Nintendo & Sony each offered their own stark reminder to the dangers that a digital-only future can present; as each company removed the option of purchasing digital software on their family of hardware -- though the two situations differ in terms of reasoning. Nevertheless, each highlights a growing concern about how long we, the consumer, may have access to our digital game libraries & how little say we have in the matter.
While Nintendo chose to delist recent releases -- like Super Mario 3D All-Stars and Mario 35; Sony is shutting down older hardware digital storefronts. Though different in reasoning, the execution shares similarities. We discuss how this precedent is worrisome & how Microsoft is the best suited of the trio to deliver a well-crafted platform that serves the consumer & respects the Xbox legacy for years to come.