In the ever-evolving gaming industry, the ongoing shift from physical to digital releases continues to generate discussion online. And, boy, it's a debate that stirs the pot unlike any other.
The long and short is this: physical copies are becoming a thing of the past, like the VHS tapes of yesteryears. Meanwhile, digital releases, which are quick and convenient, have been all the rage for the better part of the past two decades. But, as with any change, especially one this monumental, there's more to it than meets the eye.
Stalwarts believe there's something special about holding a copy of a game in your hand, especially if it contains the actual game and not just a physical box with a digital code. It's argued that you can't beat the sense of ownership, nostalgia, and connection that you get with having a physical copy over a digital version.
These folks, like this one guy who collected Game Boy copies for years, see collecting as an opportunity to preserve their memories, support local game stores, and get the thrill of the chase of finding a hidden gem in a second-hand shop.
Finally, there's the topic of game preservation. Many games these days can no longer be bought from digital storefronts, leaving the only way to access them is having a physical copy or pirating them from less-than-ideal sources.
