Dolby Atmos and ray tracing, every scene feels more immersive, bringing the world’s beauty to life.
- EXPANDING EDWARD’S ADVENTURE- Building on top of the original story, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced introduces exclusive new content. Familiar faces will return, with new storylines dedicated to fan-favorite characters such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Unexpected allies will also cross your path, as three officers join you on your journey as part of the main narrative. More surprises await, such as new sea shanties, pets, a photo mode, and more.
Ronald wrote that after claiming the entitlement, players could use digital benefits such as Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming where supported, while “your physical disc continues to work exactly as it always has.” The feature is additional support for eligible discs; it does not make every disc eligible, replace the disc, or establish that every future Xbox will include a drive. Xbox said Insider testing was due to begin August 31, 2026. Check Xbox’s current title list or feature guidance before assuming a particular disc qualifies.
Can Xbox Series S play discs?
No. Xbox Series S is a digital-only console and cannot read physical game discs. If playing an existing disc library matters, verify that the specific Xbox model you are considering has an optical drive. Xbox Series X models are not all alike, so do not rely on the Series X name alone—check the product listing.
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- The story, characters, voice acting, gameplay, and music that made the original a sensation return, remade for modern consoles
- The story, characters, voice acting, gameplay, and music that made the original a sensation return, remade for modern consoles
- Incredible new graphics bring the wild growth of the jungles, forests, and swamps to life in exquisite detail
- Characters are rendered in fine detail so that facial wrinkles, pores, & separate eye & iris movements are visible, allowing for rich animations
- Any injuries to his actual body will leave their mark permanently, telling a story of each player's unique journey
Can you still buy Xbox games on disc?
Some Xbox games are available in physical editions, but availability varies by title, publisher, and retailer. Check whether the exact game has a disc edition before buying a console for it; Xbox’s continued support for discs does not guarantee a physical release for every game. If you are choosing a console for physical games, check three things: whether it has a disc drive, whether it can play your existing discs, and whether the specific game you want was released on disc.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Amazon Exclusive - 2 sided poster included in every game!
- Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst who is introverted and easily scared, representing a new type of character for the Resident Evil series. Grace will experience horror from the same perspective as the player as she learns to overcome her fears throughout the course of the story.
- For the first time ever in Resident Evil history, players will be able to freely switch between both first- and third-person perspectives throughout the game.
- An Anniversary to Remember: With March 2026 marking the Resident Evil series’ 30-year anniversary, Resident Evil Requiem marks its own milestone in the franchise.
- Pre-orders for Resident Evil Requiem are now open, with the bonus of Grace’s costume: Apocalypse. Please note that the picture weapon does not come with the costume, but it can be obtained in-game.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
