Nintendo’s Iwata predicted digital gaming’s slow rise back in 2009

Nintendo’s late president Satoru Iwata predicted in 2009 that the video game industry would gradually shift toward digital distribution, but not as quickly as many expected at the time. Seventeen years later, following Sony’s reported decision to stop producing physical PlayStation 5 game discs from 2028, his remarks have resurfaced online as players note the industry has closely followed the timeline he outlined.

Iwata made the comments during a 2009 investor meeting, discussing the future of physical retail versus digital distribution. “Most radical people even dare to say that retailers will be replaced by digital distribution in no time,” he said, “But personally, I think it will still require a significant amount of time.” He added: “In short, in 20 years or so, I might say it will have probably changed. But in 5 years or so, I do not totally agree with opinions that no one will purchase titles at retailers by then.”

The comments resurfaced on Reddit after being shared in an earlier Kotaku report, amid renewed discussion about the future of physical games following recent announcements from major gaming companies. Rockstar Games announced in 2026 that Grand Theft Auto VI will be digital-only, with no physical copies available.

Iwata served as Nintendo’s president from 2002 until his passing in 2015. Physical formats remain available in parts of the market even as the industry continues shifting toward digital distribution.