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Death Stranding 2 tops UK physical game sales chart, but lags behind original’s debut

Physical launch sales of Death Stranding 2 were 66 percent lower than those of the original Death Stranding title

Death Stranding 2

Death Stranding 2 tops UK physical game sales chart, but lags behind original’s debut

YouTube/ Kojima Productions
Gayathri Kallukaran
By Gayathri KallukaranJul 01, 2025
Gayathri Kallukaran
Gayathri Kallukaran is a Junior Journalist with Eastern Eye. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Paul’s College, Bengaluru, and brings over five years of experience in content creation, including two years in digital journalism. She covers stories across culture, lifestyle, travel, health, and technology, with a creative yet fact-driven approach to reporting. Known for her sensitivity towards human interest narratives, Gayathri’s storytelling often aims to inform, inspire, and empower. Her journey began as a layout designer and reporter for her college’s daily newsletter, where she also contributed short films and editorial features. Since then, she has worked with platforms like FWD Media, Pepper Content, and Petrons.com, where several of her interviews and features have gained spotlight recognition. Fluent in English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi, she writes in English and Malayalam, continuing to explore inclusive, people-focused storytelling in the digital space.
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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:

  1. Death Stranding 2 – NEW
  2. Mario Kart World

  3. Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition

  4. Hogwarts Legacy

  5. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

  6. Minecraft

  7. The Thing Remastered

  8. EA Sports FC 25

  9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Game of the Year Edition

  10. 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.

ukdeath stranding 2gaming

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