Neither PlayStation Store sales nor PS5 game discs are always cheaper. Compare the same game and edition at the current digital sale price, new-disc price, and pre-owned price; the best deal depends on the title, timing, and whether your console can play discs.
Which option is cheaper?
A July 2026 comparison by Ars Technica checked 19 current top-selling PlayStation games. PlayStation Store sale prices were lowest for 10 games, used discs for seven, and two were roughly tied. The comparison looked at new discs at Amazon and pre-owned prices at GameStop and eBay, making adjustments for some differences in included content and upgrade costs. It is a snapshot of those titles and prices, not a guarantee about the wider market or a permanent rule.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
PRAGMATA - PlayStation 5 | $59.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
MLB® The Show™ 26 – PS5™ | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 PS5 | $49.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Marvel's Wolverine PS5 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 – PS5 Standard Edition | $44.75 | Buy on Amazon |
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The results show why it pays to compare both formats. In that same sample, a pre-owned GameStop copy of Dark Souls III was reported at $10 less than its $30 PlayStation Store sale price. That is a historical example from the study, not a current quote.
How to compare prices fairly
- Match the game and edition. Compare the same platform version and edition, and check which add-ons or other content are included. A standard disc and a digital deluxe bundle are not equivalent just because they share a title.
- Check the current Store offer. PlayStation’s US deals page lists live promotions and changing prices. Check the offer’s end date and availability when you shop rather than relying on an old sale price.
- Compare new and pre-owned discs. Check current listings for both, and include delivery charges and applicable local taxes in the total. The comparison can change by retailer, marketplace, condition, and location.
- Include your console in the calculation. A digital-only PS5 cannot read a disc unless it supports a compatible separately sold drive. Check the exact model and any setup requirements before treating disc prices as an option.
- Consider resale without assuming a return. A disc may be resold after you finish a game, potentially lowering its net cost. What you can recover depends on the title, condition, demand, and marketplace; there is no guaranteed resale value.
When Store sales can be the better deal
Digital discounts can undercut disc prices during a promotion, as the 2026 comparison found for 10 of its 19 titles. PlayStation says its Store hosts sales events, promotions, and discounts on digital games and add-ons. The US deals page is the place to check current offers, but sale prices and availability change.
#1 Best Overall
- Out-of-This-World Adventure – Stranded on a lunar space station, Hugh encounters Diana, a mysterious android resembling a young girl. While searching for a way back to Earth, they fight to survive against Bots directed to “neutralize” intruders.
- Hack & Shoot – Use each character’s distinct abilities to take down enemies. In combat, Diana can hack foes to expose weaknesses so Hugh can blast them with weapons. This unique fusion of gameplay offers an action-packed experience like no other.
- Space Exploration – Teamwork also extends to traversing the station. Utilize the thrusters in Hugh’s futuristic suit to dash and hover around while Diana hacks security systems to solve puzzles. Only together can they overcome all obstacles.
- Collect and Customize – Gather materials while exploring the station to unlock upgrades, build out a diverse arsenal of weapons, obtain new outfits, and more. Once you’re ready, use the new gear in battle and take on even greater challenges!
PlayStation’s published 2026 US sale windows included Spring Sale (March 25–April 22), Days of Play (May 27–June 10), and Summer Sale (July 15–August 12), according to its deals and events page. Those dates have passed; use them as examples of past sale timing, not as active offers. A promotion calendar can help you decide whether to wait, but it does not establish that a particular game will be discounted in a future event.
When a physical copy can be the better deal
Used discs can beat a digital sale, as the comparison’s seven used-disc wins illustrate. Physical copies also create the possibility of reselling or lending a game, subject to the game’s format and any applicable terms. Those advantages are useful only if you have disc-compatible hardware and can find a copy at a good total price.
Rank #2
- MLB The Show 26 Full Game on PlayStation 5
- Includes 5 The Show Packs
- NEW Road to Cooperstown & Expanded Amateur Years Career
- Build your ultimate fantasy team with a new Red Diamond rarity tier and World Baseball Classic player cards featuring elite game-changing players
- NEW Revamped Front Office Experience Play the nail-biting key matches and moments of your Franchise GM career with streamlined seasons and Custom Game Entry
Hardware matters. Sony’s PS5 buying and disc-drive information distinguishes disc-equipped PS5 models from Digital Edition models without a drive. Sony says its separately sold drive is for PS5 Digital Edition CFI-2000 and CFI-2100 slim model groups or PS5 Pro, supports 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD, and needs an internet connection for initial pairing. Verify your exact console model and the current accessory listing before buying.
Recommended Free Tools
What the 2028 disc-production change means
On July 1, 2026, Sony announced that production of physical game discs for new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting in January 2028. Sony said new releases from that point will be available in digital formats only, while games already released or due to release in disc format before then are not affected. This announcement concerns new releases after the cutoff; it does not mean compatible discs you already own stop working. See Sony’s announcement for its stated scope.
Rank #3
- Reactive Turn-based Combat: Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and &character synergies
- Dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system
- With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, & fellow Expeditioners as they embark on a desperate quest to break Paintress’ cycle of death
- Explore an enchanting realm populated by adversaries; Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack
A simple decision rule
- Choose the Store sale when its price for the matching edition is lower than the new and pre-owned disc totals, or when your console cannot use discs.
- Choose a disc when a compatible console can play it and the current new or used price is lower, especially if resale matters to you.
- Wait and compare later if neither price is compelling and you are not in a hurry. Sale timing and disc listings both change.
There is no reliable market-wide statistic in the cited sources establishing what share of PS5 game purchases are digital versus physical. The 19-game price comparison measures relative prices in a limited sample, not how players buy games overall.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Spider-Men, Peter Parker and Miles Morales, return for an exciting new adventure in the critically acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise. Swing, jump, and utilize the new Web Wings to travel across Marvel’s New York, quickly switching between Peter Parker and Miles Morales to experience different stories and epic new powers, as the iconic villain Venom threatens to destroy their lives, their city, and the ones they love.
- An evolution of the Spider-Man story: The incredible power of the symbiote forces Peter and Miles to face the ultimate test of strength, both inside and outside the mask, as they balance their lives, friendships, and their duty to protect those in need.
- Experience two playable Spider-Men: Quickly swap between both Spider-Men as you explore an expanded Marvel’s New York. Experience Peter’s new symbiote abilities and Miles’ explosive bio-electric venom powers, and discover upgradeable, high-tech equipment that enhances the combat experience for extensive gameplay depth and variety.
- Battle iconic Marvel Super Villains: Fight against a variety of new and iconic villains, including an original take on the monstrous Venom, the ruthless Kraven the Hunter, the volatile Lizard, and many more!
Rank #4
- Marvel’s Wolverine is a new action-packed adventure from Insomniac Games
- Play as Wolverine and Ravage enemies with explosive brutality and unleash razor-sharp adamantium claws to deploy fast, fluid attacks and overcome impossible odds
- An Original, Emotionally Charged Story. Beneath Wolverine’s gruff exterior and violent temperament is a man fighting for a cause greater than himself
- A Global, Adrenaline-Fueled Journey where you slice into enemies across detailed locales such as the frosted Canadian Wilderness, the narrow streets of Tokyo, and the high and low districts of the island nation of Madripoor
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.
