In a rare but welcome reversal, Microsoft has backtracked on its recent trend of selling physical Xbox games without actual game discs inside. Both The Outer Worlds 2 and Ninja Gaiden 4 will now come with full physical discs when they hit store shelves, marking a notable shift in Xbox’s packaging strategy.

This change comes after months of backlash from gamers, collectors, and preservationists. The practice, often dubbed “code in a box,” involved selling retail copies that contained only a digital download code instead of a playable disc. For many, it felt like the beginning of the end for physical media a format that still holds value for those with limited internet access, nostalgia for boxed games, or a desire for long-term game preservation.

Microsoft had been testing the waters with disc-less releases, but pushback grew louder with each new title that ditched the disc. Fans voiced concern that they were paying full price for what amounted to an empty case and a piece of paper with a download code on it.

Now, with The Outer Worlds 2, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, and Ninja Gaiden 4, a reboot from Team Ninja, Microsoft appears to be listening. Both games will ship on disc for Xbox Series X, preserving the traditional experience of unwrapping a new game and popping it into a console.

For collectors, this is more than a symbolic gesture. Physical discs serve as a safeguard against the eventual shutdown of servers or the de-listing of games. They represent ownership in an era increasingly defined by licenses and subscriptions.

There’s no word yet on whether this move signals a permanent return to discs for all future Xbox titles, but it’s a strong indication that physical media still matters to a significant portion of the Xbox community.

In an industry often criticized for ignoring fan feedback, it’s refreshing to see a platform holder course-correct based on what players actually want. For now, it looks like the disc isn’t going away quietly.