20260704N PS5 Consumer electronics store Nikkei

Sony’s PlayStation 5 game software on display at a consumer electronics retailer in Tokyo on July 3. (Photo by Ryo Sato)

RYO SATO, KEIGO YOSHIDA and TOMOKA KODAMA

TOKYO — Sony Group has announced it’s game over for physical PlayStation games, marking a watershed moment for Japan’s gaming industry as the move could have far-reaching consequences for consumers, retailers and game publishers.