Is better to buy games digitally or physically?

[three3-times]

Hey,

I now am a vita owner with a 16gb memory card and 4gig that i got free. I dont have any games yet though!

I was just wondering what most of you do? as i noticed that some of the games on the store are actually cheaper than buying them online and vice versa.

But then how much space does does one of these games take up?

[DarkVincent07]

Personally, I don't think its worth it at all to buy games digitally (I have Super Stardust Delta though that is an exception, as its just like a PSN game) but for anything that I can buy physically, physical without a doubt for a few reasons.

Firstly most Vita games are cheaper than their RRP on the store BUT game stores and online stores have sales and at least in Australian currency, most of the really big retailers actually have Vita games psychically CHEAPER than what's offered on the PSN.

Also Some games are huge, I know Uncharted and Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 are both around 4GB. So that means that you'll be filling up Memory cards pretty quickly if you play a lot of games. granted you can easily re-download games and re-download them when you run out of space but thats just inconvenient..

Lastly if you ever want to lend games to a friend, trade them in or re-sell them to put them towards other games, well, you can.

The only downside is having to change cartridges, but hey, you do that with every other gaming system. And to me, I have a phat shelf full of games and I intend to keep it that way.. so theres a bit of physical goods bias.

To me it just makes so much more sense to buy physically overall though

[three3-times]

I get what your saying DV, i may just rent em for now seeing as the catalogue aint that big atm and 16gig doesnt really cut tbh!

[kidd0218]

I'm also divided between digital and physical games after I got my Vita. It always physical games for me, I like to see my collection of games grow.

With the Vita though, it reminded me of using my Ipad where every game was accessible in one touch of my finger. But it still doesn't have the same feeling of physically owning the game.

So I decided, I'll only buy digital if there is no physical copy of the game and stick to buying physical games that are (mostly are) cheaper online than the PSN store.

[brebaz]

For me Physical all the way. Digital as of right now seems like a waste of money, all you could save is $5 which is not much considering you're already paying around$40 for the game anyway.

And also mostly, the games from Sony 1st party are the only ones that are cheaper on the PSN store. The rest is just the same price!

[Fenix]

I prefer physical media, I just love to own and collect games.

[Ghost-Rhayne]

Generally I say physical all the way, but man, I love being able to shut a game down on the Vita and then just launch right into another one without changing cartridges. Regardless, if it comes physically, I will get it.

On a side note, wtf was with all this "you need a screw driver to change Vita games" rubbish that came out around the Vita launch. smh lol I don't even have long fingernails and it's a piece of cake...

[F34R]

Definitely physical copies over digital where available.

[three3-times]

For those for are buying actual physical games, are you finding yourself running out of space on your memory cards?

[Beast of Bourbon]

The space is running out fast (16gb card) and i buy physical copies only.
I can't even tell you where all the space is going, it's just a demo here a few videos there etc. etc. it adds up and i don't even have MP3s on it yet.

[F34R]

For those for are buying actual physical games, are you finding yourself running out of space on your memory cards?

I have about half of my 8GB left. Here's the problem with the vita, as it is with the PS3 (not so much because you have larger capacity hdd's etc.) You have to keep enough space, double of whatever you're downloading, so that limits the capacity in that respect too.

[FdMstng99]

I prefer physical media, I just love to own and collect games.

Same here.

[BoyBettaKnow]

I'm a digital convert now! I love being able to just download games, it is quicker and more convenient for me compared to either going out and getting it at a shop or buying it online (no difference, i know, it just feels more convenient). I don't own a Vita so i wouldn't know if the DD is priced competitively or not.


Isn't the profile saved to the actual Vita so couldn't you just use a different memory stick once you ran out of space and just carry 1 or 2 memory sticks with you with 3 or 4 games on each? That may not work though, i don't know.

[Marcsony]

Ill got with physical over digital for all the reasons stated above i only went with digital for a few games like escape plan and ssdd, but ive found as with alot of people that the physical copies online are cheaper than ps store take army corps from hell £34.99 on ps store however £20 in asda and around £18 off Ebay new. i just shop around.

[R3D D3V!L]

Physical for me. Vita games are quite big and take up a lot of space on your Memory Card so I go physical, unless it's PSN only, like MotorStorm RC, or PSP games.

[Rapture]

PC - Digital
Everything else - Physical

I don't feel safe with my digital purchase on the consoles and especially the handhelds. Plus, from what I've heard about the Vita specifically, physical media just sounds more practical right now.

[Lethal_NFS]

There are times where I was so glad I bought the game digitally. I tend to sell games and then wish I didn't. I would never buy a digital copy of a sports game.

But yes, sometimes it is good to buy them digitally so you always have them.

[Thorzilla]

With VERY few exceptions, I don't buy a single game digitally that's available in a store. Why? I like my collection. Besides, I'll be royally fucked when the servers get taken down like 20 years from now.

[F34R]

I'm a digital convert now! I love being able to just download games, it is quicker and more convenient for me compared to either going out and getting it at a shop or buying it online (no difference, i know, it just feels more convenient). I don't own a Vita so i wouldn't know if the DD is priced competitively or not.


Isn't the profile saved to the actual Vita so couldn't you just use a different memory stick once you ran out of space and just carry 1 or 2 memory sticks with you with 3 or 4 games on each? That may not work though, i don't know.

No.. doesn't necessarily work that way.

[BoyBettaKnow]

So you can't swap Memory sticks once you've filled one up? That's odd. Any idea why?

[Sylar]

The only time I download games is if it's only available on the Playstation Store or Xbox Live Arcade, can't beat having the real thing

[AaronSOLDIER]

I'm all for digital now no matter what platform, but if its handheld, digital all the way.

[Naxi]

Steam has made me love the convenience of digital games, but console games haven't reached that far yet.

[mickice]

With VERY few exceptions, I don't buy a single game digitally that's available in a store. Why? I like my collection. Besides, I'll be royally fucked when the servers get taken down like 20 years from now.

Pretty much this, I dont mind having to own a PSP and a Vita because the games aren't compatible.

[Blacksite]

PC - Digital
Everything else - Physical

I don't feel safe with my digital purchase on the consoles and especially the handhelds. Plus, from what I've heard about the Vita specifically, physical media just sounds more practical right now.

It's more of a nostalgic factor for me. I like having a physical copy of my game for home consoles because I started out playing games that way. I don't necessarily feel the same way with PC games since I started playing them last year and mainly through Steam, which I feel is pretty secure.