Gaming Physical or Digital?

Which do you prefer?


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TheHomesk1llet

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It's the age old question...

I want to get SSB4 when it comes out, but I'm still a bit hung up on buying the physical copy, and for a few reasons.

  1. I have never bought a physical copy of a 3DS game.
  2. DS games have the tendency to fall out while I have the console in my pocket, meaning lost saves and crying in the corner. Not sure if this will be the same with 3DS games.
  3. There's no need to worry about losing a copy of your game on an SD card, unless you lose the SD card (which I will most likely never move from my 3DS), in which case you lose all your games. At the same time. All those AC:NL villagers? Dead forever. Also Mario Kart.
  4. Digital copies are a bit harder to steal.
 
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pasc

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Well the only downside is that digital copys tend to loose their saves.

Happened to me on my Animal Crossing New Leaf save that crashed while saving (which does not allow save backups...).

IF however Save Backups are allowed (like for example in Nano Assaults case) then I'm totally fine with digital as it is so much simpler.
(I was even able to transfer all my stuff from my 3DS to my XL and kept my save data intact, 6 transfer remaining ).

Due to the whole save lost issue however I'm gonna go ahead and say:

Physical:
Never had a lost save till today.
Nothing beats the box and stuff you have.
Also you can resell it.
 

TheHomesk1llet

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Well the only downside is that digital copys tend to loose their saves.

Happened to me on my Animal Crossing New Leaf save that crashed while saving (which does not allow save backups...).

IF however Save Backups are allowed (like for example in Nano Assaults case) then I'm totally fine with digital as it is so much simpler.
(I was even able to transfer all my stuff from my 3DS to my XL and kept my save data intact, 6 transfer remaining ).

Due to the whole save lost issue however I'm gonna go ahead and say:

Physical:
Never had a lost save till today.
Nothing beats the box and stuff you have.
Also you can resell it.

I can't say I've ever lost a save. I've even reset a few times while it was saving. Resetti gave me hell, but that's about it. Didn't lose anything.
 
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The problem was:

The game crashed when the city was being prepared.

Even copying an old save back will do no good as Animal Crossing has a sh***y id system that keeps track of the latest save, making all previous ones invaild (to prevent cheating, but come on, what would one gain from cheating there ?)

And like I said: Reselling and having the Box on your shelf adds quite the value.

I'm sure others also see this point.
 

TheHomesk1llet

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The problem was:

The game crashed when the city was being prepared.

Even copying an old save back will do no good as Animal Crossing has a sh***y id system that keeps track of the latest save, making all previous ones invaild (to prevent cheating, but come on, what would one gain from cheating there ?)

And like I said: Reselling and having the Box on your shelf adds quite the value.

I'm sure others also see this point.

That's a valid point. Anyone else?
 

Vengenceonu

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Personally I prefer physical games.

One, for digital games theres always the hassle of the game being "locked" to that system specifically. If i want to lend my friend a game i can do it. If i want to use the same game on another 3DS console I own then i can. Digital doesn't allow that. The only way to move games is to system transfer which moves everything (which would defeat the purpose) and your only allowed to do it 3 times.

Two, There's always the possibility in the future for whatever reason you might need to sell your game (due to no longer playing it, trade in for another game, lack of funds at the time), well with digital games, they might as well be pennies because you cant sell them. Once you buy them your stuck with them.

Three, Digital games don't come with cases (naturally) which have game promotions and deals inside them such as club nintendo and discounts (if you care about that kinda thing).

Four, Like you said, physical games can get lost but what if your 3DS console is stolen or lost? Not only is your console gone, but you SD Card and entire game library is gone too.

Five, Once you fill up your SD and internal memory you have to switch to a new SD which is basically like switching to a new physical game so regardless of which you choose your going to switch eventually.
 
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The Real Jdbye

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Physical so you can bring the game to a friend's house or let someone borrow it, and sell it when you no longer want it. Also so if your console breaks or is somehow lost you don't lose your game.
Also, it's just nice to have a box & manual sitting in your bookshelf :)
 

TheHomesk1llet

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These are excellent reviews, and I guess the box for SSB4 would be a nice trophy in itself.

There's still the matter of the physical medium becoming detached from the system while it's in your pocket. Has anyone had problems with that? I've definitely experienced it with my normal DS games.
 

JustChillin1414

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Physical so you can bring the game to a friend's house or let someone borrow it, and sell it when you no longer want it. Also so if your console breaks or is somehow lost you don't lose your game.
Also, it's just nice to have a box & manual sitting in your bookshelf :)


These are exactly the reasons I've refused to buy anything off the eshop.
 

Yepi69

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Physical

Pros:

You can borrow/trade the game to a friend
You can trade and or sell it
If you lose your 3DS you still have your games
Because having the case and the cartridge is better
Because it comes with a club Nintendo code as well
Because it makes you feel proud of that day where you finally bought the game you wanted oh-so badly

Cons:

If you have multiple cartridges it can be a hassle to carry them all (nothing a 3DS case won't fix it)
Having to switch cartridge for cartridge can be annoying

--------------------------------------------------------------------------/--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Digital

Pros:

All of your games are on your system
You can carry every 3DS game you bought so far with you without the need of cartridges

Cons:

If your 3DS gets damaged and or stolen, you can kiss good bye to your games
No case, nor manuals nor club Nintendo code
Can't be sold, traded nor borrowed.
 
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KidIce

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Yepi69 sums it up pretty well. Physical, IMO, is far better in many aspects and worse in few others. Even w/ a good model like Steam I'd really rather have a physical copy so I can install off of DVD's than have to download 50 GB's from their servers the first or the next time I need to reinstall.

I use DS flash carts and ROMz over the real deal even when I own the retail cart, so that I can carry around multiple games and not multiple cartridges. Nintendo's eShop provides a similar service. No carts to lug around = WOOT!!!

OTOH, you seem very concerned about losing things, and I'm inclined to say you need physical copies in the world of Nintendo. Losing your 3DS means losing all your games that were purchased from the eShop. Nintendo's digital distribution model is complete garbage. If you buy games from the eShop you are not supposed to sell them w/ the unit. Since the account you bought them w/ is linked to the unit and not to you when you lose said unit, it's stolen, breaks, or is sold you will no longer have those games. And oddly enough w/ their model you even get screwed if you want to upgrade to their latest model...

Want to trade in your DSi to buy a shiny new 3DS (or 3DS to buy an XL)? You can't if you want to keep all your eShop games. You have to buy the 3DS first and then use the transfer tool to shift those titles to the 3DS, and some of the titles that don't work on the 3DS will remain on your DSi. now you can take your DSi w/ the titles that won't transfer to your 3DS back to GameStop and get FAR less when you sell it to them rather than trade against the purchase of a new machine.

While Nintendo continues w/ their current paradigm of digital distribution I strongly caution anyone against going digital over physical w/ their products when a physical copy is available.. Other digital distribution markets are far superior and pros and cons need to be weighed by the actual punter over which is better for them, but Nintendo's model sucks... Buy Pushmo off the eShop, you can't get it any other way; if the physical exists then buy that.
 
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Yepi69

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Yepi69 sums it up pretty well. Physical, IMO, is far better in many aspects and worse in few others. Even w/ a good model like Steam I'd really rather have a physical copy so I can install off of DVD's than have to download 50 GB's from their servers the first or the next time I need to reinstall.

I use DS flash carts and ROMz over the real deal even when I own the retail cart, so that I can carry around multiple games and not multiple cartridges. Nintendo's eShop provides a similar service. No carts to lug around = WOOT!!!

OTOH, you seem very concerned about losing things, and I'm inclined to say you need physical copies in the world of Nintendo. Losing your 3DS means losing all your games that were purchased from the eShop. Nintendo's digital distribution model is complete garbage. If you buy games from the eShop you are not supposed to sell them w/ the unit. Since the account you bought them w/ is linked to the unit and not to you when you lose said unit, it's stolen, breaks, or is sold you will no longer have those games. And oddly enough w/ their model you even get screwed if you want to upgrade to their latest model...

Want to trade in your DSi to buy a shiny new 3DS (or 3DS to buy an XL)? You can't if you want to keep all your eShop games. You have to buy the 3DS first and then use the transfer tool to shift those titles to the 3DS, and some of the titles that don't work on the 3DS will remain on your DSi. now you can take your DSi w/ the titles that won't transfer to your 3DS back to GameStop and get FAR less when you sell it to them rather than trade against the purchase of a new machine.

While Nintendo continues w/ their current paradigm of digital distribution I strongly caution anyone against going digital over physical w/ their products when a physical copy is available.. Other digital distribution markets are far superior and pros and cons need to be weighed by the actual punter over which is better for them, but Nintendo's model sucks... Buy Pushmo off the eShop, you can't get it any other way; if the physical exists then buy that.

But those DSiWare titles aren't as expensive as full 3DS games, so you can even rebuy them if the console is lost, and you can bring your DSi to, like for example, GameStop and ask them to trade in your DSi for a 3DS BUT, you wanna transfer the games first, of course they will transfer.
 

calmwaters

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1. You are really missing out; I think it's a tradition to collect complete, intact copies of games.
2. The chip gets wedged between the open part of the slot and the spring on the other side. If your games occasionally pop out, then you might want to check that spring. Otherwise, 1) save your game 2) turn your DS off 3) eject your chip 4) wait until you get to a place where you're sure the chip has no chance of falling out and 5) pop it back in and enjoy! :yay:
3. There's no need to worry about a game getting lost on your main memory: unless you accidentally delete it. Then it's good to have a backup which you can copy from your SD card to your main memory.
4. Recently, it has been made easier to steal things with the ever progressing melodrama that's called the Internet. Now you don't have to break into your friends house to steal his game: you can hack into his gaming account and just take it :D (not that I condone this; just saying)

Physical

Cons:

If you have multiple cartridges it can be a hassle to carry them all (nothing a 3DS case won't fix it)
Having to switch cartridge for cartridge can be annoying

--------------------------------------------------------------------------/--------------------------------------------------------------------------




I remember now. I had enough room to carry a PSP and 3 games with me; no wonder why I don't think it's a hassle carrying games that are maybe 3 times as smaller as one of those discs.
Um... has there been a time in the history of consoles when you guys got tired of swapping out cartridges to play different games? They switched to CD's/DVD's and the cartridges became chips.
 

ZAFDeltaForce

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No matter the platform, I always prefer physical.

Personally I have a fetish for collecting physical items. For instance, looking at a well-organized folder in my computer full of e.pubs just isn't as satisfying for me as looking at a bookshelf full of books.
 

KidIce

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But those DSiWare titles aren't as expensive as full 3DS games, so you can even rebuy them if the console is lost

I shouldn't have to.

and you can bring your DSi to, like for example, GameStop and ask them to trade in your DSi for a 3DS BUT, you wanna transfer the games first, of course they will transfer.

Not in my experience, but YMMV.

Oh... And while I'm at this. I will always take a physical copy as long as digital copies aren't any cheaper. Really it's a no-brainer. Cartridge and all it's advantages plus bonus physical stuff (manuals, boxes, etc) = $40. Digital copy w/ none of that = $40. Yeah, I want my box, manual and pre-printed map on parchment and Ankh (Ultima ruled), not a PDF and a readme.txt and Joo Janta 200 Super Chormatic Peril Sensitive Sunglasses that I have to print, glue to poster board and then cut out myself.
 

navimegaman

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i think i prefer digital, it's cheaper and easier, particularly if you're lazy and don't like swappping cartridges.
 
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pasc

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Also (as far as it supports it): you could backup your Card Saves using that NDS Adaptor Plus.

So incase you loose it you will be on the safe side.
 

Patxinco

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Right now i use this to place 3ds cartridges, it has spot for 6 ^^
images
 

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