Unearthing Gaming’s Hidden Gems: Mat Piscatella’s Fascinating Sales Insights
Mat Piscatella, the esteemed video game analyst for Circana, regularly captivates the gaming community on Bluesky with his insightful data presentations. Beyond charting major industry trends, such as November’s challenging period for game hardware or the impressive launch of *Battlefield 6* in October, Piscatella has recently unveiled a more whimsical side to market analysis. He’s been sharing intriguing lists of video games that have sold precisely one physical copy during a specific timeframe – compilations that often spark nostalgic reflections on retro titles or introduce players to games they never knew existed.
The Curious Case of the Single-Unit Sale
A Glimpse into Gaming’s Past
Consider October’s single-unit sales list, which featured an Xbox 360 version of the iconic *Burnout Paradise* and *Hasbro Family Game Night 3* for the PlayStation 3. Even more remarkably, Piscatella’s “2025 Circana Thread for Sickos” highlighted games that sold just one physical unit *throughout an entire year* across various console and handheld platforms. These lists serve as a fascinating archaeological dig into gaming’s retail past.
The Genesis of a Viral Trend
Piscatella revealed to *The Verge* that the inspiration for these unique single-unit sales reports stemmed from a question posed by a user on Bluesky. “People seemed to enjoy the combination of journey down memory lane and the treasure hunting idea of these games being out there somewhere,” he explained. The positive reception encouraged him to continue, transforming a simple inquiry into a beloved, ongoing series.
How Circana Tracks the Unseen
Decoding Retailer Data
The ability to unearth such granular sales data is a testament to Circana’s robust tracking mechanisms. Piscatella elaborated that the firm maintains comprehensive agreements with “all major retailers,” enabling them to compile and analyze point-of-sale data with remarkable precision. “If a retailer’s point-of-sale system scans a product as a sale, it will show up in the data,” he affirmed. This means that every game mentioned in these distinctive threads represents a singular, new unit that somehow made its way through a register, whether in a brick-and-mortar store or via an online transaction. It could have been a forgotten relic in a storeroom, a dust-covered gem beneath a display, or simply an unexpected find.
More Common Than You Think: The Longevity of Physical Media
While it’s easy to chuckle at the thought of someone purchasing a game like *Metroid: Other M* for the Wii last year, the phenomenon of obscure, older titles finding a new home is surprisingly frequent. Piscatella’s data reveals a vibrant, albeit niche, market for these long-tail items. According to his findings, in 2025 alone, over 1,000 games across all platforms (including PC) sold between one and five new physical units in the U.S. Expanding on this, more than 3,500 different games registered at least one new physical retail sale last year. “Retailers have all kinds of stuff hidden away in those stores of theirs,” Piscatella noted, underscoring the enduring presence of physical media in unexpected corners of the retail world.
When asked about the future of these quirky, single-copy sales threads, Piscatella offered a simple, heartfelt response: “So long as it stays fun, I reckon. But who knows.” For now, enthusiasts can continue to look forward to these delightful dispatches, offering a unique window into the overlooked corners of the gaming market.