Physical Video Games Are LITERALLY Disappearing | Physical VS Digital Gaming

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 พ.ย. 2024

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  • @AsbakNL
    @AsbakNL ปีที่แล้ว +493

    It's not just physical copies, it started with game manuals I loved flipping through them

    • @erikbuhre
      @erikbuhre ปีที่แล้ว +29

      You could even go further back, towards the time when EA really meant what their company name says. You'd get so much stuff in a gamebox. The so called feelies. I really miss those things. They were awesome.

    • @B-A-L
      @B-A-L ปีที่แล้ว +14

      I remember in 1992 or 3 buying TF1942 on the pc and not only did it come with a physical map but also a ship identification book and a book about the Pacific War!

    • @teacherfromthejungles6671
      @teacherfromthejungles6671 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      there are Super Rare Games and Limited Run making physical copies with manuals and whatnot

    • @JRose-zn7iw
      @JRose-zn7iw ปีที่แล้ว +5

      And maps too.

    • @thegamingchef3304
      @thegamingchef3304 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Especially sitting on the toilet. Especially those 90s instructions manuals. It would have all the enemy types, guns etc etc. And also Magazines. I remember I could go to any store & gas station and get a video game magazine.

  • @chris10isleyen
    @chris10isleyen ปีที่แล้ว +165

    I’m so sick of physical media disappearing man it’s honestly ridiculous.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +19

      We completely agree with you on this! Cheers!

    • @ivanpabon2741
      @ivanpabon2741 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Evolve or die

    • @jamesnguyen7069
      @jamesnguyen7069 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      boomer

    • @realslimsh8y
      @realslimsh8y ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@jamesnguyen7069 clown

    • @JeremiahEmbury
      @JeremiahEmbury ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@jamesnguyen7069 your the type that would take the mark of the beast and pledge allegiance to the antichrist and Satan just to get your digital copy so the boomers rule because we can see the future of where this digital content is headed.

  • @GHOSTLINK144
    @GHOSTLINK144 ปีที่แล้ว +119

    I mainly collect physical games, when I’m forced to buy digital, I sometimes forget I even own the game. It’s really annoying. 90s kid problems 😂

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Definitely man we do that sometimes also! So frustrating! Cheers!

    • @mortiarty7842
      @mortiarty7842 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Same, got like 280 ps plus games on my ps that I haven’t even played

    • @annacurransmotherofmeghanc1841
      @annacurransmotherofmeghanc1841 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ✅ I hear you about being a 90’s kid!!! I’ve resisted the digital offensive and refuse anything past the psp!!! I’m happy enough playing Skyrim on the last system I’ll ever buy which is the PS3.

    • @officerminiwheats
      @officerminiwheats ปีที่แล้ว +5

      You don't own the game. You possess a license that can be revoked for any reason at any time.

    • @GHOSTLINK144
      @GHOSTLINK144 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@officerminiwheats facts

  • @GeorgeWeeman
    @GeorgeWeeman ปีที่แล้ว +67

    I remember how proud I was when I bought Lunar SSSC, and Lunar Eternal Blue on the PS1. They were brand new, and came with a soundtrack, a making of video, a map, and a beautiful colored instruction booklet. Hell, it even came with a necklace inside! Try to get memories like that through a digital download. I miss the 80's and 90's for gaming....It's a time that is nearly gone, and it saddens me that my 13 year old will never experience the type of joy that I did.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Ah man thats awesome! Yeah so many kids have and will miss out on making experiences they can go back to when there older! Its really sad! Cheers!

    • @wuzittooya
      @wuzittooya ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Ahh, a person of culture, I see!

    • @teacherfromthejungles6671
      @teacherfromthejungles6671 ปีที่แล้ว

      why never? google "Super Rare Games" and "Limited Run", you'll be pleasantly surprised!

    • @CoolGent87
      @CoolGent87 ปีที่แล้ว

      Major facts!! Those were the best days of gaming

    • @Black-Rat
      @Black-Rat 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Those two were top of the line RPG, and a load of fun, can already tell you that you got a big fish out there, I bought it too when it had just been originally released in the stores and played it extensively around 20 years ago, all the goodies you mentioned were there alright, but I lost the neckless because I've been moving a few times...

  • @jomoney9076
    @jomoney9076 ปีที่แล้ว +300

    I remember as a kid, going to Target and seeing row after row of pristine shrink wrapped NES games. This was before every game was behind locked glass and you could hold the game in your hand and read the box and enjoy the artwork before deciding to buy. The good old days.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +38

      Yeah I remember those days as a kid! They really were the good ole days! We didnt realize how good they were in the time! Cheers!

    • @crosswalkX
      @crosswalkX ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Sadly there are thieves and shoplifters on the rise who would be selfish to steal products from the store and cause prices to rise especially video games. I would never steal from a store, I will always be honest and pay for what I buy. I don't want to get in trouble with the police or the law.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Yeah its unfortunate people do that!

    • @DanielBrosman08211986
      @DanielBrosman08211986 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@GamingOffTheGrid When Nintendo 64 was out I remember that I needed Mario Kar 64 and it was like at Target I think and My Mother bought it for me or for my Birthday or a Christmas Gift.

    • @BM-wh5qk
      @BM-wh5qk ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I have no memory of going to Target before they kept games behind a glass door. I used to just go to Kay Bee Toys and Toys R Us.

  • @brichan1851
    @brichan1851 ปีที่แล้ว +501

    This is a serious problem for gamers. I only buy physical games, if possible. My only exceptions are when certain games are exclusively digital.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +40

      Same here! And we really have to want it too! Cheers!

    • @annearly3200
      @annearly3200 ปีที่แล้ว +36

      I bought the disk version of PS5. Because I still had ps 4 games. Disc can be cheaper you get them used or in the bargain bin

    • @OHCAM5
      @OHCAM5 ปีที่แล้ว +41

      Not even physical games are actual physical games. Most have a massive install. The disc is just a license to play it.

    • @lssjvegeta7103
      @lssjvegeta7103 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      thought of sailing the high seas? a pirate's life is a free life unchained by greedy corpos

    • @brichan1851
      @brichan1851 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      @@OHCAM5 today, so true. But back in the day, full games were on the discs. Old-school is the way to go. Retro gaming all the way.

  • @retr0dk93
    @retr0dk93 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    I think physical media will make a huge comeback in the next few years. Because people will get (and are) tired of being ripped off. Sorry. I'm t
    29. I have never bought a digital game,movie, comic, or streaming service. And I never will. I'm more than willing to go out of my way and pay more for physically media. Because I like owning what I pay for.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      We are fullt with you on this! To us we think the difference between the two are huge! Cheers!

    • @mrrayner7162
      @mrrayner7162 ปีที่แล้ว

      I have gone mostly the other way.
      As a DJ, I either have to miss out on music or could be waiting 6-8 months for something to hit a vinyl release (which, for me is less fun than using a digital version due to its restrictions and sensitivity) if I stay on physical media. I have a bunch of Drum & Bass records from the mid to late 2000s because I already own them and a small curated LP collection. I want to curate my D&B vinyl collection with better copies of tunes I love, and flesh out bits that I missed out due to budgetary constraints of being in my early-mid 20s.
      For general listening I prefer Spotify due to its ability to use your tastes to help you find similar music that you may have overlooked when it came out (or explore new genres) due to the expense of buying an album for €15-20 to maybe get 2 songs you want. Again, if I feel like I need it, Bandcamp exists.
      For movies its the same. I have some highlights on DVD or Blu Ray - mostly films that I have a connection with - but I much prefer having access to a wide library of movies and shows to either broaden my horizons of genres or have seamless access to the things I love.
      For games I do have a Switch with a small library, but seeing as I mostly game on PC my library has been digital since 2017. Technical problems with physical media and gaming has meant an all-digital future has been coming for some time to a point where basically game discs are just installers and physical DRM from the PS4 era onwards anyway (that optical media read/write speed limitation). With consoles being a closed system it makes community mods and post server shutdown support far more difficult, which is why the only console I own is a Switch.

  • @armorbearer9702
    @armorbearer9702 ปีที่แล้ว +308

    The big advantage of physical copies is that it is immune to changes. When video game companies do remakes, companies sometimes take out content that is "unacceptable" in modern times.

    • @unicorntomboy9736
      @unicorntomboy9736 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Cars to explain some examples? Or is this just right wing dog whistling?

    • @lucianocasanova8924
      @lucianocasanova8924 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ​@@unicorntomboy9736 wtf does this have to do with gaming??? Stfu wanna be intellectual savior

    • @propheinx2250
      @propheinx2250 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      The physical copy will also last longer than the digital copy. The digital copy will last no longer than the console it's installed on, and they never last that long before they crap out. If you take care of a physical copy on the other hand... I still have NES games, where well over half my ps3 library got wiped out when they removed ps3 from psn and the ps3 took a shit. Still got my hard copies though.

    • @almalone3282
      @almalone3282 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Well for the most part you can mod that content back in like Ashley's skirt is RE4 remake

    • @Evilj82
      @Evilj82 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      @@unicorntomboy9736 throughout history the OP comment is true. 10 years from now , most of the stuff today will be deemed immoral, that’s how it works with subjectivism

  • @jrit12389
    @jrit12389 ปีที่แล้ว +176

    It's concerning...digital purchases are licenses that can be removed without notice and we would not get refunded. No more owning anything, just allowing us to play until we can't

    • @tgreg9542
      @tgreg9542 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      That completely false I have digital games over 10 years old. You say that but have never seen it happen

    • @jrit12389
      @jrit12389 ปีที่แล้ว +34

      Just because you haven't personally seen it does not negate the fact it can or has happened. I have had some that I've seen on my devices that have affected my library.
      If it is installed, then sure you may not lose it, but what about people who have it digitally and the shop closes like the 3DS. Or that I have my XBox 360 with games I've purchased and when I go to re-download a game from my purchase history it says that I have a purchase but it is unavailable.
      Or the Steam users who get a notification that a producer has removed a product from Steam and it subsequently was removed from my Steam account too.

    • @poorsvids4738
      @poorsvids4738 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @@jrit12389 I have several games that were taken off Steam years ago. They were never removed from my account and I can still redownload them.

    • @familyandfriends3519
      @familyandfriends3519 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@tgreg9542 Shut up

    • @familyandfriends3519
      @familyandfriends3519 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@jrit12389 trust me dude physical media for video games are never going away digital it's just another choice

  • @jared-xn3pr
    @jared-xn3pr ปีที่แล้ว +785

    This isn't an isolated trend that only effects gaming. We are being conditioned to let go of the the things we hold dearly. LOOK AROUND!

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +99

      Definitely man! We know its happening in other aspects of life but we are a gaming channel so we talk about gaming! Cheers!

    • @jorge2004
      @jorge2004 ปีที่แล้ว +49

      Cds, DVDs sinking.....
      Digital media is new wave and a game doesn't cost $50 it cost $200 with all the add ons.
      Hate it or love it.
      I'm curious do you still carry cold hard cash? 🤕

    • @AlpineAudio10
      @AlpineAudio10 ปีที่แล้ว

      That's cause people let themselves get sucked in to all the crap around nowadays. Especially the young generation they are part of everything disappearing cause they keep consuming what we dont want.

    • @madness9651
      @madness9651 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@GamingOffTheGrid It's funny. Capitalists always claimed socialism would be disownment, now capitalism actually disowns people of their entire cultural capital. Digitalisation is madness.

    • @zid9611
      @zid9611 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Which is also why some people not buying into typical things like the housing market. If you live with next to nothing. Then there nothing to tie you to a place.

  • @alan_1414
    @alan_1414 ปีที่แล้ว +120

    I’ve always been a physical over digital media and some of my stores have been doing this lately and its very concerning

    • @Toastcat890
      @Toastcat890 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I don't like the fact that I won't be able to buy used AAA games at some point but that just means more indies and fewer AAA games in my library.

    • @TheFalazure
      @TheFalazure ปีที่แล้ว +13

      me too...the second that gaming companies go all digital is the second they lose my business frankly...I see no actual value in an all digital ecosystem for the consumer.

    • @lieffian
      @lieffian ปีที่แล้ว

      So what are you doing besides bitching about it on social media, are you leading the campaign? Or are you gonna let these companies troll and teabag you

    • @isaiahharris1998
      @isaiahharris1998 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      👍💥🎮🕹️👾

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yeah man its very concerning! Cheers!

  • @unconbentional2044
    @unconbentional2044 ปีที่แล้ว +66

    As long as there is a demand for physical media, I think there will always be small companies like Evercade that will produce products for this niche market.
    Make sure we keep supporting them!

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +7

      For sure those companies will keep pushing games out for sure! Cheers!

    • @Airik1111bibles
      @Airik1111bibles ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Not if Biden can help it.

    • @HiNRGboy
      @HiNRGboy ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Airik1111bibles bruh..

    • @svc-arcade
      @svc-arcade ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@Airik-tc7dh Biden has no say on it you fool.

    • @EstaviusMarx
      @EstaviusMarx ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree but they are expensive compared to normal retail.

  • @juleswinnfield1738
    @juleswinnfield1738 ปีที่แล้ว +171

    I agree 1,000% with you guys about keeping the physical games alive. The thing is guys our age especially me I have fond memories off going to Toy R Us or GameStop to buy some games, and the fact that I can buy a game without leaving my house is not really a memorable experience. Great Episodes guys

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Yeah and we know how special those experiences were and there will be some kids that never experience that and thats a shame! Cheers!

    • @kyvian251
      @kyvian251 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Especially the ride home and reading the manual and the back of the case too see everything!

    • @kissofthecobra3761
      @kissofthecobra3761 ปีที่แล้ว

      Physical games are going to just fall into the hands of Indie developers. You know there are plenty of hacked games and games that are created now for older consoles that are not originasl. Might seem like a far fetch but I'd be willing to buy some of those games If I had the consoles to go with them. Lots of really cool Dreamcast are Saturn games.

    • @Whalewraith
      @Whalewraith ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Back in the PS1 era I used to get paid on a Friday afternoon, buy something in my lunch break (I worked in town) eagerly read the manual & clock watch as I counted down the hours before I could get home & play.

    • @OHCAM5
      @OHCAM5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Yes but kids nowadays prefer the instant gratification of getting the game digital and just playing rather than taking the time to leave the house, go to the store, buy the game, come back, install the game then play it.

  • @TheGebs24
    @TheGebs24 ปีที่แล้ว +310

    Let’s keep physical alive 😊 It’s crazy to see the decline in physical media though. Game Pass really killed it off

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +51

      Gebs!!!! Yes, it's up to us old school folks to keep it alive as long as possible. Who would have thought we'd be the "old school" crowd. Holy hell, where does time go. Cheers!

    • @sladejosephwilson2300
      @sladejosephwilson2300 ปีที่แล้ว +40

      To hell with game pass.

    • @johnpenguinthe3rd13
      @johnpenguinthe3rd13 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      Definitely on the Xbox side of things. Physical is healthier for Playstation and Switch consoles, but it's gotten pretty bad for Xbox. Granted, for someone like me who likes physical, the physical copies of Xbox versions of games drop a lot faster in price than Playstation and Switch (I own all the consoles and take this to my advantage) but the reason why Xbox versions have their prices drop faster is because most Xbox owners use Gamepass only.

    • @Stumpfs
      @Stumpfs ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Love physical movies and games, and I buy them still. Keep the love alive for them!

    • @Pacmanfan-po9rn
      @Pacmanfan-po9rn ปีที่แล้ว +10

      For Xbox maybe, but not on switch or ps4. Xbox sucks anyway.

  • @TheLuckiNeko
    @TheLuckiNeko ปีที่แล้ว +166

    We need to keep the physical medium of gaming alive!

    • @elcaballeronyc
      @elcaballeronyc ปีที่แล้ว +6

      But most so called physical copies of game these day rarely contain the entire game or even any of game on the disc at all the disc you buy basically contain the license that authorizes you to play the download and if the developer stops supporting and or pulls a game from a platform even with the disc the game won’t work or have limited functionality because severs required to download, authorize and play will be inaccessible or nonexistent

    • @stellarhyme3
      @stellarhyme3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      No we don’t. Physical media isn’t needed when we can buy a multitude of ssd’s & hard drives to store every game we have purchased. Just keep the console or pc you played the games on & you’re good. Why have a room full of dvds when you can save space with ssd’s?

    • @familyandfriends3519
      @familyandfriends3519 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@stellarhyme3 no then we don't need theaters and physical media will never go away digital it's just there for a option

    • @marcusclarkson2657
      @marcusclarkson2657 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      ​@@stellarhyme3because there will always be the charm of owning that physical copy of the product that you used your money to buy. The PS3 games I have are real, they take up space, and the space they take up makes up for the space I made in my bank account to get them. Those games will work as long as my console does, there is nothing anyone anywhere can to to change that , barring the online multiplayer aspects. They won't expire or be shut off. They can't be corrupted like a flash drive or crash like a hard drive. They can't sell it to me again at half the price because it's a classic and they want me to pay twice for it.

    • @dawkinshater101
      @dawkinshater101 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@marcusclarkson2657 the charm to these things are in large part due to nostalgia and emotional attachment of experiencing buying the physical game or dvd. And the nostalgia can be a fun novelty, like if there is a random video store in a small town it would be cool to visit it. But the average person is not gonna change their consumers habits for a fun novelty long term. Yeah it’ll be fun to visit a blockbuster, but that doesn’t mean they prefer video rentals to the convenience of streaming. And tho there are many pros to physical media, the cons hugely outweigh the pros.

  • @randolphduke
    @randolphduke ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Another thing to think about is the fact that the government cannot track and trace which games you are playing, and when, if you are playing stand alone console games. If you have to go online and log in to play, then they can control when, if, or how long you can play. Just look at what happened to the truckers in Canada. They were protesting the government, and the government decided that they would just shut off their bank accounts. This happens all the time in China, North Korea, etc.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +5

      That doesnt sound good! But your probably right! Cheers!

    • @ryan89554
      @ryan89554 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      In china their so anti video game that they control everything and have digital id for gaming your not allowed to have fun in commie countries ha

  • @MrRoda8143
    @MrRoda8143 ปีที่แล้ว +97

    This applies as well to owning vinyl records. Just to hold that large piece of cardboard in your hands and admiring the picture or graphic illustration you're starting at, it was pure magic!

    • @paralysis_demon_hunter
      @paralysis_demon_hunter ปีที่แล้ว +8

      The funny thing about this is vinyl records are making a huge comeback and I see hundreds of new releases at Walmart and target each year

    • @MrRoda8143
      @MrRoda8143 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@paralysis_demon_hunter yup, vinyl, and even shockingly, cassette tape sales have steadily been on the rise for a few years now.

    • @GrayWolf5000
      @GrayWolf5000 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The thing is, with movies and music, there is a huge replayability factor. So getting a physical copy is without because you want to listen or watch multiple times. Unlike a game, that if finished, might not get touched again in years. Sure games can be very played for hours, but that's most likely one or two at a time. You can consume music and movies more at a time. Which makes collecting physical for those media types better.

    • @MrRoda8143
      @MrRoda8143 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@GrayWolf5000 that's a great way to look at it too! Even VHS sleeves were cool to look at!

    • @itsyaboiherman
      @itsyaboiherman ปีที่แล้ว +1

      True

  • @Steve.Cutler
    @Steve.Cutler ปีที่แล้ว +61

    I think this is helping to fuel the retro game industry.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +19

      It definitely is and those games will go up because physical collectors will buy more retro games! Cheers!

    • @NSG_UK
      @NSG_UK ปีที่แล้ว +2

      If you see the price of n64 and ps1 games, retro game industry is only for people with big pockets 😢

    • @criptin4075
      @criptin4075 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      At this point some of us just collect roms instead of physical games since its a million dollars cheaper lol..

    • @The_GenXennial
      @The_GenXennial ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Fuel the out of control prices. Been collecting for years… and it’s getting out of hand. People listing things 200% over it’s value. Pricecharting isn’t helping either. As eBay is only one avenue of the market, but it’s starting to set the standard.

  • @markludwig9280
    @markludwig9280 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    I feel like I don't actually own the game when I buy digital. Its the same with music. I grew up with buying physical games from Atari 2600 to NES, and so on. Its very sad seeing all of this happening. Thank you for your videos. Take care.

    • @AlonsoFan2023
      @AlonsoFan2023 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      This is not just a feeling. Basically, you just buy the right to play a game. With physical media, at least you own the CD or cartridge. Physical games can be given away, sold, lent or inherited. With digital games you can't do all that, you can play the game as long as it's available. You are also dependent on the seller. If a platform is closed down completely, all games are lost.

    • @markludwig9280
      @markludwig9280 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I couldn't agree more. I would say that most of my games that I own are physical games. I own (?) maybe 10 digital games vs. hundreds of physical games. Nothing will ever compare to playing the physical games on the actual consoles with the original game controllers. The look, the feel, the smell of the physical games is all part of the experience. The same with physical music albums. At 51 years of age, I seriously feel sad for the future of gaming (and music). Denying the future generations of this whole awesome experience.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +7

      You dont own the game! Its at the discretion of the company who made it! They decide to shut it down you lose the game forever! Cheers!

    • @markludwig9280
      @markludwig9280 ปีที่แล้ว

      Crazy times. Thanks for your replies. Take care.

    • @Saroku1000
      @Saroku1000 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@AlonsoFan2023 You also own the storage medium the digital download is stored on, its basically the same thing as "physical", just that the storage medium can store more than one game on it.

  • @cryptokai296
    @cryptokai296 ปีที่แล้ว +109

    Some of my greatest memories was going to the mall in the early 90s and late 80s. Going straight to the store that had only movies, music and video games and nothing else. Endless shelves of fun.

    • @Mr_Mcfeely
      @Mr_Mcfeely ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It's called FYE these days and they're still around. 👍

    • @FlashbackFred
      @FlashbackFred ปีที่แล้ว

      I don’t know if they had it where you lived, but I had place called Saturday Matinee … so dope for movies!!

    • @theprimestonecollection295
      @theprimestonecollection295 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Software etc,Babages,and gamestop✔️

    • @dsmoothb
      @dsmoothb ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ​@@Mr_Mcfeely have you tried going there lately? Sure, they still have those things, but the space has definitely shrunk considerably. Nowadays, most of their shelf space is 4 Funko Pop and other products

    • @Mr_Mcfeely
      @Mr_Mcfeely ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@dsmoothb yup idk about yours but my closest FYE still has a great physical media section for movies and music, they even have ramped up their vinyl selection over the past few year's. They do indeed have a massive wall of POPs too, you're not wrong about that but collectibles are entertainment so it fits with their brand. They were never really a big game store but for that these days I always seek out mom and pop game shops

  • @vinniecorleone62
    @vinniecorleone62 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    Like I've stated many times on my own channel defending physical games,
    "If a game is worth playing, it's worth re-playing & owning in a collection!"

  • @OriginalMasters
    @OriginalMasters ปีที่แล้ว +81

    The gaming golden age where you’d find Ocarina of Time or F-Zero GX under the tree or at the birthday party are long gone. We’re lucky to have those memories!

    • @KnucklesWTD
      @KnucklesWTD ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Except that literally still happens all the time. You just don’t interact with kids

    • @sc3ku
      @sc3ku ปีที่แล้ว

      I remember specifically getting Mario Kart 64 and Mario Golf under the tree…just ecstatic. Been trying to get physical copies for my 8 y/o nephew to keep that alive!
      My local Best Buy is a ghost town for physical games :(

    • @erockbrox8484
      @erockbrox8484 ปีที่แล้ว

      All you have to do is make more games for the older consoles and do it via physical games.

  • @TheLovelora
    @TheLovelora ปีที่แล้ว +23

    I notice that as well. But I recently went to Japan and it felt like I was a kid again. From all the option available physically I was shocked I wanted to buy everything. It’s so sad that all this stores in the us are so empty. I’m the type of person that don’t like digital I need a physical copy.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Japan seems to know whats up! Nice to see them plentful there! Cheers!

  • @latt.qcd9221
    @latt.qcd9221 ปีที่แล้ว +55

    Reading through the instruction manual and seeing the artwork for Adventure of Link, as a kid, gave me a lot more appreciation for the game and really helped set the entire tone for the game. The instruction booklet provided the story for the game and presented a much darker setting than the game lets on. That shaped my view of the game and made me enjoy it a lot more. I likely wouldn't have enjoyed it as much if I hadn't. Just getting an eShop points gift card would be extremely depressing.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Yeah it definitely lowered the level of games when they stopped giving those! Some companies still did but it was really rare! Cheers!

    • @SolidNate99
      @SolidNate99 ปีที่แล้ว

      Just scan the qr code dude 😂

  • @zinnspinne8519
    @zinnspinne8519 ปีที่แล้ว +73

    This is happening in the UK too. Most of the major supermarkets have massively reduced their game sections if not removed them entirely. It's really depressing!

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Yeah it is! So tough to see as Physical media collectors! Cheers!

    • @Klonoahedgehog
      @Klonoahedgehog ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Supermarkets carrying games?
      That's... really weird to me lol

    • @lancehill3591
      @lancehill3591 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Klonoahedgehog I mean Walmart is technically a supermarket

    • @SoulofStatic
      @SoulofStatic ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Games nowadays are absolutely garbage, no one is buying them. If they only had older games in there still but very cheap, they probably would have more sales.
      But modern gaming is trash, who's going out into stores to buy these games.

    • @NSG_UK
      @NSG_UK ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I remember the time, Morrison's sold cheap games like mr mosquito, etc. Good luck getting them cheap now. Gaming is becoming a niche, expensive market now.

  • @BigChunkySkates
    @BigChunkySkates ปีที่แล้ว +50

    So happy you made this. So many TH-camrs are selling collections and giving in to digital. There is nothing weird or strange about your hobby. Any smart person with half a brain would never trust digital. My best buy was fully stocked then just like y’all holidays came and went and they have barley restocked…I haven’t had any issues getting every game I want physical this far, but when it becomes an all digital landscape I’m done. I’ll buy maybe a game or two a year that are essential, and just collect old games…I’m in the northeast, same nightmare here :(

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Yeah there might be a day where we play only retro games! We are prepared for it but dont want to think about it yet! Cheers!

    • @SuperFlashDriver
      @SuperFlashDriver ปีที่แล้ว +7

      To be honest, I would never, EVER, sell ANY of my physical versions, whether it's VHS tapes, TV Show Discs, Consoles, anything, as long as they are working. If they're broken though, then that's more of if you're willing to find a place to store it and hopefully get it fixed someday, even if it's very unlikely that anyone can fix a second generation console like the Intellivision. When my mom threw out our Pikachu N64 console, It wasn't until years later that I realized, I wanted it back. But by that time 2007 came along, it was too little too late. To this day I'm still trying to get a Pikachu N64 console off of ebay, just that I'm waiting for the right time to get it whenever I can.

    • @jonmc6573
      @jonmc6573 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@SuperFlashDriver You can't fix VHS tape decay and CD/DVD disc rot. Eventually, it will all disappear.

    • @SuperFlashDriver
      @SuperFlashDriver ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@jonmc6573 Yes that's true, but I at least still have them in my collection, even if they don't work anymore.

    • @jonmc6573
      @jonmc6573 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@SuperFlashDriver do you really though?

  • @PunkRockZombie205
    @PunkRockZombie205 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    I mostly buy games online because I'm a bargain shopper. I've noticed the prices of physical games rarely come down like they've traditionally always done. Used to be almost every game I purchased was a physical copy because you could get that cheaper than the digital version outside of a massive sale. Now, because these companies are putting out far fewer copies, those discounts are rarely there due to there being so many fewer copies in the wild. Most of the time it's much cheaper to wait for a steep discount on the PlayStation store now. And that sucks cuz I prefer the physical copies, but I'm not gonna over pay. These video game companies want everything to be digital so that they can control the price and maximize profits. That's why you see games not getting physical releases much more often now and less copies being made when they do. It's being forced upon us slowly. We all see it, and it sucks

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +6

      We totally agree and been telling people this! If they can get people to buy the same game multiple consoles they win by makin thay extra money and cut there cost! Cheers!

  • @Taco_God
    @Taco_God ปีที่แล้ว +46

    I've noticed a lot of empty shelves at Target and Walmart, but if you ask about the game they have them in the back. They don't stock the shelves a lot of time because of theft or because they are short of workers. That said, they also have a lot less copies than they used to.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +6

      In our area they have glass cases so theft would be really tough! Yeah we think there are alot of factors involved! Cheers!

  • @notnuffnerf
    @notnuffnerf ปีที่แล้ว +38

    I was watching this on my TV while working and had to log on to my PC to comment. MAN! I cannot agree more with you guys. It makes me so sad to see the traditional gaming style we grew up with, vanish before our very eyes. I'm an 80's boy and this is heart-wrenching. I am glad I never became co-dependent with online gaming/mmo/drm garbage because I can easily just fire up any of my consoles and play my single player adventures without feeling a single lick of bother. Great content guys keep it up!

  • @kme06d
    @kme06d ปีที่แล้ว +45

    This is an interesting discussion. I was born in 1988 so I also have the nostalgia of opening physical games and consoles and being so excited over it. I grew up playing my brother's NES, but my first console was the N64.
    My niece and nephew are both under 12 now and their perception of gaming is so different. They only want ipad-like games. We had gotten them 2ds' a few years ago and they played each game we got them for all of 5 minutes before declaring "I'm done!" because they don't understand the appeal of playing a game for 40+ hours to experience a story. They want a "quick fix" 5 minutes of gameplay before moving on to something else. Now my nephew does love the switch he received for Christmas last year, but he doesn't care about physical games, he only wanted a fortnight card for in-game purchases.
    New gamers are being raised completely differently now and "quick fix" games are all they care about because their attention span is gone. That plus the "subscription for everything!" models leave people with too much choice to really appreciate what they're actually playing.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Yeah they are going to miss out on all the experiences we had and thats a shame! Cheers!

    • @Homiloko2
      @Homiloko2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      So true. Back in the old days we got one or two games for christmas and that's what we played for the rest of the year. Maybe traded a few around with friends, but that was it.

  • @AlonsoFan2023
    @AlonsoFan2023 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    In Germany, I have not yet noticed this to such an extent. The gaming department has become smaller in recent years, but you can still find numerous games in supermarkets. Then we also have a large electronics chain with Media Markt and Saturn. They don't always have all the games in their local stores, but you can check the local stock online and have the game you want delivered to your local store. You can usually get the popular games right on the spot, indie games or niche Japanese games usually have to be ordered first and are then prepared for pickup at the store.

    • @rain1676
      @rain1676 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I love you

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hope that last where you live! Enjoy it while you can! Cheers!

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Much love!

    • @midimax2998
      @midimax2998 ปีที่แล้ว

      Searching for a older PS4 game yesterday online and in the shops at the next bigger city I have to slightly disagree, not even Saturn only Media Markt I would call a descent selection (like 3+ years ago) the stock/games they listed online are strangely even less than what was available at site.
      At the end of the day I had to resort to Ebay and buy it used, for the same price as the digital version plus a addition for shipping. But because I prefer physical (happily) paid it.

  • @hanzoyamazaki2551
    @hanzoyamazaki2551 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    I think most people who buy physical copies buy them on online places like Amazon and Ebay,this kinda also happened with the blu-ray sections in stores after streaming services like Netflix blew up

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +11

      We believe thats a factor but with Amazon There is a known factor on some new or newer games of long delays getting it or out of stocks! We think they are slowly making less! Cheers!

    • @TheFalazure
      @TheFalazure ปีที่แล้ว

      Where I am there is a place called Sunrise Records which seems to be the place for physical Blu Ray movies over other retailers these days...that and physical music media.

    • @IvailoNachev-xc3zu
      @IvailoNachev-xc3zu ปีที่แล้ว

      I personally want to add that the economical situation right now is rough and there is a chip shortage hence why many people couldn't get PS5. Also where I currently live (Germany) there are a lot of physical games in stores. PS4 games are starting to disappear due to no longer being in print and are replaced with PS5 ones.
      Back in my country PC gaming is way bigger which means that most games are on Steam or Epic with combination of people being poor so there is a weak console culture. However there are still physical and e-store aside of Amazon and E-bay that distribute games for consoles.
      Furthermore combine it with the fact video game quality have dropped significantly for some time (just look at how many live service games are DOA lately) and it is likely that piracy will likely increase more. People rather put their money for their food, bills and rent than 700$-1500$ GPUs or 70$ games while their salaries stay the same and inflation increases.
      Believe me people like to collect stuff and don't trust companies like Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony who try to pull the rug bellow their feet the first chance they get. Covid however sure made a mess we will be cleaning a decade.

  • @Daniel-it1dp
    @Daniel-it1dp ปีที่แล้ว +22

    The only retail store I’ve consistently seen physical games at locally is Walmart. Target and Best Buy have been a depressing ghost town for the last year or so. However unlikely I hope in the future we look back on this time as a temporary, dark period in gaming that left as quickly as it came on besides the physical resurgence. I miss the hell out of video rental stores as well but I realize I’m in the minority.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      We miss them too man. Some of the best memories was hanging at my local rental store in Norwalk, IA which was also a card shop. It was heaven in the 90's. Cheers!

  • @jcchaconjr
    @jcchaconjr ปีที่แล้ว +20

    That tangible experience is EXACTLY what makes people feel nostalgic. The memory of opening that box/case, taking that cart/disc out… reading the manual (when we had manuals)… it makes me wonder if people who will grow up on nothing but digital games will even have that same nostalgia years from now?

    • @zid9611
      @zid9611 ปีที่แล้ว

      Nope. There are 18 years old now that have only know the ps3/360 gen up. Alot of them go to PC long term.

    • @mike91mdk45
      @mike91mdk45 ปีที่แล้ว

      "So anyways kids, i entered the code and the game download began. Watching the bar fill up was a rush." Ehh. Just doesn't sound as memorable, does it?

  • @tonypeters7504
    @tonypeters7504 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Arcade games that you actually put a quarter into inside of game rooms will always be the ultimate fun experience.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Heck yeah! We love arcades! We go to a place called uptown in our area a Huge arcade all the time! Cheers!

  • @radioclash8175
    @radioclash8175 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I really miss the days when the games had manuals that were practically strategy guides-I remember getting Desert Strike for my Genesis, and that manual had a breakdown of all the items, ammo, enemies, etc.

    • @THENEVERDEADIV
      @THENEVERDEADIV ปีที่แล้ว

      The ps2 version didnt even run past 30fps.. the GC did.. i feel bad for any blind person who says the ps2 version looked better.. I have always been a sony fan over a nintendo fan but the GC version was way better in performance and visuals.. just like how the ps2 version of scarface had better visuals than the xbox version but gta shined on the xbox

  • @tommydplayskeys
    @tommydplayskeys ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Patches make it harder too if you love physical. The ideal physical copy is that later-released reprint or Complete Edition, which may include some DLC, but crucially the version of the game with the launch bugs fixed. Cos you know those patches won't be available forever.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +7

      True or some small developers with the love of retro games make full complete physical games! There not household titles but we have found so really great games that are hidden gems this way! Cheers!

  • @rsoub4086
    @rsoub4086 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Here in Canada in Walmart is full of games but best buy and other store is little in stock.
    After all, am not buying release date any game because paying 60 buck for a a disc only, no manual, no stickers no map.
    I just buying them in 20 bucks

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Glad your area is still got stock! Fully understand that! Cheers!

  • @troywilson7845
    @troywilson7845 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    My Walmart today actually had quite a few copies of games today. My issue was finding an employee to open the case to buy Metroid Prime. I took me 15 minutes to do so. No wonder most sales today are digital.

    • @MrOiram46
      @MrOiram46 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That’s pretty much the case (pun intended) with any products that are locked in a shelf; I have to wait around the same time when I want to get a can of spraypaint

    • @alejandrocoria14
      @alejandrocoria14 ปีที่แล้ว

      I waited 20 mins for a box of condoms at Walmart 🙄

  • @VybeX-
    @VybeX- ปีที่แล้ว +59

    Anytime I mentioned that Gamestop could possibly suffer the same fate as Blockbuster and Hollywood video I'm always met with "No it won't gaming is too profitable etc for that to happen" okay well....explain this?

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +13

      No your spot on! People just like to doubt people! We deal with it daily! Ganestop was kinda struggling before this become such an issue also! Cheers!

    • @SuperKamiHemo
      @SuperKamiHemo ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I always answered if they doing so well why they swap to a spencer's model of becoming an overall geek T-shirt plush store over a gaming store?

    • @gondorianslayer4250
      @gondorianslayer4250 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      blockbuster is coming back actually.

    • @pyrophobia133
      @pyrophobia133 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      the distribution method changes, but not the media itself, will it crash? that's probably coming in a bit given what's happening...

    • @artate92
      @artate92 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      its not that it isnt profitable, distribution methods are changing. its like movies.....the movie industry does numbers but once streaming dropped the game changed

  • @drunkenbuttons606
    @drunkenbuttons606 ปีที่แล้ว +80

    Everybody is hoarding the physicals, because it's trendy to mark them up for resale. As long as people are paying outrageous prices for these games in the aftermarkets, this trend is going to continue.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Interesting and something we didn't really consider. I'm sure that is a contributing factor. Cheers!

    • @mutha_sucka
      @mutha_sucka ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Eh. a bunch of physical copies selling on eBay have been cheap. Haven’t seen any price increases on popular Xbox/Playstaiton/wii/etc. items. But definitely something to keep in mind for the future

    • @DP12321
      @DP12321 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Companies like Limited Run are turning physical into a premium commodity instead of just "the norm" 😢

    • @KalaVerag
      @KalaVerag ปีที่แล้ว

      Yup I saw a dude selling the RE remake for 80 dollars and before that, i saw a dude selling Howard's legacy for 120.
      Is crazy

    • @willissudweeks1050
      @willissudweeks1050 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      You can only do that with certain games. You can’t go just buy call of duty and then go home and resell it for more lol

  • @siobahnhurley85
    @siobahnhurley85 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    If you think about it, this is just another route corporations are taking to turning younger generations in to renters. Blackstone, and Blackrock have been doing that to houses since 2008, iTunes is doing it to music, and now it’s movies and video games. We rent the digital until they discontinue it or change it.
    Just wait, vinyl has made a comeback, so are CDs, physical copies or things from the 90’s and older, are coming back. We will have the last laugh.
    Edit: I so remember those wrestlers pillows!

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Hope so! Worst comes to worst there is retro gaming stores and we can play retro! Cheers!

  • @chaosli9040
    @chaosli9040 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Here in Australia, physical triple A games costs around $70 and digital counterparts always costs more like $100.

    • @Kiev-in-3-days
      @Kiev-in-3-days ปีที่แล้ว +5

      And you can sell your physical copy when you'r done with it. That lower the price even more.

    • @teacherfromthejungles6671
      @teacherfromthejungles6671 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      how high are prices of used copies in Australia tho?

    • @2Acharmcity_Gamer
      @2Acharmcity_Gamer ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Wow that’s crazy that a digital copy would cost more then a physical copy. Interesting to see how different things are in different parts of the world.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yeah thats absolutely ridiculous! Cheers!

  • @ExtraZero
    @ExtraZero ปีที่แล้ว +24

    Here in MD there’s a lot of physical still at my Target, Walmart and Best Buy. The biggest challenge is actually finding someone at Walmart or Target to actually open the case so you can get the game you want.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Lol yeah we experience that! Sometimes we have to walk up to the cashiers until we see someone and they dont like being asked if they can get someone! Cheers!

    • @Doors067
      @Doors067 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Can confirm

    • @joecoxmaul
      @joecoxmaul ปีที่แล้ว +3

      facts, there’a been a handful of times i’ve been in a hurry and just said the hell with it and not get anything out of the case

  • @JT-ke4up
    @JT-ke4up ปีที่แล้ว +16

    I think all stores are pushing online ordering or a store pickup. The shop doesn’t have to stock a large inventory and can ship it next day or same day for pickup.

    • @JT-ke4up
      @JT-ke4up ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I just bought an OLED switch from a local target and was able to get same day with 2 games.

    • @eliv.1033
      @eliv.1033 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah I have been ordering my games online now for the past couple of yrs from BB, 🎯 & amazon.🤔

  • @averageaussieentertainment1817
    @averageaussieentertainment1817 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I've been buying alot of physical stuff lately as I'm kinda against digital for similar reasons you have, but I also goes alot further than just gaming and entertainment.
    There's a saying floating around "you will own nothing and be happy"

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes it is! Very popular saying for this video 😂! Cheers!

    • @zacharyrollick6169
      @zacharyrollick6169 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's why I fight again game streaming services so hard. You don't even have the HARDWARE in your possession. It's an extremely slippery slope.

  • @jc4446
    @jc4446 ปีที่แล้ว +92

    Absolutely. It’s sad . Even the recent re4 remake went out of my way to buy physical copy , but the case is soulless … nothing in it but cd . You go to target , Best Buy , it’s sad . When my kids and I walk through the isle I always reminisce and tell them how packed the isles were of games at one time … it’s sad…

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Again, we knew it would come to this but seeing it person in aisles that look like they are from the Walking Dead is weird to see. Crazy times. Thanks for watching. Cheers!

    • @Pathogenetic333
      @Pathogenetic333 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      At least the Xbox disc for RE4 has the entire game on it! It sucks when the disc has 10 Mb 😂

    • @blacksunshinegaming
      @blacksunshinegaming ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I went to best buy last week to pick up a ps5 and there was maybe only 20 games with all 3 consoles. It is sad

    • @Nicomanism
      @Nicomanism ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Lol yeah .

    • @nonyabiz9340
      @nonyabiz9340 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Toys r Us.... KB toys...

  • @mattb6522
    @mattb6522 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Good video! It is disappointing to see physical copies of games becoming a thing of the past, but it does make sense that digital game stores are more popular in this day and age. I think we all knew it was inevitable that physical copies of games would be phased out, but still is disappointing.
    If you grew up with some of the "retro" consoles as a kid, you knew how exciting it was to have a boxed copy of a game (sometimes with a full-color manual filled with art). There was just something special about having a physical copy and your games collection displayed on your shelf.

  • @jerminator0688
    @jerminator0688 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I’ve never noticed that where I live in Florida. I usually don’t shop at Target. Their video game section is very limited. Best Buy and Walmart seem to be fine as far as video games.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Glad to hear your area is still doing well! Cheers!

  • @milehighscore2083
    @milehighscore2083 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Totally the case in Central Florida. Had some extra cash and went to Best Buy and target to buy some games. They had like nothing.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Dang its sucks when you get excited to go buy a game and there isnt anything! Cheers!

  • @Carlos-qd4dq
    @Carlos-qd4dq ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Even gamestop is lacking physical games! They have more action figures, t-shirts, and accessories than actual videogames. That said, I have been buying most of my physical copies on Amazon, and on occasion Walmart and ebay.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah gamestop is barely hanging on in our opinions! Cheers!

  • @continuallyblessed44
    @continuallyblessed44 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    My small town Walmart is still fully stocked with physical copies. For stores with faster moving inventory I can see this being a thing.

    • @16xthedetail76
      @16xthedetail76 ปีที่แล้ว

      Here in Australia every store is basically stacked

  • @gamrage
    @gamrage ปีที่แล้ว +37

    Physical copies are indeed vanishing off the shelves here where I live. I kind of miss the days where you could try out the games at the stores and buy them if you enjoyed them.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Yeah its becoming a thing of the past! Cheers!

    • @troyshepherd1323
      @troyshepherd1323 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      How ironic you talk about things of the past while wearing an MTV shirt.

    • @jamesm47766
      @jamesm47766 ปีที่แล้ว

      My local Walmart has like tons of games. No one's buying them apparently. It's shocking that some Walmarts don't even carry that many games. That could mean everybody's buying it or that can mean It's not being made anymore or as much but I do notice when you go into GameStop I see so many games that are on clearance for PlayStation switch and Xbox because they're not selling as well

    • @NSG_UK
      @NSG_UK ปีที่แล้ว +2

      We miss the old ps1 demo discs

    • @criptin4075
      @criptin4075 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@NSG_UK We need more demo disks!! When I got my original playstation when it came out the only game I had was Crash Bandicoot and the demo disk. I played the crap out of that demo disk once crash got boring.

  • @derekmccluskey4931
    @derekmccluskey4931 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I'm so glad someone is covering this. Best buy target Walmart all the games are gone.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yeah its tough to see this is the eay things are going! Cheers!

    • @thespectraldogg1277
      @thespectraldogg1277 ปีที่แล้ว

      You mean the physical ones right?

  • @johnmecca9008
    @johnmecca9008 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    This is not happening at my Walmart, Target, etc… YET!! It’s weird because I remember a few years ago, my BestBuy’s DVD/Blu-ray section turned into a ghost town in like a week. But now, at the same Bestbuy, that section looks healthy again. So I wonder if it’s just momentarily for your area. I’d like to hear an update on your stores a few months from now.

    • @jamesm47766
      @jamesm47766 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Maybe people are deciding to actually buy games again. That could be a possibility and maybe 2023 is the year that people are buying more games and DVDs because my local Walmart has tons of DVDs and games but they did shortened the CD section. Probably because CDs aren't selling as well the same thing happens at my local Target. They decided to make the DVD section a lot smaller last year so they don't sell as many but they kept the video game section the same and I always see tons of video games at target

    • @ramoraid
      @ramoraid ปีที่แล้ว +1

      My local target, gamestop and Walmart look healthy with physical copies but really they are keeping the bare minimum. They look like Fry's electronic stores a few years before they closed. All their inventory is already on the shelfs and none is at the back.

    • @finkamain1621
      @finkamain1621 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      There's going to be less variation of physical games on shelves anyway as the cost and time of making games goes up so there's a lot less AAA games on shelves like there were in the GameCube/Xbox/PlayStation 2 era. Many indie devs simply cannot afford to create physical copies but sometimes they do upon release and others become physical if they sell really well like Shovel Knight

    • @johnmecca9008
      @johnmecca9008 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@jamesm47766 I sure as heck hope you are right.

    • @johnmecca9008
      @johnmecca9008 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@finkamain1621 I think you are right about that.

  • @FacultyFan
    @FacultyFan ปีที่แล้ว +19

    I noticed this probably 15 years ago with big box PC games. You used to be able to find a PC game section anywhere you went. All through the 90s and early 2000s, then the mid 2000s hit and all the PC games starting drying up. That was because digital distribution was starting to take off (Steam). The consoles seemed unaffected at the time (but I think Microsoft was pushing for subscription/digital as back as far as the xbox 360).Anyway, yes, Nintendo is probably the only console/software publisher that has fought hard to stay physical, but even they're starting to go to online services. Anyway, all this is to say, I guess it's inevitable, as Thanos says.

    • @sly2792004
      @sly2792004 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Stores here have pc section which is odd for me as most laptops and pcs made today don’t have a cd drive. I’d have to get a usb cd drive to play physical games.

    • @gondorianslayer4250
      @gondorianslayer4250 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      valve is secretly killing any physcial media.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah we knew it was inevitable but was hoping we would have alot more time! Cheers!

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Really? Thats odd!

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      They are all doing it!

  • @junfaa
    @junfaa ปีที่แล้ว +26

    This might be due to the fact that people who buy physical games tend to buy them online and have them delivered. We might start to see places like target start keeping their games in warehouses instead of taking up space in stores. Amazon is a huge one too. I make a lot of game purchases on Amazon. I'm really hoping it isn't just that they are manufacturing less discs.

    • @OutofTime..
      @OutofTime.. ปีที่แล้ว +3

      So once again it's Amazon ruining an industry.

    • @geezus7833
      @geezus7833 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@OutofTime.. it's the average consumer who doesnt want to waste gas money just to buy one game who is ruining the industry. It's not amazons fault people prefer to buy things online.

    • @Klonoahedgehog
      @Klonoahedgehog ปีที่แล้ว

      For me at least that's accurate.
      Over the past 5 years or so i can count the amount of games ive bought in person on one hand, most of the physical games ive bought have been through Amazon.
      Thought that's still probably not full proof, one of the games i bought last year had problems with physical stock because the company didn't realize there was such a demand for physical copies.

    • @Bustermachine
      @Bustermachine ปีที่แล้ว

      @@geezus7833 That, at least, I'll agree. Though I like browsing a proper gamestory from time to time, I suspect that itch will be scratched in the future by more general 'second hand media' shops like Book Off, assuming physical media retains some popularity.

    • @jorge_m-h4g
      @jorge_m-h4g ปีที่แล้ว

      @@geezus7833 so you rather wait for days to come to your house rather than getting it now? You only want to pay things online because your too lazy to get out of your house and see all the stuff in stores so you can pay it immediately.

  • @takomomo2121
    @takomomo2121 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    I absolutely love collecting disks. Games… movies… it feels way cooler to pop in CD. I knew this was gonna happen so I’ve been collecting!! Also… you can trade games with friends, let them borrow, and bring the games with you everywhere. When it’s virtual.. you’re kinda stuck.. ughhhh they better not stop printing disks. Or make less….

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +5

      You are completely correct! Physical will always be the best form of buying media! Yeah unfortunately we think they will! Cheers!

  • @kenniron6313
    @kenniron6313 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I prefer physical copies of games, but when they started being $60+ a piece and the used games market started going downhill, I haven’t been able to afford many games brand new. So I have to wait for an online sale or something in order to get them. Which is why I only have like 7 or 8 Switch games even after 5 years of having the console because Nintendo is so bad at having sales on games. Almost 10 years with my PS4 and I only have a dozen or so physical discs as well (granted I had more that I traded into GameStop years ago to put towards others). I love being a small collector of the games/franchises I love, but it’s sad how increasingly difficult it’s becoming. My kids will probably be growing up on my old ps2 and ps3 consoles until they hit middle school.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Not to sound bias but we think they will enjoy those consoles more lol! But yeah we fully understand where you are coming from! Its frustrating! Cheers!

  • @rubeng370
    @rubeng370 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Shockingly, GameStop still has physical copies. But they have less in my stores, by sometimes not having certain PS5 games on shelf. Somedays I don't see Returnal, Demon's Souls, Requiem 2, or MW2. It's crazy

    • @resiefan3258
      @resiefan3258 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Those games where never realy popular anyway.

    • @JoshuaFreakyVenomFan
      @JoshuaFreakyVenomFan ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ​@@resiefan3258 Those games are very popular, I work for a company who manufactures physical media, and Demon Souls is a very high demanding game wanted physically, as well as Returnal and the other title he mentioned as well.

    • @teacherfromthejungles6671
      @teacherfromthejungles6671 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@resiefan3258 if you don't like something, it doesn't mean it's not popular.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah our has games but its very low also! Cheers!

  • @alanm6634
    @alanm6634 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    This video hit me right in the seeds. I knew it was coming but it seems to be gathering pace. Part of the gaming experience for me is the awesome box art, the way the spines look on my shelf, the manuals…but most importantly the memories attached to those games, the people you played those games with. So sad.

    • @undefined7141
      @undefined7141 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Makes perfect sense. Why travel to buy a game, when you can get it instantly.

    • @kcadventures1454
      @kcadventures1454 ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@undefined7141I was all about it during the 360 days, but when my hardrives fried and I tried to redownload all of my games back I noticed a bunch were unavailable. Never again.

    • @adamthiry868
      @adamthiry868 ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@undefined7141cause digital downloads suck

    • @mrjojo2836
      @mrjojo2836 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@undefined7141explained in the video.

  • @craigemery856
    @craigemery856 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I've noticed this myself as a switch collector. I ONLY buy physical when I can unless I'm not going to open something so I get it digitally also. There's plenty of people who still want physical games. I just don't fell like I really own a game digitally and you can't sell a digital copy if the game sucks. There's nothing like having a case with a cartridge in your hand or taking the plastic off a brand new game. While we are on this subject can we get physical game manuals back? Man do I miss flipping through those! Thanks to the publishers that still have them what a shame...

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Love this comment so much! You said everything we think! Cheers!

    • @zacharyrollick6169
      @zacharyrollick6169 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Manuals were amazing tutorials, tips, lore.... so cool. But so many ungrateful people would throw them directly into the garbage with the box. It's why some manuals outprice their games.

  • @BigMoliSmooth
    @BigMoliSmooth ปีที่แล้ว +23

    There's nothing like having a physical copy with my video games and books. I feel when I hold a physical copy of a video game or book, I can appreciate that person's hard work. I support the small business retro video game stores. The memories of my first console which was the Sega Genesis, I can still remember and I still have it to this day. It's happening out here in California too. I went to Target and the shelves were empty. I have my collection of NES, Genesis, N64, PS1, PS2, Dreamcast, and GameCube.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Well said! Glad you have your old consoles and games and alot more people will go more retro if they arent already when that happens because too many people want physical! Cheers!

  • @joshduehr2898
    @joshduehr2898 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    That is why I try and support my local mom n pop video game store. Here in IA. Amazon gets physical copies but the last 3 I have bought ( pre ordered like a month before release) show up 3 days later.

  • @christopherdavid9100
    @christopherdavid9100 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    at both of the local walmarts near us , not only is it exactly like you guys have described it, BUT ...they also decreased the amount of shelf space dedicated to physical games. so that means the length / aisle size has shrunk down to maybe half or slightly bigger than half.i still pre order my games physically from various stores (including but not limited to Amazon, Bestbuy, etc etc) and yeah there may be a slight delay , but i'll take the delay over buying the digital. i've bought a few digital games here and there , but 99% of my collection is physical.. i'm a physical gamer, it's like you said the memories, the ability to go back whenever and replay the games, etc

  • @franklinwhitley4842
    @franklinwhitley4842 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    It's the same thing in Florida, we have to buy them off of Ebay for higher prices.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Sorry to hear that man! Its crazy how things are changed from the way they use to be! Cheers!

  • @markh351
    @markh351 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    There's definitely good and bad on both sides when it comes to physical versus digital. On PC, physical games mostly completely disappeared years ago. Where I live, both Walmart and Best Buy especially have shrunk their physical game selection but Walmart is still pretty decent overall. The vast majority of their games are locked behind a glass cabinet with the side of the cases showing, not the front covers.

  • @Socherbal
    @Socherbal ปีที่แล้ว +19

    I noticed this recently. My local stores aren’t wiped like yours, but the selection at my GameStop was incredibly threadbare compared to what it was 10 years ago. The Nintendo switch shelves were incredibly small and there just wasn’t that many games. I asked if they had Metroid prime remastered and the guy said he only had 1 copy and it sold the day before. I then went to my local Walmart. They had a much better selection, but still no Metroid prime. I asked the guy if they had it in the back or something. He said the same thing. He said they are receiving much less from the suppliers and they will only received 1 copy of Metroid prime. I’m hoping it is a supply issue. The game companies definitely want physical to go away, but I think if it does, the market as a whole will rebound 10 years from now. The value of physical will shoot through the roof, whereas your digital copies have absolutely no value. As soon as companies get lazy and start removing games en masse and people start losing access to games they thought they owned, the industry will change again. Just like everything else, the oblivious normies have to wake up before anything changes. I’ve already lost access to a digital game I paid full price for and it changed my entire mindset. Let it happen to a bunch of people, and things will change

    • @AdamsBrew78
      @AdamsBrew78 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@captaindestruction9332 Except for Apple, that’s mostly true. I’ve had iOS games completely pulled from my account on two or three occasions. Steam has been rock solid though. Nintendo, not so much - On the Wii channel of my Wii U I had purchased a couple Wii games that are no longer on my account.

    • @ogre706
      @ogre706 ปีที่แล้ว

      My digital games won't bit-rot at least, and I don't have to pay a 200% markup on any particular game since nothing is "rare" in the digital world.

    • @Socherbal
      @Socherbal ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ogre706 they aren’t “your” games. You are leasing them

    • @Socherbal
      @Socherbal ปีที่แล้ว

      @@captaindestruction9332 mostly true, but not entirely correct. I’ve already lost access to 2 digital games that I “owned”, Alan wake and too human. I’m pretty sure there are more but I own so many it is hard to keep straight

    • @ogre706
      @ogre706 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Socherbal A lease that never ends, as my digital games/roms can be quite legally backed up and restored at any time. Your physical media on the other hand eventually will come to an end, and then what?
      Now, cloud gaming is another story and something I refuse to support.

  • @retrobear9367
    @retrobear9367 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    I absolutely hate the pricing of digital vs physical media. IMO, digital should be at least 5-10 bucks cheaper. Which leads me to say...thank you Steam, I love your amazing sales! Side note, that gameboy carrying case in the back. I so wish I still had mine. I loved that thing.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      They definitely should be! Less cost! Yeah we love that case! Cheers!

    • @Kevfactor
      @Kevfactor ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The stores are the ones keeping the prices lower. Look at d4

  • @skull4squadron
    @skull4squadron ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Here in Los Angeles none of the stores have any physical games. Been like this for a good while.
    I am also concerned about this since owning a digital copy at the end of the day means you don't own anything .

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      That is spot on and its scares us also! We even consider going 100% retro if it happens! Cheers!

  • @tevin3916
    @tevin3916 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    The stores near me are pretty much full of games, but I think you guys made solid points

  • @johansermartinez9287
    @johansermartinez9287 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    As a filmmaker who works in the industry I feel the same with movies. More and more we’re seeing movies released for streaming and not in cinema…. It’s so sad.

    • @ancientflames
      @ancientflames ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Both of those are digital though.

    • @ryans413
      @ryans413 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Directors are fearing that there new movies will no longer be shown in theatres because of streaming. We might see movie theatres go bye bye to streaming. Sounds crazy but if someone told me Blockbuster would never shut down I’d believe them.

    • @johansermartinez9287
      @johansermartinez9287 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@ancientflames that is not the point my man

    • @damienhansen7553
      @damienhansen7553 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      My buddy is a huge film buff, he dedicated most of his house to bookshelves of physical copies from floor to ceiling, all cataloged, it warms my heart when I go by.

    • @TheViolator91
      @TheViolator91 ปีที่แล้ว

      Making shitty 40 second “short films” doesn’t mean you’re in the the industry.

  • @AdamJX602
    @AdamJX602 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I was told this wasn’t true for the US, but here in the UK, physical games are always cheaper.. by a lot… day one release games are £50-60 digital, physical day one can easily be £40. Then there’s sales… so physical here is often about saving money. After a few months, games that are still £50 digitally can be £10 in stores

    • @streamingnowstreamingnow2568
      @streamingnowstreamingnow2568 ปีที่แล้ว

      Here is Canadia Digital is hella cheap after a year or so, hence the "Netflix Tax".
      I used to get more for my dollar then the "Netflix Tax" happened when I could get an extra game or a Dlc Costume or something now you can forget about it.

  • @ExSpatchForDispatch
    @ExSpatchForDispatch ปีที่แล้ว +5

    It's the same here on the East Coast. I've been having many internal debates on moving to digitals. Digital games now come with more in game perks and are downloaded/installed 2 days early, so you don't waste hours on release day.
    As someone who values collecting steelbooks, this has been driving me absolutely insane. I hope companies make steelbooks or physical collectors items purchasable seperately one day.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      We love steelbooks also! That would be a good idea! Cheers!

    • @maskofacryingclown3
      @maskofacryingclown3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I go through the same debate. If it's a game that I really don't care about. I'll buy it digitally, which is rare tho. If a sale on a game is dirt cheap that I don't really want to play, but to have just to be there on a rainy day. I'll buy it.
      But yes. I actually just got into steel books. Always been into strategy guides tho. They still make those. I saw a Forspoken strategy guide at Barnes and noble, and I was like yyeah I'm buying this. I love strategy guides haha.

  • @jbway86
    @jbway86 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    I'll never forget getting my SNES Christmas of '92. It was bundled with Super Mario World. The manual was so magical that I use to carry it with me to church and read through it like a book while in attendance lol. I miss those days. The art work, the tips, etc was all in the manual.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Those were definitely the days! I can remember all those experiences of the 90s going to get games or getting them for birthdays and Christmas! That cant be duplicated! Some of the younger gen will never experience that! Cheers!

    • @mike91mdk45
      @mike91mdk45 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That excitable, tangible feel was real. Created memories

    • @supersaiyaman11589
      @supersaiyaman11589 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      i bought a snes a few years ago an a saga genesis my nostalgia went cold once i realized the games had a hard time staying clean. i also realized the games were outrageous prices so digital is much more reasonable. their are even sales in winter and summer wene i buy most of my games. the exception would be games like final fantasy 7 remake witch i bought for full price as i rely like the game.

  • @scott762mm
    @scott762mm ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I was in Best Buy yesterday and it was really depressing. Very few games, empty shelves, and no one was in the store.

    • @2Acharmcity_Gamer
      @2Acharmcity_Gamer ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Most of the time bestbuy keeps the games up at the front behind the counter. But the stores do be pretty empty these days.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah man its so tough to go into these stores and see that! Cheers!

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      When we ask they say they dont but all stores are different!

  • @def_leppard_junkie
    @def_leppard_junkie ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Great video and conversation. Here in Minnesota I definently have been seeing the empty game shelves at Target, Best Buy, and Walmart for a while now. I always like to look because I love collecting physical media especially if it is a collector's edition that comes with an art book. I suppose in the future we all will have beautiful museums within our homes to enjoy because I'll never sell my treasures. 💜

  • @thepatriot2603
    @thepatriot2603 ปีที่แล้ว +62

    You guys made me tear up a little bit! I’ve been noticing the same thing, and I still collect physical copies of games when I can! Hell, I still do it with movies, Blu-rays and DVDs because I don’t trust the digital market. you guys earned a new subscriber today. God bless the both of you.🙏🏼

    • @jaysonovo4778
      @jaysonovo4778 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hell, media enterprises across the board are literally deleting entire episodes and self censoring episodes to pander to the woke.
      Thats where physical media is so superior, because it's a piece of history, and it has value.
      Digital = zero ownership. Ownership leads to networth.
      Agenda 2030 weirdos with the World Economic Forum want humans to own nothing.
      They envision a future where we all rent homes, rent cars, own nothing.
      That's horrible because us owning our items helps build us up financially so we don't need to always rely on working daily for income.
      Owning nothing means building zero value.

    • @yoko_bby
      @yoko_bby ปีที่แล้ว +3

      We are going to re enter the hay day of burning CDs and pirating

    • @thepatriot2603
      @thepatriot2603 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@yoko_bby we pretty much already have!!

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thanks for subscribing! We appreciate it! Cheers!

  • @gar10gaming60
    @gar10gaming60 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    If physical games go away, i would just stop buying games as there won't be any point of doing that anymore. It doesn't make sense to pay money for just a licence to play a game instead of buying a game. If gaming goes all digital and i really want to play a game, i would just pirate it as i feel like even piracy is better than buying games digitally

  • @BobBobOnYouTube
    @BobBobOnYouTube ปีที่แล้ว +11

    It's happening in England too. My local Tesco, Asda and Morrison's all have reduced the size of their gaming sections. I'm pretty sure HMV have stopped selling games. CEX and GAME are still the same but there's definitely a shift coming.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah we see it happening everywhere sooner than later! Big shift coming! Cheers!

    • @Talos2kX
      @Talos2kX ปีที่แล้ว

      Avoid CEX, they will rob you blind.

    • @naruto21048
      @naruto21048 ปีที่แล้ว

      Morrisons still sells games?

    • @raychii7361
      @raychii7361 ปีที่แล้ว

      The difference is the US has good discounts on physical game's. The rest of the world you have to pay way more.

  • @IowaRetroGamerDad
    @IowaRetroGamerDad ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Damn this video is blowing up! Great job guys. Only thing I've noticed physically lately is that my Walmart doesnt seem to want to carry clearance games anymore.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Yeah it is! We can never figure out what we do differently! Yeah they arent here either! Cheers!

  • @sigelsegal2297
    @sigelsegal2297 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Watching 2 different neighbors challenge each other to beat OOT and having one of them beg me to tell him how the other one got into the well when I was 6 years old and me caving because he said he would let me borrow it after is peak 90s nostalgia.

  • @mpklub
    @mpklub ปีที่แล้ว +18

    Man, this video hit me right in the feels.
    I'm in Columbus, OH and don't check out retailers too much, but at the Best Buy and Meijer I've frequented they didn't seem to be as bare as by you guys. But it's definitely not what it used to be.
    I'll be physical for life. At least as long as they let me. At that point I think I'll just be a retro gamer. Even with the PS4 era. I can still play those games offline if I want. I also make sure to always install games when I get them and then back up the hard drive so I have patches installed so I can hopefully enjoy these games when I go back to them (because I know I will one day).
    Also, like you guys, still loving old school zombies. I think Black Ops III zombies gameplay is fantastic, but Black Ops 1 and World at War are phenomenal and the OG. Hard to top those two.

    • @tommymaxey2665
      @tommymaxey2665 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Og zombies is so much fun. But what sucks is that Activision gready ass still charges full price for DLC maps after 15 years. And the PC version of BOII is still $60 and that's just for the base game. Multiplayer doesn't even work for the older cods which is sad. And the Halo serves shut down for good. All we got left are LAN parties

    • @TwistedIdentity
      @TwistedIdentity ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm also in Columbus, and I second that. Retailers like Best Buy, Target, Walmart, etc are pretty barren. Not totally empty like the video but it's pretty close.

    • @BarnesArcade
      @BarnesArcade ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Best Buy has really changed. Went in a couple weeks ago after a couple years of not & it’s a completely different place. Half the store is appliances. No movies or music at all. Hell the PC section shrunk too.

    • @mikedee3182
      @mikedee3182 ปีที่แล้ว

      I'm on the outskirts of Columbus, I usually go to Walmart or target or gamestop for physical games.

  • @erockbrox8484
    @erockbrox8484 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    Physical will always have a place because:
    1) You can resell the game if you want to like on ebay
    2) You can let your friend borrow it.
    3) Its yours no matter what and nobody can take it away from you
    4) You can put it on your shelf and display it

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Love this comment! Basically described why we love physical media so much! Cheers!

    • @NSG_UK
      @NSG_UK ปีที่แล้ว

      We have issue of over 1500 games and no way to display. Maybe we need to have a gaming museum so gamers can rejoice and play old games again

    • @ramoraid
      @ramoraid ปีที่แล้ว

      The real issue is that have easy access to physical copies in a timely manner is going to become harder. Much of the upcoming games will become digital only or will have to be shipped to your house and will be increasingly more vulnerable to scalpers.

    • @reputablehype
      @reputablehype ปีที่แล้ว

      @@NSG_UK dare I say... a rental store lol There probably is a place for that in the future, once physical gets really difficult to find.

    • @DrezzyEFTP
      @DrezzyEFTP ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Not unless Sony and Microsoft adopt what Steam is doing by trading games digitally

  • @kcadventures1454
    @kcadventures1454 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    What a great topic for a video! It's so true, I just went to Walmart to pick up the resident evil 4 remake (amazing game btw) and they had 2 copies on launch day! My local GameStop is a ghost town, the guy that works there just tells me to preorder anything that's not Madden because they probably won't get it in store. Also what kills me is all the big gaming channels are promoting the digital deluxe editions of games.. sigh. Sad times fellas.

  • @benfrancois7856
    @benfrancois7856 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The good thing about physical copies is that you can play them without internet connection with digital copies you have to have internet just to install the game to your hard drive that's the problem with digital copies

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Very solid point! Digital really handcuffs you in so many ways! Cheers!

    • @NinjaRunningWild
      @NinjaRunningWild ปีที่แล้ว

      Won't get patches though once they take those servers down & most games have day one patches from 8th gen on.

  • @RarerCandy
    @RarerCandy ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I remember scoring physical media at Electronic Boutique, Babbages, Circuit City and Radio Shack…I’m so old 😂
    The experience of buying consoles and games in person should not go away.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I remember most of those! Babbages is the one i dont recognize! I feel you on the old thing! Yes buying physical in person should never go away! Cheers!

    • @dangerass1982
      @dangerass1982 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Babbages was my spot as a kid. Toys 'R' Us, Sears, and the others you mentioned, too.

    • @SpyderBlackOfficial
      @SpyderBlackOfficial ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Circuit City was my very first job when I turned 18. Was the best place I worked at until they went non-commission.

    • @Jim26D
      @Jim26D ปีที่แล้ว

      I miss baggages. I used to sit and watch the tvs with game trailers every time I went to the mall. Last game I bought there was knights into dreams on the saturn before they closed . Then funco land opened

  • @ryanm.n8644
    @ryanm.n8644 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I’m in Canada and my local Walmarts still have a decent selection but places like Toys r US and other retailers have done away with the games section. Also Games Stop (eb games) is converting more into a collector store with figures, status and pops. They only really carry new games and have a very small
    used games section.
    I am a figure and statue collector and im sure conspires are talking about how to offer “digital Collectables” The fun of collecting that stuff to me is the physical item and being able to create displays and take photos.

    • @notfairdeletethistweet
      @notfairdeletethistweet ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Dang I forgot you guys still have Toys R Us. What's it like? I just miss them because they used to have the best Lego selection other than the official stores, which were too far away to go to regularly. I'm glad they still have some. I was thinking about it because it feels like Gamestop is next.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Completely agree! As a collector you absolutely want to have the physical items for a collection! Yeah its a shame how different Gamestop is now! Cheers!

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yeah Kinda sad we dont have them here anymore!

  • @jeffzebert4982
    @jeffzebert4982 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Also, not ALL sorts of digital cards are "plumb-full" at stores. At my local Target, for instance, they seem to have stopped carrying Steam Gift Cards; and yet, Sam's Club still carries those... including the $100 Steam Gift Cards that I hadn't seen in Target in YEARS. The gaming gift cards I've seen at Target the most lately have been mobile gacha-game-related ones... such as Google Play Store Gift Cards, Fortnite Gift Cards, Roblox Gift Cards, and Apple App Store Gift Cards.

    • @bimmer8602
      @bimmer8602 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Same at my local gamestop. Steam cards were gone for a few months because of some type of scam. Even then only the $100 one is in stock.

    • @jeffzebert4982
      @jeffzebert4982 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@bimmer8602 I've an idea of WHICH type of scam: one in which the perp scratches that foil substance off the back of some Steam cards, writes down the codes that are revealed, cover these codes back up, and then puts them back in the store display. Then, when some people buy the tampered cards and then the cashier activates them, the perp will enter the compromised Steam Wallet Codes and thus adds funds to his or her own Steam Wallet at the expense of the buyers, who now find themselves with invalid Steam Wallet Codes; and thus: worthless Steam Cards.

    • @InkfinityOkamix3
      @InkfinityOkamix3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I think Target isn’t selling Steam cards anymore because of scams. Any place that still carries them is always sold out too. As someone who uses gift cards to buy games on Steam, this is extremely annoying.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      That is probably true! We just meant gift cards in general not any specific one! Cheers!

  • @timetravelfilms727
    @timetravelfilms727 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is the most important subject RIGHT NOW. It isn't just games. You will never retire, you will never own a house. You will own NOTHING and YOU WILL BE HAPPY.

  • @bryce9722
    @bryce9722 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Crazy I’m in Des Moines Iowa too and just now discovering the channel. I’m a huge collector and physical enthusiast as well. Digital gaming has accelerated very quickly the last few years. I’m afraid it’s not going to slow down.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Nice! Always cool to see fellow people from Des Moines! Glad you found us! Yeah its definitely not going to slow down! Cheers!

    • @AnjunaMane
      @AnjunaMane ปีที่แล้ว

      Same story here mate! I heard DSM IA and my ears perked up. Glad the channel was recommended in the feed, appreciate what you fellas are doing. #Gamerz #JaysCDandhobby

  • @nonyabiz9340
    @nonyabiz9340 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I always check the physical price on eBay and Amazon before buying digital.
    I'm not opposed to digital but it needs to be significantly discounted.

    • @raychii7361
      @raychii7361 ปีที่แล้ว

      Buy classic game 200$
      Or buy 20tb hard drive and back up a full library of game's for 200$.

  • @cdawg4574
    @cdawg4574 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    To me in my opinion, some of this could be from online shopping. For example there might be sales on store apps and people will buy it off the app. Apps that have sales like the Best Buy app sales, Walmart app sales, etc. Overall I’ve not seen any shelves low as that, but it could depend where the popularity of gamers near where the products run out, and besides that scalpers selling on eBay. PS Truly Amazon prices are insane, where I look for sales on other apps.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Definitely could be! We believe there is multiple reasons why! Even some of those apps have games sold out ! Cheers!

  • @yoko_bby
    @yoko_bby ปีที่แล้ว +80

    My current fear is having a huge digital library and then with these ever expanding and vauge terms of service you break a rule, you get banned and you lose your library. Many platforms are adopting terms of service where your off platform behavior can result in bans, discord, twitter and twitch all do this, theres less and less we can say and joke about these days. there will come a time where you will have to keep your mouth shut in fear of losing your games, movies or even bank account

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Yeah thats a huge fear in the limited digital games we own! Huge disadvantage of digital! Cheers!

    • @J.Crime123
      @J.Crime123 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Then you have to sue them to get access to your Account again. Here in Germany someone got their amazon Account suspended because he is a seller and there were some issues with amazon so they closed his. BUT he bought stuff on it which he couldnt access anymore and sued amazon.
      The result was that amazon needs to find a way to block his seller Account while still giving him access to everything he legaly bought. If they cant do it, they cant block his Account. Basically they cant take stuff away you payed for. But thats of course a country by country issue.

    • @troyshepherd1323
      @troyshepherd1323 ปีที่แล้ว

      The rules are very clear and easy to follow.
      Don’t be a douchedick and you won’t get banned. How hard is that?
      It’s not a huge disadvantage, Inhad a buddy that got banned from Steam for saying a meme racist term as a joke.
      Lesson to be learned don’t say anything racist.
      That fucking simple.

    • @J.Crime123
      @J.Crime123 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Brian Price this wasn't directed at Amazon but at every company that sells you digital goods. Especially since their ToS or EULA have so many parts in there that are illegal and cant be applied. Just for example Sony states that if your Account gets banned, every money you still got in there, They wont pay it back to you in their ToS/EULA. The german company Telekom (you may know them in america as T-mobile), they stated that after some time the money you charged on your Account isnt usable anymore after some time if you didn't use it. A judge slammed that part and said that part in the ToS is illegal therefore it cant be applied in Germany. A similar case was in Austria just last year but this time it was directly with Playstations ToS/EULA, where their court decided that a bunch of their stuff they wrote in there is not legal.

    • @QuicksandontheTrail
      @QuicksandontheTrail ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Will definitely happen in the future. "You will own nothing and be happy."

  • @scpnoobers
    @scpnoobers ปีที่แล้ว +2

    In the west it is much worst target has literally nothing Walmart has 10 games minimum and GameStop is fine, surprisingly. But local, retro game stores literally have more ps4 games than a target.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah retro stores seem to be doing better than thr big chains! Hopefully they stay strong! Cheers!

  • @AstralMonk86
    @AstralMonk86 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I thought I was the only one noticing this. If you dont preorder games these days they wont be in stock. Amazon has been my go to for physical games because retail stores are not keeping up the stock of physical games at all

  • @flipyapd2321
    @flipyapd2321 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I used to be all for physical until I realized that the disc can run the risk of being damaged and unplayable. This happened with me with the original Modern Warfare when my disc got scratched up and had to buy another 60 dollar copy

    • @finkamain1621
      @finkamain1621 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      A lot of modern games need day 1 patches and don't even launch with all the content on the disk. There's DLC as well, but then you'd have eliteists like "I don't care about playing DLC for a game when it's 20 years old" but then they'll miss out on extra Super Smash Bros characters and stages and big expansion packs like TES IV Oblivion's Shivering Isles DLC or any Borderlands DLC which adds so much content to the game

  • @SenchaLicious
    @SenchaLicious ปีที่แล้ว +7

    "You will own nothing, and you will be happy". Unfortunately many bought into this lie. The all digital age will be a depressing time to live in.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah thats unfortunately where they are pushing us into! Cheers!

    • @namenlosNamenlos
      @namenlosNamenlos ปีที่แล้ว +1

      - WEF klaus schwab.

    • @JeremiahEmbury
      @JeremiahEmbury ปีที่แล้ว

      Its basically communism

  • @gameplaynia5021
    @gameplaynia5021 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Noticed it since the ps5 launched. So many gamestores closed down an even normal retail stores are empty.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah its destroying alot of businesses! Cheers!

  • @cosmo9925
    @cosmo9925 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I get my physicals off of Amazon because the stores never have anything. I recently went to stores in the hopes of finding Metroid Prime remastered because Amazon preorders were overwhelmed, and Nintendo seemed to only make like 3 copies for the entire planet because they were nowhere to be found. I eventually got the physical copy available on Amazon an entire month after the physical version was “Released”.

    • @GamingOffTheGrid
      @GamingOffTheGrid  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah online orders can be that way and it sucks! Cheers!