PS5 Disc or Digital? (New into This World)

nnaa8287 on 17/05/2023 - 15:33
Last edited 17/05/2023 - 16:07 by 1 other user

I am buying this for my Kids. The difference between disc and digital is only $50-100.

Is it really worth going with a disc console? I heard discs are cheaper than digital downloads but what I am seeing is that digital gets on sale making it similar or cheaper than the disc version price. For example, Street Fighter V is $25 compared to disc version ($29). Fifa 23 is $44 compared to disc version $59

Secondly, how many games a digital version can hold with the internal hard drive?

Thirdly, in terms of game-loading performance are they both same?

Thanks

Poll Options expired

  • 51
    Disc
  • 2
    Digital
Gaming Game Console Sony

Comments

  • cosmicjul on 17/05/2023 - 15:38
    +3

    I have definitely saved the difference between the two consoles in being able to buy physical games. Just because the difference points one way now, doesn’t mean it will always be that way. I like being able to get the best price, and including JB, Big W ect in my choices is great IMO. I always advocate for disc for that reason alone.

    • cosmicjul on 17/05/2023 - 15:41

      To answer your second question, there isn’t a straightforward answer. Some games may be less than 10GB, and others may be more than 100GB.

  • vatoloco47 on 17/05/2023 - 15:45
    +2

    Disc is worth it, can trade in game or get cheaper ones from Marketplace. Digital games are always overpriced on release and take a while to go on sale

  • FireRunner on 17/05/2023 - 15:49
    +2

    Definitely disc.
    With disc you have the option to purchase either a physical or digital copy so you can buy whatever is cheaper.
    You also get the option of buying and selling used copies which can save you money or get some back when you're done with the game.

    With your other two questions, the physical discs still install the game to the internal drive, it doesn't run off the disc like old consoles.
    So you wouldn't save any internal drive space with physical and loading times will be identical.

    • nnaa8287 on 17/05/2023 - 15:55

      So once the game is installed on the internal drive, do I still need the disc? If that's the case, I can install 2-3 games from different discs and load/switch between the games without the disc. Is that the case?

      • FireRunner on 17/05/2023 - 15:58

        You have have the disc inserted to launch the game.
        So yeah, you'll need to swap out the disc when changing game.

        • nnaa8287 on 17/05/2023 - 15:59
          +1

          I thought the same. Seems like it checks for a license

      • Hybroid on 17/05/2023 - 15:59

        Yes you still need the disc for authentication. Otherwise you can sell or return the disc and still have the game.

        The disc console will save you money in the long run, especially in Australia where physical copies go on discount pretty quickly compares to high digital prices.

      • boomramada on 17/05/2023 - 16:10

        In noob terms, when game install from disc, authentication is against the disc.
        For online, it's against the server.

  • SnowDragon on 17/05/2023 - 15:52

    Grab the disc console because then it opens you up to the 2nd hand game market - especially PS4 games.
    PS5 doesn't really have many console exclusives at the moment (PS5 only games) so having an entire generation of back catalogue will be beneficial.

    Your second question is situational - depends on the game and it's size. For new AAA games you'd be looking at between 50-100gb each. Both consoles only have around 700gb of useable storage - but it is upgradable, at a price. I assume most people rotate through games and uninstall older or finished games to make room for new ones.

    • nnaa8287 on 17/05/2023 - 15:57

      So all PS4 games are compatible with PS5? There was a game available for PS5 and the same for PS4. I don't remember the title. What will the difference between them?

      • Hybroid on 17/05/2023 - 16:01
        +1

        Yes all PS4 discs work on PS5.

        Some will have free upgrades to PS5 version.
        Some will have paid upgrades to PS5 version.
        Some will have no PS5 version.

        You can play the PS4 version on the PS5 regardless too.

        The differences range from better graphics resolution, higher framerates, faster SSD loading, DualSense controller adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, trophy tracking, game hints etc.

        • nnaa8287 on 17/05/2023 - 16:04

          so if the same title is available in PS5, better to choose that one?

          Do they mention if PS4 version game will have free upgrades?

          • Hybroid on 17/05/2023 - 16:06
            +1

            @nnaa8287: PS5 version will naturally be the better version in most cases.

            Some of the newer PS4 games that are also on PS5 will have a label on them that says "PS5 upgrade available". Obviously pre-2021 ones will not. You'll want to check individual games though because like I said, some are free upgrade, some are paid and some games don't give you an upgrade path at all and want you to buy it again on PS5.

      • SnowDragon on 17/05/2023 - 16:01
        +3

        Sony claims

        The overwhelming majority of the 4,000+ PS4 games are playable on PS5 consoles.

        This website gives a proper list, including ones which have been upgraded to perform well on PS5. But you can basically assume most popular titles will work.

  • deadpoet on 17/05/2023 - 15:56
    +1

    Digital takes WAAAAY longer to go on a decent sale compared to physical. You'll usually be waiting 3-4 years for the typical digital price of a game to drop to the point where it matches the discounts of a physical copy.

    It's a no-brainer, get the console with the disc drive if you want to save money. Physical also has the advantage of being able to sell old disc games or lend them to a friend easily.

  • AustriaBargain on 17/05/2023 - 15:57

    You'd have to be rich to get the digital only version, in which case you could afford the disc one anyway. The digital version is for nobody except maybe people who only play FIFA on their console.

  • nnaa8287 on 17/05/2023 - 16:04
    +1

    Thank you, guys, for your prompt response. So the verdict is to go with disc console.

    Next thing, what places i should be looking for new/used discs?

    • Hybroid on 17/05/2023 - 16:08
      +2

      Amazon.com.au is one of the best places for discs. They tend to price match EBGames and JB HiFi frequently whom are also good sources.

      May also consider The Gamesmen, BigW, MightyApe but rarely have the best prices.

      VGP, Rarewaves and PlayAsia for rare titles that are not released in the AU market but unlikely to need those.

      Game prices do cycle up and down for both disc and digital. So if it's cheaper digital because there's a sale, feel free to grab that. The disc console gives you the best of both worlds and option for both.

      Another alternative is to subscribe to PS+ Extra and you get hundreds of games included in a Netflix-style catalog. So you can play the assortment of games while subscribed and monthly some leave and new ones are added.

      https://www.playstation.com/en-au/ps-plus/games/ - Street Fighter V is included too. FIFA23 would not be.

      • nnaa8287 on 17/05/2023 - 18:37

        Didn’t know about this. Thanks for mentioning.

    • lostgoat on 17/05/2023 - 16:10

      Some people are desperate for $$$$ . Scumtree and FB always have cheap used ones normally ;.

  • Drpepper666 on 17/05/2023 - 16:04
    -6

    PS5 has no games so it doesn't matter which one you pick OP

    • FireRunner on 17/05/2023 - 16:09
      +1

      Ok Mr. Troll

  • blitz on 17/05/2023 - 16:57

    Disc for sure.

  • Mike88 on 17/05/2023 - 16:58

    Even without the sales on disc versions of games and second hand market, I prefer buying a physical copy of a game, but maybe that's just because i grew up with physical editions. Either way seems to save money and gives more options for purchase.

  • Odin on 17/05/2023 - 17:04
    +4

    Digital is for suckers, it locks you into their store where there's zero retail competition and prices can be stupid

  • DBBROS on 18/05/2023 - 15:51

    Discs are much cheaper . You might want to invest in an SSD for later

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