Key points
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach takes top spot in UK physical sales for week ending 28 June.
- Mario Kart World drops to second place.
- Physical launch sales of Death Stranding 2 are 66% lower than the original.
- Sales are also 33% lower than PS5 exclusive Astro Bot at launch.
- Market trends indicate a shift towards digital game purchases.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach has debuted at number one in the UK’s weekly physical game sales chart, replacing Mario Kart World at the top. However, while Kojima Productions' latest release secured the top spot, its physical sales are significantly down compared to its predecessor.
Weaker physical launch than the original
According to industry analyst Chris Dring from The Game Business, physical launch sales of Death Stranding 2 were 66 per cent lower than those of the original Death Stranding title. The drop is attributed to a broader shift in consumer behaviour, with a growing preference for digital downloads over boxed copies.
Dring also reported that the new game’s launch performance was 33 per cent lower than that of Astro Bot, another recent PlayStation 5 exclusive. Despite both being PS5 titles, the two games cater to different audiences, making direct comparisons limited.
UK top 10 physical game sales
The latest chart, compiled by GfK and published via VGcharts, lists the top ten best-selling physical games in the UK for the week ending 28 June 2025:
- Death Stranding 2 – NEW
- Mario Kart World
- Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Minecraft
- The Thing Remastered
- EA Sports FC 25
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Game of the Year Edition
- Mortal Kombat 1
The presence of long-running titles like Minecraft and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe highlights the continued popularity of legacy games in the retail market.
Market shift towards digital
The performance gap between Death Stranding 2 and the original underscores a key trend in the video game industry: physical sales are declining as more players opt for digital platforms. This shift has impacted launch week figures, particularly for story-driven, cinematic games like Death Stranding 2 which are often pre-ordered or downloaded via online stores.
Despite this, Death Stranding 2 has been well received critically, with Eurogamer describing it as "a busier, louder, and more emotionally resplendent take on this singular hiking sim."
What’s next for Death Stranding 2 players
Fans returning to the world of Sam Porter Bridges can explore new gameplay mechanics and hidden easter eggs, including a nod to Pac-Man. Players looking for help can refer to walkthrough guides and curated lists of key moments not to miss in Death Stranding 2.
Whether its chart-topping performance translates into long-term success remains to be seen, but its arrival at number one signals strong interest in Hideo Kojima’s latest creation, despite quieter numbers on the high street.
