The Digital Download vs Retail Thread

[Joshawott]

Last year, Nintendo came to the decision that some Nintendo 3DS games (mainly all first party titles, with some third party) will be available digitally via the Nintendo eShop as well as having them available at retail like before. Each method obviously has their own pros and cons, but I was wondering - which option will you take?

Personally, I will probably purchase the game at retail (still having a cartridge) because Pokémon games tend to always be in my 3DS anyway and in the UK, eShop games are actually priced higher than online retailers of physical copies (for example, the average full retail game costs £39.99 on the eShop, but £29.86 on some websites). I'm also concerned about how the new games will handle communicating between physical and retail copies. For example, if I own one version as a cartridge and the other as a download, would I be able to transfer Pokémon from one to the other using the same 3DS system (Which obviously becomes more important if I own both versions as a download)? If not, then I won't be buying them digitally, as although I have a younger brother with a 3DS, I'd like to be able to do things by myself if I can and it would be much more convenient.

[Pokemaster97]

I personally still like being able to have the physical cartage. It just feels... normal for me, if that's the right word xD. Another advantage is with a cartage, you can play the game on 3DS, while on a Digital Download, I think you're restricted to just one. So if anything happens to your system, won't your game be lost?

[Caitlin]

I would probably go for a digital download due to convenience. People always tell me I'm stupid for going with digital downloads because "oh the big bad company will take your game away from you!", but that hasn't happened yet in the five years that I've been using digital download services.

Besides, if I lose my 3DS, it's likely my most played game was in it so I'd lose that as well, and it's most likely that it would be a Pokemon game in there.

[Zeb]

Retail copy. Nothing like breaking open a case and holding that sweet, sweet pokemon cart in your hands knowing you'll be playing it in five seconds.

I have retail copies of all the pokemon games I've bought, so it's not something I intend to stop now, well, not unless I'm forced to (and when I say forced, boy do I mean it!).

[Octy]

Retail Copy. Nothing is like holding the package of a game you've been wanting to play for a while. Just an awesome feeling.

[CrimsonoftheOrder]

I just like to be able to hold, with my hands, exactly what I purchased and not just look at it through the console. It's safer for me.

[Wyvernphlare]

Retail because data is limited

[CynthiaLover]

Retail, for sure. I'd rather have the physical cartage over a digital copy any day. It just fees normal to me. Besides, the retail price can be cheaper than the digital download, and I don't like using the Eshop too often (only if it's something I really want, but this will be the exception). Besides, having the game physically means I'll have better access to the things I want, especially if there are events, since I'm not sure how a digital download version would handle such things. So, I'll just buy it.

[Mitch Chesman]

If there is download retail for X, my main game, download for Y, the in-between experimental game. And its a cunning way to do something if they're smart about it:
Have Y downloaded, put B2W2 in the cartridge slot. Send over to Y the Pokemon, put X in the slot, then send from Y to X all the main mon for my team. Win-win situation!

[1quacka1]

Whichever is cheaper - which will probably be the physical copy

[UnovaCastaway]

I'd rather save memory on my 3DS for older games that get put on the eShop and any apps.

If it comes in physical form, I'd rather get that. There's also less risk of losing the game if I lose the system when it's not in the slot.

[Lalonde]

I would chose the physical copy if I was able to get it because like many have said, it's nice to have the physical cartridge in my hands for the very first time. Also, you can transfer the game between Ds's so I don't have to continually download it. Also, if my Ds breaks, my game will be safe being played in another Ds.

[ghaskan]

I like the feeling of a retail copy, but I'd definitively buy a digital version if it was cheaper. Although I doubt that will be the case, so retail for me.

[Shiny Celebi]

I am buying the physical game, digital seems so convenient but I like holding a game in my hands and using it on my system, Im not opposed to digital copies though. I just dont want a digital game stuck in my DS and enjoy the freedom physical copies have.

[jda95]

I much prefer retail if I have the choice. The idea of going to the store and buying a game and being able to open up its case and see the manual and cartridge inside is always so fun for me and just can't be replicated digitally. My Pokemon collection is 100% physical and as long as I can I'd like to keep it that way.