I like digital copies better for these reasons:
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If I had a copy for every game I have right now I wouldn't have space for anything else Same thing with books. The only thing I don't have 100% digital is music because I can't find a site to buy loseless tracks, they usually are crappy 256kb/s mp3 files.
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If I had more space, it'd suck to swap cartridges/discs every time I want to play a different game When I play on my 3DS, I might want to play one track of Mario Kart 7 before beating the last boss of Code of Princess (yes, I'm weird like that). Why swapping cartridges when I have everything I need in my SD card?
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Physical games nowadays aren't that special anymore You buy a game, you will most likely get a box with a tiny paper of instructions, and the game. That's it, unless you want to spend more for some limited edition that gives you more plastic crap. I just want to play the game.
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Digital copies are (usually) available before the physical release Nerdy point, but when Pokémon Mystery Dungeon came out, I downloaded it at midnight from the eShop. Fun night
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I can make backups A cartridge or a disc can break, but if I purchased the digital copy I will most likely have a cloud backup always available for me, like Steam/Nintendo eShop. And if it's gone, I can make my own by simply copying them. I have multiple backups of my 3DS SD card.
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Digital copies get their sales more regularly than physical games They usually get a discount when they become old or not selling good, while digital copies will most likely have discounts during holiday sales or some anniversary, like Steam.
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Digital copies have "unlimited" availability If you are looking for some hidden gem on console, chances are that you might find that game sold-out everywhere. When Solatorobo came out, I heard that every Gamestop had 1-2 copies, max 3, of the game. I have a few friends who want to play the game but can't find a copy because of the game's rarity, and they will most likely have to import it, adding costs. If the DS had a digital shop, I'd have downloaded it instead of getting it the day-one with a Gamestop employer looking at me like "Solatowut?".
Of course, I don't want the physical games to die, I just want the chance to get them online without people full of smug saying that physical games are better because of an instructions manual that 9/10 gamers will never read.