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Physical games - best and worst publishers?

RetroGamingUK

RetroGamingUK

Member
Edit: I’ll update OP with publisher list

I’ve seen a lot of arguments on here lately about buying physical games being pointless now due to the full game not being on the disc. But how common is this?

- Which publishers are best at putting the entire game on disc and in a polished state?

- Which publishers release games in an often buggy state requiring patches?

- Who are the worst offenders for putting a download code in the box/disc?

Best
Nintendo - full game on cartridge
Bandai Namco - full game on disc/cartridge
Capcom - full game on disc/cartridge
Sega - full game on disc/cartridge
Square-Enix - full game on disc/cartridge
Sony - full game on disc

Worst
Activision - Downloads required (COD)
Bethesda - Download code in box (Wolfenstein Youngblood)
EA - Download required to play (EAFC 25)
Microsoft - DRM required to install (Halo Infinite)
Take2 - Download code in box (Outer Worlds)
Ubisoft - Downloads required (Star Wars)
 
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Robb

Robb

Gold Member
Nintendo has to be one of the best, can’t recall if I’ve ever bought a game that wasn’t fully available on the cartridge itself from them.

Not sure about the worst but I will say that I absolutely hate it when publishers create a special/limited edition and the full game isn’t even included on a disc. Even worse is when they also include steelbook cases.. Why? To store something that isn’t even included? Just punch me in the gut and spit in my face while you’re at it.
 
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Gamezone

Gamezone

Gold Member
Activision is the worst. They have required a content download for many disc based games on Playstation and Xbox. Ubisoft recently did this with Star Wars Outlaws as well. I think those are the only publishers doing this on Xbox and Playstation at the moment, and it shouldn't be allowed on physical media by Sony and Microsoft in my opinion.

Sony release some of their games on multiple Bluray discs, so they are pretty good.
 
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RetroGamingUK

RetroGamingUK

Member
Gamezone said:
Activision. I'm pretty sure they are the only publisher doing this on Playstation and Xbox.

Sony releases some of their games on multiple Bluray discs, so they are pretty good.
Click to expand...

Which of the 3 do they do? I’ve not bought an Activision game since the Crash trilogy.
 
Gamezone

Gamezone

Gold Member
RetroGamingUK said:
1. Full game on disc
2. Patch required for serious bugs
3. No game on disc (download link)
Click to expand...

Activision requires content download for their COD games on Xbox and Playstation. Even for single player. Ubisoft did the same thing for Star Wars Outlaws. I can't think of any physical games on Xbox and Playstation that only comes with a download link.
 
RetroGamingUK

RetroGamingUK

Member
Gamezone said:
Activision requires content download for their COD games on Xbox and Playstation. Even for single player. Ubisoft did the same thing for Star Wars Outlaws. I can't think of any physical games on Xbox and Playstation that only comes with a download link.
Click to expand...

2 added to the sinners list then
 
I'm nobody

I'm nobody

Member
Best Physical Game Publishers

* Nintendo: Known for their first-party exclusives and innovative titles, Nintendo consistently delivers high-quality physical games across various genres.

* Square Enix: With a strong legacy of RPGs and action-adventure titles, Square Enix is often praised for their storytelling and immersive gameplay.

* FromSoftware: Renowned for their challenging and rewarding action RPGs, FromSoftware has a dedicated fanbase who appreciate their unique approach to game design.

* Bandai Namco: Offering a wide range of genres, Bandai Namco is known for their iconic franchises and commitment to physical releases.

* Capcom: With a focus on action and horror games, Capcom has a strong reputation for delivering polished and enjoyable experiences.

Worst Physical Game Publishers (Based on Recent Perceptions)

* Electronic Arts (EA): While EA has produced many popular games, their business practices and microtransactions have drawn criticism from some gamers.

* Activision Blizzard: Recent controversies and allegations have tarnished their reputation, leading to concerns about the quality and ethical implications of their games.
* Ubisoft: While Ubisoft has released many successful franchises, some players have criticized their repetitive gameplay and reliance on microtransactions.

* Bethesda: While Bethesda is known for their open-world RPGs, some fans have expressed disappointment with recent releases and perceived quality issues.

* Telltale Games: While they were once praised for their interactive storytelling, financial difficulties and inconsistent quality have led to a decline in their reputation.
 
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RetroGamingUK

RetroGamingUK

Member
I'm nobody said:
Best Physical Game Publishers
* Nintendo: Known for their first-party exclusives and innovative titles, Nintendo consistently delivers high-quality physical games across various genres.
* Square Enix: With a strong legacy of RPGs and action-adventure titles, Square Enix is often praised for their storytelling and immersive gameplay.
* FromSoftware: Renowned for their challenging and rewarding action RPGs, FromSoftware has a dedicated fanbase who appreciate their unique approach to game design.
* Bandai Namco: Offering a wide range of genres, Bandai Namco is known for their iconic franchises and commitment to physical releases.
* Capcom: With a focus on action and horror games, Capcom has a strong reputation for delivering polished and enjoyable experiences.
Worst Physical Game Publishers (Based on Recent Perceptions)
* Electronic Arts (EA): While EA has produced many popular games, their business practices and microtransactions have drawn criticism from some gamers.
* Activision Blizzard: Recent controversies and allegations have tarnished their reputation, leading to concerns about the quality and ethical implications of their games.
* Ubisoft: While Ubisoft has released many successful franchises, some players have criticized their repetitive gameplay and reliance on microtransactions.
* Bethesda: While Bethesda is known for their open-world RPGs, some fans have expressed disappointment with recent releases and perceived quality issues.
* Telltale Games: While they were once praised for their interactive storytelling, financial difficulties and inconsistent quality have led to a decline in their reputation.
Click to expand...

Great post but the question is, of these which provide the full game on the disc and which just have a wrapper for a download?

It’s a thread about physical game preservation more than anything else.

I agree with your list in terms of game quality though. As far as I’m concerned western studios (outside of Sony) have gone to shit this generation while Japanese publishers are thriving.
 
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Mr Hyde

Mr Hyde

Member
Sega has a good track record of putting everything on either cartridge on Switch or disc on PS4/5. Atleast from the games I've bought.
 
xrnzaaas

xrnzaaas

Member
Unfortunately SEGA seems to be pushing towards digital. I see this with their Yakuza games - you always get some extra goodies now if you pick the digital version (even the standard one). Plus they never offically released physical version of Like a Dragon Gaiden in the West, fortunately they're not making the same mistake with Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
 
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RetroGamingUK

RetroGamingUK

Member
xrnzaaas said:
Unfortunately SEGA seems to be pushing towards digital. I see this with their Yakuza games - you always get some extra goodies now if you pick the digital version (even the standard one). Plus they never offically released physical version of Like a Dragon Gaiden in the West, fortunately they're not making the same mistake with Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
Click to expand...

How was Infinite Wealth playing just from the disc?
 
Andyliini

Andyliini

Member
Square-Enix certainly have their problems, for not releasing their physical games everywhere, but at least most of their games have a full physical release somewhere around the world, so I can import.

Capcom is the same, I had to import many games from US this gen, because they just refuse go release their games physically in Europe.
 
RetroGamingUK

RetroGamingUK

Member
Andyliini said:
Square-Enix certainly have their problems, for not releasing their physical games everywhere, but at least most of their games have a full physical release somewhere around the world, so I can import.

Capcom is the same, I had to import many games from US this gen, because they just refuse go release their games physically in Europe.
Click to expand...

This isn’t about releases, it’s about whether or not all the game content is available on disc and can be played without any patches or downloads.
 
jshackles

jshackles

Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the capability to make the world's first enhanced store. Steam will be that store. Better than it was before.
RetroGamingUK said:
Name them and I’ll shame them
Click to expand...
Off the top of my head (Switch only)

Fortnite - various different releases (this one might make the most sense)
Mario + Rabbids 1 & 2 - Ubisoft strikes again (strangely the first printing actually has the games on a cart)
Just Dance - 2021 through 2025 are all "code in a box"
Disney Dreamlight Valley - I don't believe this exists physically on Switch at all, download in the box only
Powerwash Simulator - Same as above
Wolfenstein Youngblood - Download code in the box, no physical cartridge
The Outer Worlds - again, download only physical release

Also bad are games that aren't fully on the cartridge. Collections and such that have the first game, but the rest are downloadable from a voucher:

Final Fantasy X-2 - This is bundled with X, but X-2 is only a download code
Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered - Again, bundled with the first game's physical release but not available on its own
Borderlands Collection - first game on cart, download the rest
Bioshock Collection - first game on cart only
Resident Evil collections - first game on cart


There are probably hundreds of other examples, especially of smaller releases and lesser known games. What really makes me mad is that some of these games ARE available physically on the cartridge in other regions (usually Japan, but sometimes Europe)
 
Thick Thighs Save Lives

Thick Thighs Save Lives

NeoGAF's Physical Games Advocate Extraordinaire
Capcom is one of the worst offenders when it comes to physical game releases.

The physical release of RE4 Gold Edition is only available in the EU and Asia, and the DLC is ofc a voucher rather than being included on the disc. They are also doing platform-specific regional releases: The Ace Attorney collection games have been getting a physical release only on PS4 in the EU, while the US is limited to a physical release on Switch. Oh and they are skipping physical releases entirely for some of their smaller games (e.g. Kunitsu Gami). To say that I'm disappointed in how they're handling their physical game releases would be an understatement.
 
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DownLikeBCPowder

DownLikeBCPowder

Member
jshackles said:
Off the top of my head (Switch only)

Fortnite - various different releases (this one might make the most sense)
Mario + Rabbids 1 & 2 - Ubisoft strikes again (strangely the first printing actually has the games on a cart)
Just Dance - 2021 through 2025 are all "code in a box"
Disney Dreamlight Valley - I don't believe this exists physically on Switch at all, download in the box only
Powerwash Simulator - Same as above
Wolfenstein Youngblood - Download code in the box, no physical cartridge
The Outer Worlds - again, download only physical release

Also bad are games that aren't fully on the cartridge. Collections and such that have the first game, but the rest are downloadable from a voucher:

Final Fantasy X-2 - This is bundled with X, but X-2 is only a download code
Life is Strange: Before the Storm Remastered - Again, bundled with the first game's physical release but not available on its own
Borderlands Collection - first game on cart, download the rest
Bioshock Collection - first game on cart only
Resident Evil collections - first game on cart


There are probably hundreds of other examples, especially of smaller releases and lesser known games. What really makes me mad is that some of these games ARE available physically on the cartridge in other regions (usually Japan, but sometimes Europe)
Click to expand...
Sonic Origins on Switch also, some of the games are download only. Also Rockman X Collection on Switch, same problem. First half is on cart, second half is digital fuck you.


jshackles said:
Final Fantasy X-2 - This is bundled with X, but X-2 is only a download code
Click to expand...
And you know what's even more bullshit about this? The asian release of this exact game on Switch has both titles in the cart. One cart, mind you...
 
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xrnzaaas

xrnzaaas

Member
RetroGamingUK said:
How was Infinite Wealth playing just from the disc?
Click to expand...
Back in the PS4 days you often didn't have any day1 patches when installing new Yakuza games from a disc, because they were so ready for launch. I think this one had a patch, but a small one. Definitely not the case of downloading a large portion of the game.
 
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