Digital Copy Vs. Physical Copy

[Garrett]

I like both so it depends on the game. For example, a game like Animal Crossing or Mario Kart will be digital because they're played often and will never be sold by me.

Something like Pok?mon or Donkey Kong will be physical as I'll probably sell them once completed.

 

[EvilTheCat6600]

To me, it depends on the situation. As a mostly Nintendo gamer with some PC gaming, I tend to follow this one rule: If a game has a physical release, buy it. This is, of course, due to Nintendo's immense hatred of large, spacious hard drives. And even though I only have like six digital games on my Switch, the digital games, plus update patches for ALL games and DLC for Pokken Tournament DX...I'm down to 98 GB on a 128 GB SD card.

So, usually when a physical game comes out, that's the one I spring for. I only buy digital if a game is digital only or has to be imported (I'm a little OCD about my collection looking nice...don't look at meeeeee). Best thing about games being available in both digital and physical though is that you have options available.

 

[LittleMissPanda]

I've always been really uneasy when it comes to digital games. Many things could go horribly wrong.

Let's say, 1) You went out there and got yourself a brand new 3DS/2DS. Let's say you have your old one and have digital games/software/saved data you want to system transfer. Let's say the batteries die during transfer and 1, 2, and... POOF! Lost everything.

2) Your system gets corrupted via some technical error or you messing around with Action Replay. Gone.

3) SD/MicroSD card block management.

True story~ Got my claws on a New Nintendo 3DS XL SNES style (I was overjoyed once it arrived in the mail) and I wanted to system transfer all my precious, precious themes and Virtual Console games (Link's Awakening, Earthbound, Ages and Seasons, Pok?mon Crystal) So I began the transfer, everything was going smoothly. It's a success, but as I booted up my new XL I didn't see my stuff on it. My heart literally dropped to my stomach and panic mode was real. Turns out I needed to open the system to take out my old MicroSD with all my stuff and pop it in into my new XL. And to my utter joy and relief, I got all my stuff safe and sound.

This happened last week Saturday.

My advice to you is: Take extra, and I mean EXTRA care when performing system transfers!

 

[Flare]

It depends, if it's a console, then Physical. But if it's a handheld, then Digital.

 

[ILikeFroakies]

Physical copies are so much better. Don't trust digital ones

 

[Hellfish]

I only really like physical copies for the cases they come in... I like collecting steelbooks too and am so happy some DS games have steelbooks now.

 

[Croconaw]

I prefer physical copies. If I have a game, I would like it in my hand. Unfortunately, that means if my card reader breaks I?m out of luck. But if my system breaks and I have a digital copy, I?m out of luck, so....

 

[Stackhouse]

Physical.
You're less likely to lose it, whereas data can be corrupted or lost.

 

[EpicGamer12]

I typically get a physical copy if I think I might want to sell the game in the future. Digital is a lot more convenient for me though. Also data corruption shouldn't be an issue soon with cloud saves!

 

[Eternity]

For consoles I prefer a physical copy.
I like being able to hold it in my hands and look at its cover art and it sitting on my shelf.

I don't mind digital copies. Just not my first choice.

However on PC I mostly have digital copies through Steam. The only physical games I have on PC is The Sims 4 but EA now sell the game physically with a digital download code - so no installation by disk. Better off just getting it through Origin instead of taking space on the shelf.

 

[Zireael]

I have high preference for physical copies, but I don't mind digital when it comes to Steam. For consoles though, I would always buy physical. Imagine my disappointment when the MM 3DSXL only came with the digital version of Majora's Mask preinstalled. That's the only digital game I've bought relating to consoles, and only because I didn't have a choice when I wanted that 3DSXL model.

 

[shayminskyforme88]

Physical for me unless the game has no physical release. I would want to actually get something tangible for the amount of money I buy games for. Aside from that, it’s nice to be able to sell the game once you’re tired of it. I once bought Super Mario 3D Land when it was on sale for 20 dollars. Now that I’m done with it, I can’t resell it, only game purchase I regretted far. It was fun but gameplay was short, and now I couldn’t get part of the money I bought it for back unlike if I had bought a physical copy.

 

[Jake]

Definitely physical copies. Here in Australia digital games are always the RRP to buy, but if you go to the store you can generally save about $20, and if I get bored of it I can always sell it off, it's not like I'm stuck with it, like if I were to go digital.

 

[DJStarstryker]

Physical. They tend to be cheaper (get price drops/sales more often) but also I pay more attention to my physical games. I can see them on my shelf and remember I have them. It's so easy to forget about the digital games, especially when they're spread out among different services/systems.

I pretty much only buy digital games if that's the only way to get it. Honestly, some of my digital-only games I'd rebuy if they ever got a physical version.

 

[Midoriya]

I prefer physical copies being a collector. They are just easier for sealing and practical use, and they do not get corrupted like digital games can (unless, of course, you do not take care of them).

 

[himeros]

I personally like digital copies mostly because people keep stealing my physical copies!