Physical originals of games or digital re-releases of games?

[Staf]

For the longest time I couldn't decide which ones I wanted to get. As an example, do I want Super Mario Land for the Game Boy or should I download the version for the 3DS. They each cost me about the same, but one I need an GBA SP or previous and the other I play on my 3DS, which I carry with me at all times.

I've finally made a choice. If nostalgia is involved, such as a game that I had when I was younger, I'll get the original. If it isn't and it's just a game I missed out on, I'll download the digital copy. If I'm picking up a game I just missed the first time around, I'm much more likely to play if if I'm carrying it with me all the time. I'm not going to pack my 3DS and my SP with me. I used to want the original copies but I would only play them when I was at home and not playing console games. At least with a digital copy I'm playing on the go, too.

I do wish that I could get a digital copy for picking up a physical one, but I'll have to turn off the collector part of my brain and just enjoy the games like I want to.

What about you guys?

[Maben]

I'm basically swearing off digital content unless it is under the most dire of circumstances:

1. The game is only available digitally, AND it is something that I MUST play. 
2. The physical copy would be out of my price-range compared to the digital copy.

I only own 3 digital games that I paid for.  1 was for reason #1 (MtG: 2012 DotP).  1 was for nostalgia & partly reason #2.   1 was cause Nintendo makes you purchase points in $10 increments so I needed to spend 500 points (after they sat on my account for over 4 years).

[WolfAlmighty]

Physical, no exceptions.  Plenty of room in my mancave for physical copies of games.  The only digital game I've purchased is Torchlight, but I'm kind of okay with PC games.  For any retro game, give me the cart.  Love that plastic and artwork.

[tiktektak]

I hope in our forum everyone says the same.

Physical nothing more and nothing less.

[Arseen]

Physical, no exceptions.  Plenty of room in my mancave for physical copies of games.  The only digital game I've purchased is Torchlight, but I'm kind of okay with PC games.  For any retro game, give me the cart.  Love that plastic and artwork.

I hope in our forum everyone says the same.

Physical nothing more and nothing less.

THIS

[zakurowrath]

I'm the same way with music as I am with games, I rather have a vinyl, cassette or CD copy of music than an MP3 copy any day. Now I do import music to my computer as AAC and MP3 audio but, if I ever have a data crash or reinstall of Windows (which has happened MANY times) I can easily rip them again and again, not to mention having the physical artwork is always nice to look at.

It's the same with games, having the artwork, the manual and an actual physical cartridge, CD, DVD, card, etc, just having it in your hands and knowing it will outlast you. Also your kids or grand kids can play your childhood games which is something nice to think about.  

And it's even the same for movies, Blu-Ray, DVD, VHS, BETA, Laserdisc, CED whatever format, physical copies of movies are so much better than digital copies stored on a hard drive, which could crash and you might lose them all or have to redownload them all.

Something else, not everyone has the time or internet bandwidth to download movies, games and music all day. Some people even in 2012 don't have internet, or broadband for that matter.

Now do physical copies of games and music cost more, most of the time but least I know it's well worth the time, space and money in the long run. Think about it 20 years from now, all those digital copies of games on the Wii or PS3 or 360, they most likely will be long gone or the systems sadly may not work anymore. Cartridges however, as long as they are kept clean and maybe save battery & capacitor maintenance here and there on a few, you can simply plug it in and play it again and again just like it was at Day 1.

Hell even my Super Pong Console from 1976, older than me, still works perfectly. 36 years of fun  

[Maben]

I'm the same way with music as I am with games, I rather have a vinyl, cassette or CD copy of music than an MP3 copy any day. Now I do import music to my computer as AAC and MP3 audio but, if I ever have a data crash or reinstall of Windows (which has happened MANY times) I can easily rip them again and again, not to mention having the physical artwork is always nice to look at.

It's the same with games, having the artwork, the manual and an actual physical cartridge, CD, DVD, card, etc, just having it in your hands and knowing it will outlast you. Also your kids or grand kids can play your childhood games which is something nice to think about. 

This is another main reason I am all for physical media.  My collection is my hobby, but some day I want my kids to be able to experience that benefit too.  If all my games are stored on my Wii that dies in like 8 years...all is lost. 

Plus I can take my 64 cartridge and pop it in at my friend's house and game on.

[irvgotti452]

I've actually come to a medium with both physical and digita-download. Well only on pc actually (love steam because theyI do it right) no way would i would do it on consoles unless it was a gift.

Besides theres nothing better than physically holding what you paid with your hard earned money.

[wiggy]

Rip again and again?!

Man, screw that!  Back that shit up somewhere

[Maben]

I've actually come to a medium with both physical and digita-download. Well only on pc actually (love steam because theyI do it right) no way would i would do it on consoles unless it was a gift.

Besides theres nothing better than physically holding what you paid with your hard earned money.

I hate Steam with a passion.  You should be able to un-link your game from your Steam account and remove your access to it (and regain your code essentially).  If this was the case, I would back it.

[shenske]

Physical release all the way!  The ONLY TIME i purchase digital is when it is not going to be released in some sort of physical format.

[AO007]

The only digital games I have are extra digital copies of games I own physically, and demos.

EDIT: Oh, but I do have some NES games downloaded on my Wii due to the NES hardware being so... deteriorated? My NES doesn't work, and I don't intend to waste money to replace it. I still have physical carts of Super Mario Bros., Punch-Out!!, and Yoshi, and have my eyes on a NES cart of Kirby's Adventure, though I'd rather find one of those in a flea market or what have you than online.,

[zakurowrath]

I've actually come to a medium with both physical and digita-download. Well only on pc actually (love steam because theyI do it right) no way would i would do it on consoles unless it was a gift.

Besides theres nothing better than physically holding what you paid with your hard earned money.

I do like steam, I mean I got a free Half-Life 2 gift from a friend, but I'd still love to get a physical copy of it, infact I need to get the one with Episode 1 & 2, doesn't it include Portal as well?

Either way there are games on Steam I really want to get in a physical format just as you said to physically hold a physical copy of and just read the manual and appreciate the artwork. Too bad Half-Life Source isn't on a physical format.  

[Harp00nX]

The only digital game i have ever bought is Trackmania 2 Canyon on the pc, simply because it was not released in any physical form. At least they gave you one big install file and a key so you can burn it to a dvd though

If a system existed before the internet took over then it's just hideous to prefer digital over the real thing.

[madrocsz]

Personally I always prefer Physical over steam. However at the end of the day I am an old skool PC gamer at heart and Steam is pretty piffy. I HATE not having cd keys for crap, especially the 219013701 times I have bought diablo 2 because I couldnt find it lol. (Yes, now you can attach it to your battlenet account)

TBH tho, the only games I find myself buying on steam are either pc only, or games that are better on PC mainly due to controls. Team fortress 2 for example. Also too, having your games on your steam account being able to be downloaded and installed on any pc is a plus, without worry for codes. The lower costs during certain sales is a plus too.

That being said, i will NEVER download a version of a console game if I can get a physical copy. Its a lot like downloading roms, you can save tons of money and play them on your pc whenever, but for whatever reason I rather pay more for the physical copy. Maybe its the collector in me.