What's your approach to disc-only games?

[MrNash]

I won't touch disc-only. I want the case in good shape, and the instruction manual. I also want to have a good look at the disc whenever possible to see how much scratching is on the thing. Looking at some of the stuff going up for sale on eBay these days, disc or cartridge, I really wonder what some people do with their games. The sheer beating some of those things appear to have taken is shocking.

[FerretGamer]

Like many others, I will go nowhere near a disc-only game. I just like my disc based games to have their original packaging. I'm not as bad with cart based games for similar reasons mentioned earlier with cost being the first reason. Instead, I take advantage of TheCoverProject and print out nice covers for my cartridges and put them into UGC or DS cases. It works out nicely that way and then I can use the money saved towards obtaining complete disc based games.

[CFFJR]

It pretty much depends on the packaging the game originally used.

Which is to say, I'll only consider disc only if the game originally came in a dvd case. Then its a simple matter of putting it in a new dvd case and printing a cover for it. It bugs me not to have the manual, but I can accept it if I must. Manuals can usually be replaced anyway, if one is patient enough.

I won't buy disc only for games that came in jewel cases of any kind, just because finding the cover art for these games (specifically the back art) is a pain in the ass. The cool thing about standard jewel case games though is that even if you pick up a janky looking one, if its complete it can be made to look fantastic simply by putting it all in a new case.

That said though, I don't like disc only, and I try very hard to only buy cib.

[isiolia]

I usually won't consider disc-only for console games, unless the price difference is substantial.

That said, I'm leaning towards taking a softer stance towards this for certain systems. Stuff like 3DO or Saturn where what I already have is fairly mixed, and not being particular about CIB would be a benefit in today's market. Standardizing on DVD cases with printed covers would work for me there.

For systems that I already have shelves worth of CIB games, I'm a lot more inclined to maintain that standard.

I'm not inclined to use CD binders for console games though. For the disc-only games I do get, I usually just use slimline CD cases.

[Nintendork666]

I never buy disc only. I'm 2 dope 4 that.

[BoneSnapDeez]

It depends. I like my Saturn and Sega CD games to be complete. I'll jump for a disc-only Dreamcast or PS1 game if it's priced significantly cheaper than a complete copy.

I have a bunch of disc-only PC games from Goodwill. They were $1 apiece.

I like current and last-gen stuff to be complete. I can't imagine buying something like a disc-only Xbox 360 game.

[fastbilly1]

Honestly, disc only is a no buy unless it is a rare game. And when it comes to disc based consoles, that are not current, I am 100% ok with playing solely burns. Carts are awesome, durable, and really cool looking on a shelf, discs are fragile and well Ive had enough stop working on me over the years I just stopped caring.

[c0wb0y]

I used to avoid disc only because the discount was not very significant. I wasn't going to pay 8-12 dollars for ZoE disc only. And I didn't want to pay 20+ for a full copy.
When used stores recently started clearing out PS2 games, the savings finally made sense for me. At $1.99 - sign me up!

There are a ton of games that sound interesting in theme or gameplay mechanics. If I can get them for 1-2 dollars, then I'm not out a lot of money on something that only received mediocre reviews. Sometimes the games are awesome and would have been worth the price of a complete game. Other times, I'm glad I only spent 2 dollars.

I keep my disc only games on a CD spindle and handle them carefully.

[LugNutX]

It sounds like most people avoid disc-only games, which I can understand. The collection aspect (and a bit of the overall experience) go out the window with just discs. Not to mention, the disc-only versions rarely retain much monetary value.

Again, I believe adoption of digital distribution is partly the reason, in my case. Steam, PSN, XBLA and Virtual Console have conditioned me to having just the game itself. Somewhere along the line, I became okay with that idea. While I limit my console digital purchases (too many horror stories regarding license transfers to new consoles), I have no qualms with Steam.

For me, the pros of accepting disc-only have been:

1. Less stress - I used to get so angry to find a game I was interested in, only to discover it was missing the case or manual. Now I just require a disc in good shape (still won't buy anything heavily scratched, whether it plays or not). This isn't so much an issue with the recent consoles, but I've seen too many PSX games in horrendous shape.

2. Cheaper - Though not the case for every game, most can be found at a sizable discount vs. the CIB version. This isn't a surprise, you're not getting the complete package, but it's been a nice perk. It also makes it easier to take a risk on something that may completely suck.

3. Storage - Though I haven't completely made a decision here (see OP), all the options will allow me to store more games in less space. That's a big deal when I think about the amount of room I have available to dedicate to my gaming habits.

That's not to say there haven't been cons. My soul still cries a little that I've settled for less-than-perfect, but ultimately I'm enjoying the hobby more.

It sounds like I'm definitely in the minority on this, so I appreciate everyone's responses!

[AppleQueso]

FWIW, I've given serious consideration to the idea off and on, pretty much for all the reasons y ou describe. Not sure I'm really willing to bite on it though.