You know, one of the biggest factors that gave consoles an identity, was the physical media. That point became even bigger when physical media died off for P.C.. Consoles offered experiences that even today, the average computer doesn't replicate completely, if at all.
When you went out to buy physical media, it wasn't about the hassles to obtain them, it was the excitement you got when you finally got the chance to hold and or purchase a copy for yourself. Hard day at work? You had a plan worth looking forward to, a plan to buy and play the game you wanted. Sure, you used more gas, but it was worth it. If you were a kid, 9/10 you wanted to hold and look at the contents inside of the case, otherwise, all you thought about was that game on the way home if you didn't get that chance. At some point you finally get the chance to purely focus on the game. You remove the plastic, maybe you get lucky and get a whiff of that new plastic smell. You open the packaging, now it's undeniable, you smell the new product. If you were old enough, you had manuals and extras to go through, otherwise, you see the shiny new cartridge or game disc ready whenever you were. You make your way to your system, pop the cartridge or disc in, and eagerly executed the software. The best part is, you not only got to do that with each game you physically owned, but you never had to worry about losing what you loved, as they sat there, waiting for your attention, for years to come. It was never about the money, it was always about the experiences in the moment that no amount of money could replace. All of the details in between that leads up to that singular purchase, small hassles and all, makes it worth appreciating and remembering even more. That is the true worth of physical media.
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