Katarzyna Petru
The gaming market is increasingly shifting towards digital distribution, and collectors of physical editions must contend with rising prices. In the case of older consoles, such as the PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Vita, the prices of rare titles can exceed several hundred zlotys. Meanwhile, many of those same games can still be purchased digitally in the PlayStation Store for a fraction of that amount. This solution, which was once niche just a few years ago, is now becoming the most sensible option for many gamers.
Box prices are rising, digital remains
During the glory days of the PS3, most gamers chose physical versions. However, today some less popular titles command absurd prices on the secondary market. An example is Yakuza: Dead Souls, whose boxed version can cost several hundred zlotys. The situation is similar with Silent Hill: Book of Memories on PS Vita. A physical copy can be priced at over 800 zlotys, while the digital version can be bought much cheaper directly from the PlayStation Store. For many gamers, this is the moment when the sentiment for boxes must give way to reason.
Retro classics all in one place
The digital shop for older consoles has yet another advantage. It is often the only legal way to purchase withdrawn classics that have disappeared from Steam or the Xbox Store. On PS3, productions such as 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 they can also be played on newer Sony consoles. For retro fans, it is a true treasure trove.
Is it worth buying digitally on old hardware today?
Although many gamers love physical collections, the realities of the market are brutal. The prices of rare boxes are rising faster than inflation, and availability can be heavily restricted. Meanwhile, digital versions still allow you to legally enjoy many forgotten titles without breaking the bank. After all, gaming is primarily about playing, not investing in plastic boxes.
Source: PPE
