Talking Point: What Would Make You Happy To Give Up Physical Games And Go 100% Digital?

Image: Nintendo Life

While the demise of physical media has seemed like an inevitability for many years now, boutique publishers are helping to keep a passionate base of physical-only fans with a stocked game library. The scenario right now isn't ideal, with eShop releases often only getting a physical version months later (once a publisher has gauged interest and calculated an approach that isn't going to leave them lumbered with thousands of costly Switch carts in the storeroom) or with orders only open in a limited window.

Decade-old trends have suggested a movement away from physical from the big players — why create a secondhand market if you can limit resales and maximise your own profits? — although at present Nintendo seems content with the status quo. Microsoft is occupied with Game Pass and Sony's number of first-party releases pales in comparison to Nintendo, quantity-wise, so right now it's easy to imagine things just staying the same for the next generation — all the big games will still be available in physical form, if that's how you want them.

However, if the massive success of Game Pass proves anything, it's that many gamers, just like TV viewers, are content to pay a monthly fee for access without ownership, with all the uncertainties that entails. There will be people who prefer to buy their favourites regardless — naturally, as Nintendo gamers, we're in that camp through necessity. Subscription services aside, though, it's hard to deny that digital purchases on a large micro SD card pair very well with a portable console