The Belgian video game market experienced a decline in 2025, with total sales reaching €646 million, down from €698 million the previous year, according to data released Tuesday by the Video Games Federation Belgium (VGFB). The slight downturn reflects shifting consumer behavior and a challenging retail landscape for physical media.
A significant factor in the market contraction was a decrease in sales of physical game copies and accessories, now accounting for only a quarter of total spending. The remaining 75% is comprised of digital downloads, including full games, microtransactions, downloadable content, and subscriptions. Despite some vocal opposition to digital-only distribution, the trend demonstrates a clear preference for convenience and accessibility among Belgian gamers.
The mobile gaming segment continues to thrive, with 148 million digital downloads and a 3% increase in its share of total revenue, now representing 26% of the market. Console and PC digital sales also saw a modest 1% increase compared to 2024, contributing 38% to overall revenue.
Console and accessory sales collectively represent 25% of total revenue, remaining stable year-over-year. A total of 253,466 consoles were sold in Belgium in 2025. The Nintendo Switch 2, released in June, gained traction but did not surpass the PlayStation 5 as the top-selling console. The original Nintendo Switch held the third position, ahead of Microsoft’s Xbox, indicating continued challenges for the latter in the Belgian market.
The closure of all Game Mania stores in late 2024 likely contributed to the decline in physical game and accessory sales, particularly in Flanders, according to David Verbruggen, the director general of the VGFB. “We think also that the closure of all the Game Mania stores at the end of 2024 has impacted the sales of physical games and accessories, specifically in Flanders,” Verbruggen said.
Popular titles in 2025 included “EA Sports FC” editions 2025 and 2026, dominating console sales, and “Battlefield 6,” which led PC sales and ranked third on consoles. The top three most played console and PC games were ‘Fortnite’, ‘Call of Duty HQ’ and ‘Roblox’.
The Belgian video game market’s performance in 2025 underscores the broader industry trend toward digital distribution and the importance of mobile gaming. While overall spending decreased slightly, the continued popularity of consoles suggests a resilient core gaming community.
