Digital as of now, if it was all Cartrage used from generation to generation like the Gb was to GBA then I'd choose to do that, but the way it seems even modern day games seem like going digital would be practical in the long run

I love digital because it's so convenient!
I also don't have much space so it's nice not having compact discs cluttering my room!

Big fan of retail. I love something I can hold in my hands. Read the cover, look at the instruction booklet, take the cartridge out. However I hate how Nintendo is handeling their retail releases. They used to be so great. Full color pictures, a thick manual with loads of information. I love it. But no, there is no instruction booklet to speak of. Just a leaflet that tell me to look at the electronic manual. So if the price is right, I might go for digital because it is convenience and take up less space.

My Steam libary is huge, because of the cheap prices and interesting deals. But I love the big PC boxes, so awesome. I do fear however, that one day, if Steam or Nintendo decides to close servers and stuff, I can't play my games anymore. That Wii and DS games can't be played online anymore is a shame and I hate seeing it ever happen on the WiiU and 3DS which will render some games even more unplayable. It's so great to get my old grey game boy, pop in a cartridge and just play the full game. Even after all these years.

@Sneaker I couldn't agree more.
At least Sony still releases instruction booklets for their games.

Sneaker wrote:However I hate how Nintendo is handeling their retail releases. They used to be so great. Full color pictures, a thick manual with loads of information. I love it. But no, there is no instruction booklet to speak of. Just a leaflet that tell me to look at the electronic manual.

I think I recall reading somewhere that the reason Nintendo no longer includes a full instruction booklet in their retail titles is due to them wanting to be more environmentally-friendly. When one considers the amount of paper used to print instruction booklets for an entire run of just one game vs. a single cardboard leaflet, it puts things into perspective.

ON-TOPIC: I prefer digital for many reasons:
●Digital games are convenient
●Digital games take up less space
●Digital games are more environmentally-friendly (less/no paper and plastic used to produce them)
●Digital games can't be traded in, meaning no post-trade-in regrets later
●Digital games don't need to be switched out; they're always ready for you to play them

That's why I voted digital.

I understand it's for the environment, I just don't like it. They save a lot by releasing games digital. So I think they can make the retail versions special again. I even won't mind paying a couple of bucks extra just for a wonderful manual with nice artwork like in the old days. There really isn't much reason that makes the retail version more special.

I'm going 100% digital on Wii U, but I'll switch to retail again next gen and will only download DL-only games but no disc games anymore.

The reason: Prices on retail are lower.

You can often find much better sales on retail than in the eShop.
I skipped so many good games because of that.
I can't buy a game from the eShop if it exists cheaper on retail.

Examples:
Need for Speed Most Wanted U - 22,00€ retail / 59,99€ download
Bayonetta 2 - 20,00€ retail / 29,99€ download (but only if you bought Bayo1)

Games like Game&Wario, LEGO City Undercover, Scribblenauts Unlimited, and many more were 10 bucks cheaper on retail at launch! In the eShop they're still at their highest price point and never were on sale while on retail the prices drop more and more.




2.

I should clarify that at times I do prefer retail, which usually consists of bundle packages such as:

●Skylanders Starter Packs
●Disney Infinity Starter Packs
●Select Wii U software bundles

For the most part, however, I prefer digital.