This is a bit rambly, but I’ve been thinking about it recently. So, having spent a couple of months with my Nintendo Switch, I discovered just how much I want portable versions of games I already love. Darkest Dungeon on the go already makes me happy, and it’s perfectly build for touch screen gaming (although the standard controls have taken a bit of getting used to). Being able to take the Jackbox games on holiday sounds good, but god help me if Blizzard ever put Diablo 3 on the Switch. It got me thinking about how often I double dip on buying games though.
With the Switch, it makes a certain amount of sense to buy a game I already have. Being able to play Rocket League on the go is a pretty cool feature that isn’t really included in other versions of the game, but I haven’t bought it yet. This is because I already own it three times (admittedly one of them was free) and purchasing it a fouth time seems somewhat excessive. Yes, I draw the line at quadruple dipping.
This makes me question how many times I’ve bought a game when I already own it. I’ve bought Mario 3 at least twice, Tetris more times than I care to admit, and you could find Bioshock in more than a couple of my collections. Is this excessive? A waste? It’s not like I buy them and don’t play them, but is it wasteful to get Bioshock on PC when I could just reconnect my Xbox 360 to play it? Perhaps I’m paying for the convenience.
Is double dipping something that a lot of gamers do? Are you “guilty” (although that’s probably not a good choice of words) of this and would you consider it wasteful? Other than Switch purchases for the sake of portability I’ll likely think more carefully before purchasing a game I already own elswhere. If nothing else, I need to start saving money for some of that sweet Nintendo cardboard…
I Played The Game! 
I’m about the same. I buy pretty much every remaster/remake of games I like a lot and will most likely buy any portable version of roguelike games over the home versions, even if I already own the home version.
Darkest Dungeon I already have and completed on Vita (havent got around to that expansion yet though) and the thought of having to do all that work all over again makes me a little queasy, so I think I’ll stick with that version…but…I think I might have to buy Binding of Isaac again when we get a Switch, since they never released the Afterbirth expansions for Vita, and I don’t know, there’s just something better about playing those kinds of games on a portable.
The worst is all the Resident Evil games though. I’ve now bought most of those at least 2-3 times now, with all the re-releases on last gen and now again on this gen. It’s starting to get kind of annoying actually. I love these games, but I really, really don’t want to buy them all another time.
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It’s incredible how many re-makes etc. there have been of the first game, but only now there’s talk of a remake of the follow up. I know they make a lot of money for developers/publishers and are a great stop gap between releases, but I can’t help but feel like a fool when I’ve bought it this many times!
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Nah, double dipping is in bad form; everyone else at the table gets irritated when you do it – and rightly so.
As for purchasing the same game twice on different platforms, I have done it on occasion. What helps is that the Switch has proven to be great in how it allows you to play what would otherwise be console games on the go. Similarly, I have sold games when an HD compilation comes out on a newer platform.
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I suppose trading in for a HD remake is a good thing to consider. Unless you bought it digitally originally which is going to become a bigger problem in time!
In the mean time. I’ll make sure I eat the whole chip once I’ve dipped it.
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I don’t really make a habit of it, and I feel guilty when I do it. Mostly its two scenarios, one being the one you mentioned when a game gets ported to a handheld system. The other is I sometimes pick up games on Steam that I already own on console if they get cheap on sale. Particularly games for consoles I don’t want to pull out anymore.
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One day I’ll get a gaming room and have all my old systems wired up at once. No more buying the same game again for conveniences sake!
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I’ve double and triple dipped for the things I most like. Steam is probably the biggest culprit of this because I’ll impulse buy games I already own when they are on crazy discount. Also, I’m not opposed to getting HD(ier) versions of games. While I have a lot of old systems. Sometimes these new ports offer new incentives to play (and generally look better too). For instance, Wind Waker. I bought that on GameCube and then again in WiiU. The WiiU version is actually a better game because they fixed some issues with the original. And then there are certain games (like say Final Fantasy), that I just want all the versions possible because I love the game and it is a collector thing for me.
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I get it when there are significant differences (fixes, updates, etc). It’s a bit different when it’s the exact same game though I’d say. I’ll save a ton of money if I’m more careful that way!
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I own a few remasters, like LA Noire and Halo The Master Chief Collection. Other than that, I only double dip with a few games. I do own Minecraft on multiple platforms because Jennifer and I played it a while back. I also own The Long Dark on PC and Xbox One, and if there’s ever going to be a Nintendo Switch version, I’ll be snapping that up immediately.
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Remasters feel like they’re exempt to an extent. Although ones like TLOU being remastered and released a year after the original game is a bit much!
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The thing I hate about some remasters is that they claim to have improved graphics or whatever, yet there’s sometimes very little tangible proof to back up that claim. I suppose that’s why so many games adopt the term “Definitive Edition” instead…
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I get complete editions and all that, but I very much agree that a lot of HD remakes are minor graphical improvements if at all. The Halo MCC was very good in that regard, as the remasters looks pretty damn good. Others far less so though.
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I’ve double dipped a few times. GTA 5 I bought three times, Destiny 2 twice. I rebought the Mass Effect Series and Star Wars Kotor, but they were really cheap. I also bought HL2 again, but that was the updated version, so kind of different I guess.
I wouldn’t normally double dip, but if it’s an older game that I loved and its on sale for cheap then I’m usually tempted – then I never play them…
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Ah the old Steam curse. “I already have this but it’s so cheap!” is an easy trap to drop into. I suppose that’s why so many people have so much unplayed in their Steam library, myself included.
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I actually looked up how long it would take to play my uncompleted games on steam, it’s about 2700 hours….
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What, just over 110 days non stop? Should probably get started 😉
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I’d say I’m a double-dipper if the game offers a reason for me to revisit it. Rarely I’ll buy a remaster of a game I loved console generations ago, and if I do it’s because comfort food gaming is always nice on a rainy day (I did this for the BioShock and Assassin’s Creed collections). I’m also guilty of buying Skyrim on 360, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and now Switch, because every time I play the game it’s a different character, a new build, and new ways to approach things. Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Borderlands, and Fallout 3/4/NV are the same way. I’d love to see those games head to the Switch.
However, a meaty RPG that I’ve already played through (Persona 5, for instance) I’d hesitate to grab again because I’ve already seen all there is to see. Like, I’m stoked to see Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze make its way to the Switch because I think it’s one of the best designed platformers of all time, but I did it all on Wii U and I guess I’d rather invest that time/money into something else. However, I will 100% buying Dark Souls Remastered on Switch. And PS4. I want a Switch version for on-the-go messing about, and PS4 because if I’m playing at home I want that sexy 60 FPS instead of 30 docked on the Switch. My GF also has a PS4 and we both love the series, so co-op is there if we want it.
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The Switch is a great reason for getting a remake/remaster simply for the portability. I’m very much with you on the big RPG thing. I couldn’t bring myself to go through a 100+ hour game a second time without and incredibly good reason?
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Good question, let’s see here… I don’t really buy re-releases unless they’re released in a more convenient manner. For example, I bought the Jak & Daxter trilogy on PSVita because I wanted to replay them, and I wasn’t about to be chained to my PS2. I re-bought Axiom Verge for the same reason, only to play it on my Switch instead of PC.
The ability to take a game on the go with me will cause me to consider a double-dip, absolutely. That’s about it though!
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If I ever get a full on game room with all my consoles hooked up I doubt I’ll double dip in the future (aside from portability!) but until then I’m sure I’ll pick up the odd one on whim. Wasteful I know!
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I own at least three versions of Final Fantasy VII, so double and triple dipping is okay by me! I completely agree with your assessment of the Switch. It’s my most played system or at least tied with the 3DS, and I’m hoping more games are ported over to the Switch because why the hell wouldn’t they? There’s just something so convenient about being able to pick up the system and go. I don’t think I’ve played with a non-portable console in months, which isn’t something to brag about really. I still need to set up the PS4 I got for Christmas o.O
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The new version of FFVII won’t count of course seeing as it’s going to be a completely different game by the looks of it. I would like to see the series back catalogue on Switch as it seems like a great home for them.
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That would be amazing. I would 100% own all the Final Fantasies on the Switch. The system just has so much potential.
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Game of the year editions & remasters always seem to get me re playing games that I’ve already played. The Arkham games and Crash Bandicoot N sane trilogy being the most recent ones. Luckily they were being sold at discounted prices, that helps
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GOTY editions annoy me when I shelled out the money for the original game and had to spend a lot more for the privilege. Generally I buy those for games I didn’t buy the first time around. I can see the appeal though!
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That’s a very good point! Final Fantasy game of the year edition. Really hurt me, it included more than just the season pass
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The only reason when I double dipped games in the past was because of my little brother demolishing the game disk haha (which was very painful). But I almost never double dip anymore nowadays!
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I think it’s fair if you’re replacing a game that was broken or damaged. Maybe even lost. Pretty sure I have Alan Wake 3 times now though because I ended up buying it on Steam when I was on sale. No idea why!
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haha indeed it was for a good cause to replace a broken game :D!
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I only double dip if the game is really good and there’s an upgrade from the last generation. For example, I’ve double dipped for Skyrim. It was worth it for that game, but I guess it depends on the game and what’s included in the newer version.
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It’s ones like The Last of Us that I don’t get. I understand if it was the first time you were playing it, but those who had the PS3 version then the PS4 version confuse me!
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I’m not often tempted by “remasters” or “game of the year editions” or things like that, but I will occasionally double dip! For instance, I’ve re-purchased some of my favorite SNES games on the Wii/ Wii U Virtual Console, and I’ve done it again on my 2DS because I want some of those games to be portable! I just figure if my SNES or the carts ever die, at least I have a way to play some of those games still.
Also, pretty sure I have like 10 different versions of Tetris, no shame here! 😉
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Things like Tetris kind of get a free pass, every other version adds something to it. God knows I’ve had more than my fair share of copies!
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