GoNintendo 'End of Day' thought - New Super Mario Bros. 2...

[robometal cowboy]

GoNintendo 'End of Day' thought - New Super Mario Bros. 2 digital or retail?
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How the hell did we get into July already? Time seems to be flying faster than ever before. That must mean I'm getting older! Not enough time for fun, too much time on work. Pile on the issues hitting lately and I fear I'm aging at triple normal speed! Perhaps a good night's rest will slow things down. See you in a few, short hours!

As silly as it may sound, I still can't believe we are going to have the option of buying a mainline Mario game in two different forms. While some companies have been providing retail/digital versions of the same game for awhile now, this is a completely new territory for the big N. I can't think of a better sendoff than a brand-new Mario outing!

On August 19th, Nintendo is going to offer Mario fans a new game, New Super Mario Bros. 2. It's also going to mark the start of a major new initiative for Nintendo. You'll be able to get the game in traditional boxed retail form from your local game shop, or you can hit up the eShop from the comfort of your own home to grab a digital copy. Finally, the choice is up to the Nintendo fan!

There's positives and negatives for both sides of the deal, but that's what makes the choice so great. You can weigh these options for yourself and make the decision that best suits what type of gamer you are. If you're tight on space and don't have a game shop local, a digital download may be perfect. If you like displaying your game cases and having physical media, retail is the way for you.

I'm really curious to see what the split is with you guys and gals. Those of you planning to pick up New Super Mario Bros. 2, are you going to go the digital or boxed retail route? Leave us a comment and share your decision, but make sure to tell us why as well!

[YoshiRider123]

Retail. I don't expect New Super Mario Bros. 2 to be the kind of game that I'll want to sacrifice some memory to in order to have the convenience that the digital format provides.

[FuPoo]

im going with digital with whatever they will have available in the future. i travel from place to place all the time and having games stored in your portable system sounds rad and its very convenient!

[WesFX]

Retail. I have a brother with a 3DS, and he'll for sure want to play this, so I can just let him borrow it, instead of buying a second digital copy.

But, as I've said before, when I have the option, I will be very careful which format I buy. The publishers simply make much more money off a digital copy priced the same as the retail one; a good portion of the savings should be passed along to the consumer. So if I don't think they deserve extra money, they'll see a retail purchase from me. If I want them to see all the support they can get, I'll be going digital so they see more profit.

[Elfteiroh]

I'm going digital on this one, even though I REALLY like collecting the retail boxes. It's because until now, the only Mario games I ever finished where all on my 3DS, as downloadable games. I still have to finish 3D Land, and it's mainly because it's not in my 3DS right now and I'm too lazy to change the game. :O

[Olinad]

Digital: Easier, Quicker (sort of), Always with Me

[MasterofMonster]

I want it in Physical form. Always. ^^ There's something special about having the Box itself~

[wiired]

For those looking for a good pre-order deal, newegg.com has it for $29.99 (deal went live at midnight)

[Frank]

Depends on the price, since Nintendo have said they don't think digital games should be priced cheaper just because they're digital. I won't be buying it digitally if it's not a sensible amount cheaper than at retail (say £30 retail vs. £20 digital) simply because I'm not able to lend or resell it, it does make the digital copy less valuable. Not to mention retailers have the option to discount it, leaving you with a potential situation like what happened on the PSP where some games where cheaper to buy at retail and came with a cool bonus.

It also depends on save slots, since I've noticed digital titles have a tendency to only have one (though Rolling Western has two), presumably because they think/hope only one person will be playing the system. My girlfriend will want to play it too, so If the digital version skimps out in any way I'll definitely be going retail.

Having said that, it can get to the back of the queue no matter how much it costs. I still need to get Mario Kart and maybe Kid Icarus first, as well as Paper Mario and Luigi's Mansion.

So to summarise: probably retail, unless the download version really makes it worth it.

[Honoguma]

If I were getting it, definitely digital. Some games would've been better that way, like Steel Diver, OoT3D, SF643D, Pilotwings, Cave Story, etc, and I hope they eventually release digital copies for most 3DS games already out so I can download them and sell my retail copies, I prefer having non remake titles as retail and smaller games/remakes as digital.

[nintenfan1456]

For me, it's gonna have to be retail. its how I've always done it, and it adds to my collection:)

[FrenchFryGuy]

Definitely retail for me. I think I'll probably be getting all my 1st party games, especially Mario and Zelda games retail still. In the case of NSMB2, if the box is yellow/gold here as well, then that is another reason why I will go retail. I love that sort of stuff. Furthermore, factor in the Newegg deal and it's cheaper to go retail than digital to boot. It's a win win situation. At least for me anyway.

[SB22]

For me it depends on the title. I resell most of my games after a year or two, so a physical copy is the way I'll go for those. When the main Pokemon series comes out for digital download though, I'll go that route.

[Totodile]

I want to get the digital version just due to the novelty of it, however I often lend games to friends, so it may be an issue.

[Bluejuan85]

I'm going physical as I always do. I'll watch how the digital route goes and see first before I may do a change.

[MoldyClay]

Almost positive this was asked before.

I'm going retail unless the digital copy is loads cheaper, in which case, I can sacrifice the box if it means spending less money.

Also depends on the game size I suppose.

[KingBroly]

Retail. No doubt in my mind about that.

Animal Crossing on the other hand..

[Kazin]

Retail. There's something about having the actual physical copy in my hand that makes me feel like I've actually purchased the game instead of a license to use the game with flimsy terms of use.

[bobafruit]

Funny, I didn't expect to be this much in the minority here, but I'm overseas and the only way to get games is Ebay or import shops with a high markup...

So really going digital is a no-brainer for me.

But I still hope it will be reasonably priced, or they will sell download codes and companies like amazon can discount them.

We really don't know the specifics of their plan and until we do there isn't much that can be said with certainty about how we'll respond.

[Jet Pilot]

Until Nintendo establishes persistent online accounts the decision is a no-brainier.

Under Nintendo's current system if something happens to your 3DS (for example, it gets stolen) you also lose all of your digital goods. Now, losing a $4 VC game is one thing, but losing a collection of $40 digital games because Nintendo doesn't feel like setting up online accounts (even though all of my purchases are noted on my Club Nintendo account) is not worth the risk.

If something happens to my iPhone I just deauthorize that device and authorize a new one then reinstall all of my content. Very simple. Same with my Vita. If Nintendo wants to be serious in the downloadable game marketplace then they need to protect the consumer, not just themselves.

In addition, my kids share their games, so their copy will be the retail version as well.

[Meteorz]

Retail. Newegg has it for $29.99 with the Promo Code right now.
Also, from what others have said, I also agree with concerning Downloadable vs. Retail. For example, When Sonic Generations came out for the consoles, it was $60. I downloaded the same game off Steam for $30. HALF THE PRICE. Sure, the trade-off is that you need a good computer, but a Downloadable game should NOT be the same price as Retail regardless.

[YoshiRider123]

Retail. There's something about having the actual physical copy in my hand that makes me feel like I've actually purchased the game instead of a license to use the game with flimsy terms of use.

I think you're confusing the terms of use/service with the end-user license agreement. They're different contracts that deal with different concepts.

[Jet Pilot]

@Meteorz

Thanks for the New Egg tip. Just found the promo code on the front page ( EMCNCNG236 ). Already saving money by not going digital.

[beaus27]

Retail, always retail. Physical retail format, if you take care of it, you're golden! Not lost,corrupt,stolen or hacked.

[A-Zar]

Retail. I want a physical copy to have on my shelf. With digital downloads I don't have anything to show for my purchase. Then there's the problem of having to worry about transferring it to a new system and the concern for conserving system memory.