Forward from the Author: Let me start by saying that I love the Nintendo Switch OLED to death. It’s my gaming platform of choice these days. It goes with me wherever I go, allowing me to get a quick session in whenever a few minutes allow. Without it, I’d be back to gaming once every couple of weeks or months. Those were sad days for sure. So thank you Nintendo for bring this product line to market. This article is not meant to offend anyone, especially Nintendo. Additionally, I don’t support the use and distribution of licensed digital games by methods not sanctioned by Nintendo. I wrote this article to help educate readers on the choices they make and what those choices mean for them. I feel it’s important to have a well informed buyer in this case, as the choices they make here can amount to hundreds–if not thousands–in hard earned cash. Ultimately, the decision is up to you the consumer.
When it comes to adding new games to your collection, do you prefer having the physical cartridge in your hands or the convenience of downloading them from the Nintendo eShop? It’s a dilemma that has divided gamers since day one. In this article, we’re diving into the pros and cons of each option, exploring game longevity, availability, discounts, sharing, resale value, storage requirements, and Nintendo’s control. So, grab your Joy-Cons and let’s jump into this epic gaming showdown!
Longevity and Game Preservation: Game On, Forever!
Imagine a world where your beloved games stand the test of time. With physical media, that dream becomes a reality. Once you’ve got that game cartridge in your hands, it’s yours to keep forever, no matter what happens to the eShop or the fate of the Switch itself. Physical copies guarantee that you can dive back into your favorite adventures years later, even if digital rights go bonkers or online servers bid farewell.
In contrast, games purchased from the Nintendo eShop are tied to your account and depend on the eShop’s availability. In the past, we’ve seen instances where certain titles were removed from the eShop, making them inaccessible to those who didn’t download them beforehand. This vulnerability showcases the potential risks of relying solely on digital downloads.
Availability and Game Removal: No More FOMO!
There’s nothing worse for a gamer than experiencing FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) when it comes to gaming. Unfortunately, the eShop has been known to make games disappear without a trace. Players who haven’t downloaded these games find themselves left out in the cold, missing the chance to embark on those digital adventures. This unpredictability can be disheartening.
On the other hand, physical media swoops in like a hero, ensuring you can play your games anytime you want, regardless of Nintendo’s decisions. Once you have the cartridge, it’s yours to play, lend, or swap as you please, without the worry of games vanishing from your library.
Deep Discounts on the eShop: Score Big Savings!
Who doesn’t love a good deal? The Nintendo eShop often blesses us with fantastic discounts and mind-blowing sales, making digital downloads mighty tempting for savvy shoppers. These sweet price drops can save you some serious cash, allowing you to build up an impressive library without breaking the bank.
However, it’s important to consider the trade-offs that come with those lower eShop prices. While you may be saving money upfront, you might be giving up certain benefits, such as the ability to share games with friends and family or the potential for higher resale value down the line. It’s a decision that depends on your personal priorities and gaming habits.
Sharing Games with Family Members: Friends That Game Together, Stay Together!
Gaming is always better when shared with friends and family. Physical media makes it a breeze to share the love by simply passing the game cartridge to your gaming crew. The joy of cooperative play, swapping games, and creating lasting memories is hard to beat. It fosters a sense of community and togetherness, making gaming an interactive and social experience.
Unfortunately, the eShop’s digital downloads tend to tie games to a single Nintendo account. This limitation restricts the ability to share games among family members or friends who may have their own Nintendo accounts. The lack of physical media can sometimes make gaming a more solitary pursuit. For sure, some will claim that it is in fact possible to share games downloaded from the eShop with family members. But considering the complexity of the steps, and the hoops you have to jump through to make this happen, it’s clear that Nintendo would prefer that you purchase a separate copy of each game for each family member.
Resale Value and Ease of Resale: Cash in Your Gaming Goodies!
Let’s talk about the green stuff: money! (Don’t get me started on that going away some day if the powers that be get their way.) Physical copies of games often hold their value better than digital downloads. If you ever decide to part ways with a game, you can sell or trade it, getting some cash back to fund your next gaming adventure. The vibrant secondhand market for physical games allows you to recoup a portion of your investment and explore new gaming horizons without emptying your wallet completely.
With digital downloads, the story is quite different. Games purchased from the eShop are tied to your Nintendo account, making it nearly impossible to sell or trade them. This lack of resale value means that once you’re done with a digital game, it remains dormant in your library, unable to provide any monetary return.
Storage Requirements and Limitations: No More Room for Games!
In the age of digital downloads, one important consideration is the storage requirements for eShop games. While the original Nintendo Switch offering 32GB, and the OLED model with 64GB of internal storage, it’s often not enough to hold a substantial library of games, especially considering the size of some titles, leading to the inevitable purchase of additional storage in the form of micro SD cards. For example, NBA 2K23 takes up a whopping 38GB on a micro SD card and an additional 8GB on the Nintendo Switch’s internal memory. The OLED Switch, with its 64GB of internal memory, can quickly fill up when games of this magnitude are involved.
To accommodate a larger library of games, many gamers turn to expandable storage options. 1TB micro SD cards with good read and write speeds have become popular choices, ranging in price from $105 to $150 US. While these cards offer ample space, they come with an additional cost, adding to the overall investment in digital gaming.
Furthermore, even if you offload downloaded games to free up space, there’s no guarantee that those games will be available for download from the eShop in the future. This issue becomes particularly relevant when considering the fate of the 3DS eShop. Nintendo has shut down the 3DS eShop, making it impossible to access and download games from the platform. Moreover, Nintendo has patched the 3DS to make it more difficult to download games through alternative methods outside the official eShop. This situation serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that relying solely on digital downloads can come with potential risks and limitations.
Nintendo’s Control and the eShop Economy:
One aspect that often goes overlooked is Nintendo’s control over the eShop and its impact on game availability. Nintendo has the authority (as it should) to determine which games are offered on the eShop and can remove titles at their discretion. This control becomes particularly evident when looking at older systems like the 3DS, where Nintendo has sunsetted the eShop, effectively pushing customers to repurchase games for their new Switch eShop to play on their new Nintendo Switch. This practice can feel like double-dipping, leaving loyal customers frustrated.
Moreover, the eShop’s economy is structured to support a degree of control for Nintendo. By offering digital downloads, Nintendo retains the power to dictate the availability of games and maintain a stronghold over their distribution. While this approach allows for greater security against piracy and unauthorized use, it also limits the freedom of players to access and play any game they desire.
The Case for Physical Media
Considering the pros and cons discussed, it’s clear that physical media offers several advantages over digital downloads from the Nintendo eShop. Physical copies provide game longevity, the ability to play offline and without reliance on servers, ease of sharing with friends and family, higher resale value, more affordable price trends over time, and alleviate concerns about storage limitations.
Moreover, physical media grants players the freedom to create a tangible collection, showcasing their love for gaming and creating a personal connection with their favorite titles. The excitement of unboxing a new game in front of your family at Christmas or your birthday (yeah, I still do that), the smell of freshly printed manuals, and the satisfaction of displaying your library on a shelf are experiences that digital downloads simply cannot replicate. Maybe that’s old-school thinking, but not an unpopular view among millions of gamers even today. I mean, have you checked out the shelves behind all the popular Switch gaming channels on YouTube and Twitch lately? They’re not filled with row after row of those magnificent red game boxes for nothing.
The Case for Digital Downloads
The decision is clear that Physical Media is the right way to invest your hard earned cash. Is it though?
Consider, the case of little Timmy Wilkins. Timmy is from a quaint town in the suburbs of New York, sitting quietly in the back seat of his parents Lincoln on a summer morning. He and his family are on their way to visit the most magical place on Earth, as a reward for all the good grades Timmy got this year. After a half hour of making chit-chat with his parents, and joining in on a few sing-alongs with his Dad, boredom finally sets in. And, it hits hard.
He reaches into his Avengers backpack which sits beside him and pulls out his Nintendo Switch travel case. Slowly, the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as he gets this desperate sinking feeling in his stomach. They’ve already crossed the Verrazano Bridge and are deep into New Jersey. Sweat starts to beads on Timmy’s forehead and nose. His eyes start to well up. Turning toward his window, he stares out into the rows and rows of trees and roadsigns that fly past. What will his parents say when they find out? He sees a sign post up ahead. He’s just crossed over into…the Twilight Zone.
That’s exactly how Timmy feels when he comes to the realization that he left his entire collection of Switch games on the floor near the night stand in his bedroom. How many times had his Dad told him to pick it up off the floor so he didn’t step on it? How many time, Timmy? In slow motion, he exclaims out loud with whatever strength he has left, “Ohhh, fudge!” Except the word he used wasn’t fudge.
And that’s the problem with physical media. You have to remember to lug all those games with you wherever you go. Having digital downloads, and a big enough micro SD card, you’re ready to deploy into action in an instant. Need I say more people?
I feel for you Timmy. I really do, bruh!
Conclusion: The Choice is Yours!
In the end, the decision of whether to purchase games on physical media or download them from the Nintendo eShop ultimately comes down to your personal preferences, gaming habits, and priorities. Physical media offers a level of permanence, flexibility, and a sense of ownership that digital downloads cannot match. It allows you to build a tangible collection, share games with friends and family, and even recoup some of your investment through resale.
On the other hand, the eShop provides convenience, instant access to a wide range of games, and occasional discounts that can save you money. It eliminates the need for physical storage space and offers a more streamlined gaming experience.
While my personal stance leans toward the advantages of physical media, it’s important to recognize that everyone has different needs and preferences. Some may prioritize convenience and the ability to access their games anywhere, anytime, while others may treasure the physicality and nostalgia associated with collecting physical copies.
Ultimately, whether you choose to build a physical shrine of game cartridges or embrace the digital future with the eShop, remember that gaming is all about the joy, immersion, and community it brings. The most important thing is to find the approach that aligns with your gaming preferences and enhances your overall gaming experience.
So, gamers, choose wisely, explore the pros and cons, and make the decision that suits you best. Whether you’re a collector, a budget-conscious gamer, a digital enthusiast, or a mix of everything, embrace the world of Nintendo Switch gaming in the way that brings you the most happiness.
Happy gaming! No pressure. Really.
(Please note that this article includes some views and opinions of the author, and do not reflect the views of AsWellToo or any of it’s affiliated companies or partners.)
