Topic: Animal Crossing: New Leaf - digital vs. retail

I just wanted to address this and get the opinions of others. I've never played an Animal Crossing game but the hype surrounding it has gotten me interested in the purchase. I prefer physical media over digital, but every now and then a title like this one leaves me to consider downloading from the eShop. I do own other eShop/ virtual console games that I've downloaded, but those are all titles that I can't physically own and play on the system, so there's no other choice. There are pros and cons to both. I feel that a pro to having a physical copy is having true ownership of the game. I like the shopping experience/ hunt of going to pick up a game to add to my collection. I like the sight, feel, and yes, even the smell of the initial unboxing. It's just something satisfying about seeing that case on the shelf and saying "that's mine." For going the digital route, however, the pro is obviously convenience. I don't have to worry about swapping out a cart when ready to play. I'll always have the game with me where ever I am and I can, more accessibly, pick up and play as I please. With a life consuming game such as this one, I kind of feel that this would be essential. However, with other comparable "life consuming" titles (i.e. RE: Revelation, FE Awakening, and MH3U) I've also considered going digital, but opted for (the preferred) retail version. What do you guys think? I know that I WANT the game, I just haven't come to a complete decision as to what form factor to ultimately choose. Digital vs Retail, what's your choice?

I'm having the same problem. But I'm leaning more towards download based on how I'll prob check in every day. But not actually physically having it is a concern...what If something happens to my village?

I'm getting it as a physical cart.
I was totally on board with the downloading of it, but I had downloaded FE:A and being my totally clutzy self I deleted all of my save data on accident. I decided not to go down that path again and get the physical cart from now on. I just don't want the same thing to happen again x3.

Digital. Im getting it for the So Many Games promotion.

Ill be getting it digital, but that's only because i opted for the game as my free from the Too Many Games promotion.

It wouldn't bother me either way whether it would be retail or digital. On my 3DS i prefer to have my games digital though, but that's because i believe my games for my portable device should be just as portable as the console, and having them all there on the device is the most convenient for when im out and about.

digital just because I am going to check in a lot but not only play that game. I don't want to be limited to what I can take with me. I always want my village with me.

I'm downloading from America, so there's no promotion for me, but I'm still excited to download it at midnight so that I can get it as soon as possible (I can see that as not being a matter to many people, though). I've also been getting more and more into downloading in the first place, and with a pickup-and-play game like Animal Crossing, I'll definitely enjoy having it with me all the time. As I'm buying more of the retail games in the eShop, I'm also gathering a library of great games compacted into my 3DS, which I find attractive.
The only reasons I have to actually buy it in retail are so that I can save the Club Nintendo code and spend it whenever I want (Rather than an automatic redeem when I download) and in-store credit. Neither of those are important to me.

I see your point of having your games be portable, but for some reason digital copies just don't register as me having actual OWNERSHIP. It's just my perspective. Maybe someday it'll change. I wish we had the So Many Games promotion here in North America because I already have the qualifying games! I could save some cash and wouldn't have to worry about which to buy. @CorporalPegasus

That's one argument I have with myself when debating on which to buy

I feel the same way

I chose Animal Crossing for the So Many Games promotion, which is a great thing.
If I had to buy it, I'd have chosen digital anyway: Animal Crossing needs to ALWAYS be on my 3DS

I'd be devastated if that happened to me. I can't count the number of times I've suspended a game without saving and accidentally pressed X to exit instead of A to cancel. >

I'll be downloading it as I always want it on my system. I prefer physical copies though, I like the boxes! Also the file sizes of retail titles are too large right now...

Yeah, get your point on the ownership side of it, with the WiiU i prefer to have the disks, just on handhelds i prefer having digital.

The file size doesn't really concern me all that much. I love the boxes and manuals (or lack thereof) too. But I also always want it with me. Then I'll be able to go back and forth between that and Monster Hunter without much hassle. Idk dude, I'm so stuck on the fence it's ridiculous.

PLUS, I just cringe at the the thought of essentially spending $40 on an app. THAT'S CRAZY!

Well, that's easily solved by buying a 32gb SD card, like I did
I have Layton, Luigi's Mansion, Virtue's Last Reward, Ocarina of Time, Paper Mario, Bit.Trip Saga, Donkey Kong and Fire Emblem all stored on my card, along with VC and eShop games, and I still have 184.442 block left.

I'm getting a physical copy, because I'd rather not pay a stupid price for it.

@KingJoonToon It really does make a whole lot of sense. The point of a portable system is to pick it up and go. With games actually ON the system you don't have to worry about carrying much of anything else. But then I worry about the system's well-being tho. I'd hate for it to get damaged or stolen. Then I'd not only have to buy another 3DS, but I'd have to get all the games again too! I couldn't handle all that stress. I'm freakin out just thinking about it now Lol

If i lived in europe I would be getting it free...and If i waited to register my ds by a month I would have gotten a free game too...Can never win hahahahahha

@DanielHPoetry

Yeah that is my concern. But hopefully im praying Nintendo will sort that out and it will change to account based instead of console based.... I can dream right? lol