Late last month, Nintendo issued a press release, regarding its smash hit "Animal Crossing: New Leaf." The game, a simulator in which cute characters do things like collect items and decorate their houses, hit No. 1 on the game charts thanks to its dedicated following with young and seasoned players alike. In the press release, Nintendo apologized for the game being sold-out at retailers across Japan, adding that sales were above forecast and promising to release more copies.
It was a peculiar announcement — because pretty much anyone can buy the digital-download version of "Animal Crossing: New Leaf" at anytime, without leaving the comfort of their own home. However, even though digital downloads are becoming increasingly prevalent, players or game companies aren't ready to ditch packaged games just yet.
Digital downloadable games are nothing new for Nintendo — or its rivals Sony and Microsoft. For years, Nintendo has offered small digital games via the Wii, but reserved its big titles, such as its "Mario," "Zelda," or "Animal Crossing" games, for traditional, packaged retail releases. Meanwhile, Sony and Microsoft have been offering their biggest games as downloads for the past couple of years as Internet speed and bandwidth improved. And PC gamers, typically on the forefront of technology, have been playing digital download versions of games for much longer.