The best games that never got a physical release

In the past, players would typically get the games they were looking forward to on disc for their consoles, but in recent years many AA and AAA titles have started to become digital only, meaning players can only buy them directly on their consoles, without the possibility of buying limited editions with steelbooks or generic physical versions.

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Whether players like it or not, some of the best games of recent years are titles that players can only enjoy digitally, and therefore these are the best games on various consoles that never had a physical release. The following games have never had physical copies in the West at all, including limited-time releases.

Five Dragon Quest Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

Metascore: 78

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name When it first released in 2023, players were shocked to find that they wouldn’t receive a physical version of the action-adventure title straight away, leading to much disappointment. Rai-ga-Gotoku Studio justified this by citing the fact that many of the current generation consoles no longer require discs, and the fact that there’s a huge influx of players who only buy digitally.

Therefore, we decided it would be more advantageous to have the game only available to purchase through the console stores or Steam. However, while the game technically also had a physical release, this was only available to people who bought the game in Asia. It was possible to buy it from there and have it shipped to America, but this was significantly more expensive, so the game is technically only available digitally for Western audiences.

Four Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Metascore: 81

2024 has been a year that has offered an abundance of digital-only experiences, especially when it comes to Microsoft-published games. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 It was a title many players were excited about when it was first revealed a few years ago, but some were worried when they found out the game would be digital-only.

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Despite these issues, the game didn’t receive a physical release when it first came out in May of that year. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 This action-adventure game has amazed players with its beautiful graphics and great storytelling, transcending concerns that it is only available on the Xbox Store or PC. Hellblade 2 A physical version is due for release, but until then many players can download it through Game Pass.

3 Soma

Metascore: 84

Horror experiences are one of those gaming genres where multiple titles are released digitally only. Somawas a title offered to players by the developers of the Amnesia series and Penumbra, who released the game in a digital-only format. The series was a huge success, and players Soma It will be an intriguing and intense horror game with a surprising storyline that will be revealed to players as they adventure through a sci-fi world.

Even the creators Soma Considered an indie company, Soma It’s such a memorable experience that since its release in 2015, many players have been hoping for a physical edition of the game to be released, in addition to being available to purchase in online stores.

2 Nex Machina: Death Machine

Metascore: 88

Some of the best digital-only titles are in niche genres that some players believe have fallen out of favor. Nex Mania: Death MachineThe twin-stick shooter proved that even a niche title like itself could deliver such an epic experience that players will one day beg for a physical edition.

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Nex Machina: Death Machine The game proves that there were games where a physical edition wasn’t even on the table back in 2017, despite only being released on two platforms, PlayStation 4 and Steam. The only chance of this shooter title getting a physical edition is if developer Housemarque creates an arcade cabinet, which they are considering making, but have yet to release.

1 Alan Wake 2

Metascore: 89

Among the digital-only games being released, the best games are some of the most recent releases. Alan Wake 2 The title was meant to be a digital-only game, which infuriated many players as they could only purchase and play the title on console stores or on Steam for PC. This affected some players, but Alan Wake 2 It will be one of the most popular games of 2023.

The title is only available for purchase digitally, Alan Wake 2 It was also Remedy Entertainment’s fastest purchased game, which, like other titles, indicates that player preferences are changing when it comes to physical games. Hellblade 2, A digital version was released just a year later. Alan Wake 2Success.

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Great AAA studios that no longer exist

The following AAA studios provided players with memorable gaming experiences, but have sadly disappeared: