Katarzyna Petru
The gaming market is increasingly moving towards digital distribution, and collectors of physical editions have to contend with ever-rising prices. In the case of older consoles, such as PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Vita, the prices of rare titles can exceed several hundred zlotys. Meanwhile, many of the same games can still be purchased digitally in the PlayStation Store for a fraction of that amount. This solution, which was niche just a few years ago, is now becoming the most sensible option for many gamers.
Boxes are getting more expensive, digital remains
In the heyday of the PS3, most gamers chose physical versions. However, today some less popular titles are reaching absurd prices in the second-hand market. An example is Yakuza: Dead Souls, whose boxed edition can cost several hundred dollars. The situation is similar with Silent Hill: Book of Memories on PS Vita. A physical copy can be priced at over 800 złotych, while the digital version can be bought much cheaper directly from PlayStation Store. For many gamers, this is the moment when sentiment for boxes must give way to common sense.
Retro classics all in one place
The digital store for older consoles has one more advantage. It’s often the only legal way to purchase withdrawn classics that have disappeared from Steam or Xbox Store. On PS3, titles like NiGHTS into Dreams in HD, Virtua Fighter 2, and Jet Set Radio are still available. Additionally, there are classics from PS One, often in a cross-buy model, which means you can also run them on newer Sony consoles. For retro fans, it's a real treasure trove.
Is it worth buying digitally on old hardware today?
Although many gamers love physical collections, the realities of the market are harsh. Prices for rare boxes are rising faster than inflation, and availability can be severely limited. Meanwhile, digital versions still allow you to legally experience many forgotten titles without breaking the bank. After all, gaming is primarily about playing, not investing in plastic boxes.
Source: PPE
