Digital download games are great. They’re convenient and cheaper than boxed retail games. They also tend to be a bit braver when it comes to trying out new ideas or bolder in perfecting a single, simple mechanic.
But some gamers prefer the ownership of an actual disc they can touch and hold over a digital copy that doesn’t physically exist. And believe it or not, many people don’t have high-speed Internet access or the limitless bandwidth to download a bunch of games. These gamers are missing out on some great experiences.
Sony’s aiming for this section of the market with its newly announced Best of PlayStation Network series, a retail line of PSN game compilations burned onto a Blu-ray and packaged in a shiny box. Like the recent Journey Collector’s Edition, the compiled games will need to install to the PS3’s hard drive first, but the disc will still be required to launch and play the games.
So far only one Best of PSN collection has been announced. Volume 1 will feature When Vikings Attack, Sound Shapes, Fat Princess and Tokyo Jungle. It’s scheduled to hit store shelves June 25th for $39.99, roughly $15 cheaper than it currently costs to buy all four individually from the PlayStation Store. Vita owners hoping for cross-buy integration with Sound Shapes and When Vikings Attack can stop hoping; the compilation is only for PlayStation 3.
So, any ideas/desires for future PSN collections? The PixelJunk series definitely deserves one. I’d also love to see games like Siren: Blood Curse, Crash Commando and Dead Nation make it onto a disc. A PlayStation Move-focused bundle with Unfinished Swan, Datura, Tumble and Ape Escape would be pretty cool, too.
Best of PlayStation Network, Vol. 1 Arrives This June [PlayStation.Blog]