Microsoft has responded to claims that Target and Walmart are removing Xbox physical games, saying both retailers remain committed partners for Xbox consoles, accessories, and games.
Over the weekend, some Xbox fans and store workers shared that their local Target and Walmart locations were removing Xbox physical games, or even entire Xbox sections, from store shelves. The posts, mostly found on Reddit, sparked a lot of questions about whether the two retail giants were quietly stepping back from Xbox game sales altogether.
Now, Microsoft has weighed in.
In a statement provided to Windows Central, a Microsoft spokesperson said:
“Target and Walmart, among other retailers, remain committed partners for Xbox consoles, accessories, and games.”
That clears up at least part of the confusion. According to Microsoft, both Target and Walmart are still officially on board when it comes to stocking Xbox products. That includes consoles, accessories, and yes, physical game discs.
While some local stores might be going through layout changes or cutting down on their physical inventory, this doesn’t appear to be a sign of Xbox disappearing from major retail chains.
Microsoft also made it clear that it isn’t abandoning physical media altogether. The company said there’s no minimum order size for physical game production, meaning publishers can still release disc versions if they want to. Xbox boss Phil Spencer has also said multiple times that the platform will continue supporting discs for the foreseeable future.
So, if you’ve seen an empty Xbox shelf at your local store, it’s likely just a one-off situation, not a corporate shift.
In other news, Microsoft recently rolled out a major update to Xbox Game Pass, introducing three new tiers: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate. Alongside the rebrand, Game Pass Ultimate saw a steep 50% price hike, jumping from $19.99 to $29.99 per month in many regions. This caused a huge wave of backlash from fans, with many rushing to cancel their Game Pass subscription.
