A new study has shown that exclusive games still play a key role in players' decisions to choose consoles over other platforms. According to data from the analytics company Circana, as many as 41% of respondents cite exclusives as the main reason for playing on consoles.
The study was conducted during the first quarter of 2026 on a sample of 2,500 American gamers aged 13 and older. Although exclusive games have maintained their top position, it is interesting that their significance has slightly decreased compared to 2025, when the same answer was chosen by 49% of respondents.
In addition to exclusives, important reasons for playing on consoles also include the social aspect – 38% of respondents say they play because their friends or family are there, while 37% cite easier interaction with other players. Additionally, 36% of players believe that playing on consoles is a simpler and more enjoyable experience.
It is also interesting that physical games today have the least impact on the decision to play on consoles, with only 24% of respondents citing them as a reason.
