Exclusive Games Are Still the Main Reason People Buy Consoles, Survey Says
If you’ve ever picked a console like Xbox or PlayStation, you probably had a reason in mind. One of the biggest reasons might not be a surprise.
More than 4 out of 10 console players choose that platform because of exclusive games. This comes from a survey by Circana, a company that studies the video game market in the United States, done in early 2026.
41% of Players Choose Consoles for Exclusive Games
Mat Piscatella, a senior analyst at Circana, said that the survey included 2,500 active players in the US aged 13 and older.
When asked why they play on a specific platform, 41% of players said they chose it because of exclusive games. Another 38% said it was because their friends or family play on the same platform.
Other reasons were also mentioned. Around 37% prefer consoles because it is easier to play with friends and family. About 36% said consoles are better for relaxed and casual gaming, like playing in the living room. Also, 24% of players choose consoles because they like physical game copies.
Even so, Piscatella said these numbers do not show the full picture (via Eurogamer). Exclusive games are not among the most played titles on PlayStation or Xbox. Instead, games like Fortnite, Roblox, Call of Duty, and sports games are played the most.
Reports also point out that exclusives still help sell consoles. For example, games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and God of War Ragnarok helped boost PS5 sales when they launched.
However, fewer players are buying consoles mainly for exclusives compared to before. In 2025, 48% of players said exclusives were the main reason, while now it is 41%.
In related news, Sony is reportedly scaling back its plan to bring major single-player PlayStation games to PC, despite reports saying PlayStation made around $300 million from PC ports in 2023.
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