While theXbox Series X|Sisn’t selling as badly as the Wii U, it’s clear from reports that it’ll be tough if it even matches the total lifetime sales of the Xbox One, but that’s where the Next-Gen Xbox comes into play. Just last week, Xbox announced its partnership with AMD regarding the next generation of Xbox, both in the living room and in your hands. It looks like theNext-Gen Xbox will be more akin to a PC than a console, not being limited to one storefront or a single device.
Microsoft aims to make Windows the number one platform for gaming,a risky move for Xbox, but there is one big question in the minds of many fans.What about physical games? With everything going on in the physical games department, it’s unlikely that the Next-Gen Xbox will include a disc drive. Microsoft should take note of PlayStation by releasing a standalone disc drive to make customers happy.
The Next-Gen Xbox Looks Promising, But There’s One Glaring Issue
What’s Going To Happen To Your Physical Games?
The Next-Gen Xbox is really exciting and could change gaming forever, no doubt about it, but we’ve seen throughout 2025 the route Microsoft’s likely going to take. It’sthe end of an era for Xbox physical games, as not one Xbox first-party title has a proper physical release this year, except possiblyTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, which isn’t out yet.Ninja Gaiden 4,The Outer Worlds 2, andGears of War: Reloadedwon’t have a proper physical release on Xbox, with the full game on the disc.
I myself play most of my Xbox 360 titles on the Series X through physical discs, and I don’t want to needlessly buy the games again digitally just to play them.
It’s happening so frequently, and evenmany third-party games are skipping physical Xbox releases, such asNinja Gaiden: Ragebound. The majority of Xbox gamers are digital-first, and it’s completely understandable why Xbox physical collectors fear that the Next-Gen console won’t have a disc drive, as that’ll likely be the case.
I myself play most of my Xbox 360 titles on the Series X through physical discs, and I don’t want to needlessly repurchase the games digitally to play them. That’s even assuming they’re still available to buy digitally, as many games, such asBatman: Arkham Origins,Mortal Kombat 9,King Kong, andSilent Hill: Downpour, have been removed from the store,meaning you must use the physical disc. Many Xbox users are likely to be upset, but there is a way Xbox can address this issue.
Xbox Should Release An Attachable Disc Drive Like PS5
Those Physical Games Need To Live On
When the PlayStation 5 Pro was announced, it received major criticism, with a significant sticking point being its lack of a built-in disc drive. You had to buy a standalone disc drive to put into the system, and while people hated this aspect of thePS5 Pro, its sales told a different story. When I went to buy a PS5 Pro, I was able to get the system with no problem, butI had a hell of a time finding a PS5 disc drive in stock.
People want the ability to use discs on their disc-free console, as many likely have a large collection of physical PS4 or PS5 games, and it’s essential to continue using them. Xbox should follow suit. Although therelikely won’t be any new physical Xbox releases for Next-Gen, Xbox users need to continue using their existing physical library moving forward.
Xbox has consistently been the most consumer-friendly among the big three console makers, offering free cloud saves, free Next-Gen upgrades, Xbox Play Anywhere, backward compatibility, and providing free digital copies of games likeForza Horizon 4andGears of War: Reloaded. It’s the right move forXboxto release a standalone disc drive, allowing Xbox users to continue playing their physical library and ultimately making them happy.
