There is a shelf of Nintendo Switch games. I know you can buy games online, and it's probably easier, but I think physical copies of video games are better.
Now, I'm in the minority here. Physical game sales are plummeting. And in many cases this makes sense. Online games are mostly played in the cloud, whether you buy a physical or digital copy. And at this point, PC games are more or less only available through digital purchase. However, for me, when it comes to offline games, I prefer physical copies.
I recently wrote about why you should keep your DVDs and Blu-Rays and it got a pretty big response. Many readers seem to feel strongly that there are benefits to purchasing a physical product over paying for a download. Here's why I think it's better to buy physical copies of games whenever possible.
you can lend it to a friend
This is a big deal for me. If you pay for a digital download, you only pay for yourself. If you have a physical copy of the game, you can lend it to a friend when you're done playing. This is a great way to share your gaming experience with your friends. My friends can play everything and we can talk about it. I also love reading e-books, but for the same reasons I love buying physical books. It's so much fun to lend your favorite things to friends.
And there's another benefit related to this. Your local library probably has more information than you think and can lend you video games. I love being able to try out Switch games for a few weeks before purchasing for myself.
long term ownership
Paying for a digital download gives you the right to play the game on your computer, but this right can be forfeited. In some cases, the store that sold your game may close down and you may not be able to re-download the game. In other cases, your license may simply be changed or your account may be closed. Having a physical copy of the game almost always guarantees that you'll be able to play the game even if that happens. It will be mine until the disk physically stops working.
Physical disks may also prove to be compatible with future systems. Analogue Pocket is a great example of what this looks like. This is a modern game console designed to play the old Gameboy cartridge. Similar devices for playing current games may appear at some point in the future, but due to copyright restrictions, such technology will almost certainly not be available for downloaded games (legally). It doesn't work. This may be a difficult point to understand, but it's worth keeping in mind if you want to collect it over the long term.
It will look great on a shelf (sometimes it comes with a bonus)
Of course, not everyone cares about this, but I like how the collection of games looks on the shelves. I like physically browsing through my collection while deciding what to play next. I also like seeing games from multiple console generations side by side.
Additionally, these games may come with useful printed materials.my copy hollow knightFor example, it came with a giant fold-out world map. I love having this on hand when playing games. Physical maps have a pleasant tactile feel that contrasts nicely with the digital world. Of course, not all games offer bonuses like this, but when they do, they're great.
Save space on your device
Downloading multiple entire games can fill up your hard drive quickly. A physical copy of the game does not add to this. Now, this way of thinking has its limits. Many games require updates and require space on your device.
You can sell it when finished
This isn't a big deal for me personally, as I tend to keep older games on hand. I know I'll probably want to play it again later. However, the good thing about buying a physical copy of a game is that you can sell the game. Today, much of the original resale value is difficult to recover. Stores that buy used games don't offer good rates, and selling on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace can be a tedious process. However, there are opportunities to reduce the costs of your gaming habits.
