Downloadable games create problems for collectors

There was a time when the only way to play a game on a console was to have a physical copy inside the system.

Now with the ever expanding grasp of digital distribution, games that were once considered to be rare jewels are slightly losing their value. An Ars Technica article points out how prices in some titles including Rez and Ikaruga no longer fetch the amount of money they used to bring in for collectors looking to sell.

Before Rez HD made its way onto Xbox Live Arcade, the disc version of the classic Dreamcast title would sell for approximately $50 and Ikaruga could be sold for about $75. Since these games have been available digitally for $10, the prices for the discs have dropped between $5 and $15. One of the only things that could ensure the original value of these games depends on whether it’s an import from Japan or if it’s a cult classic.

Despite the move into the digital realm, some enthusiasts will still pay top dollar for a sealed copy of a game. People like myself still prefer to display games in its original case as a memento.

Read [Ars Technica] Also Read [Game Politics]