Patapon 2 won't be sold on UMD, retail to sell PSN vouchers [Update]

An ArsTechnica "source" -- who has apparently given the site solid intel in the past -- claims Patapon 2 won't have a physical, UMD-based existence when it releases May 5. The game will allegedly be sold on the PSN for $15, with the retail copy, which will be nothing but a PSN redemption code, priced at $20. Customers will also apparently be able to purchase the game through the websites of "certain retailers."

If true, this UMD-less Patapon sequel's invasion appears to be a test run, for not only for digital distribution, but for Dave Perry's anti-UMD PSP2. We've contacted Sony for comment and will update if we hear anything.

Update: Sony's senior director of corporate communications sent us the following statement: "We're considering a digital only format for the Patapon 2 release as a one time test case as we continue to explore consumer preferences for digital content. The downloadable game will be available on May 5th at both retail and via the PlayStation Store. We remain focused on providing superior games and entertainment experiences in both the UMD and digital formats and are working closely with our partners to deliver the best PSP line up in our history. "

Patapon 2

Reader Comments (76)

Heck the reason I didn't pre order was because the game bonus was a digital not UMD copy of the demo, had it been a UMD demo like patapon 1 I would have pre ordered it in a heartbeat.

Is it just me that has gone crazy or does America get butfucked when it comes to psp games? seriously.... i could go online right now and buy Locoroco, Locoroco 2, Patapon, Patapon 2, Resistance retribution and download for my psp... i could also go down to my local media store and buy all of those games on UMD.... yes that includes Patapon 2.....

So long as the game is a few dollars cheaper for not having a UMD that's okay. And so long as the store provides a fast connection to download it on. No way could i get this on my home connection without leaving the PSP on for hours.

This is one of the worst ideas ever, I am a collector that means I want the box and the artwork, luckely for me I live in Europe so I allready bought the hard copy.

By the way if the UMD "spins too much" then I guess some people dont know the possibillities and the power of a PSP.

No Patapon 2 is not an expansion pack.

Screw the DLC debate, this is way more ridiculous. If they are going to charge you more in store, it would be for the physical game, not for the download code. That's like saying "don't have a credit card? That'll be five extra bucks, please." I know Gamestpp has to make some money off the deal too, but gimme a break.

Should* not would... My iPhone must hate me today -_-

So do you get something for the extra 5 bucks? Does the retail box come with a manual or art book or something? They could at least throw in a coupon for other games or PSN purchases.

If Sony wants to hack off retailers, that's the way to go. No retailer is going to like being undercut by Sony directly.

I'm pretty sure that the next PSP(2?), will have a HDD. At least 30gb. If i'm going to be downloading games and keeping them in my PSP, i don't want to be erasing them, and downloading them again everytime i want to play them.

My wants/needs for the next PSP?:

* 2nd analog stick.
* A 30gb HDD.
* A mini-HDMI slot.
* No UMD-Drive

If Sony does something similar to this, a definite must-buy for me.

you better pray that it doesn't have a HDD, HDD in small portable devices have a depressingly short life expectancy and their solid state counterparts are surprisingly expensive when you start moving into the realm of larger storage capacity.

Of course they wouldn't put a standard HDD in a portable device. it would certainly be a flash drive.

but this whole thing is going to become one beast of a mess. Sony: we like physical games. we like having the option to download them as well, if need be.

That's really cheap, isn't it?

If this is true Ill be canceling my preorder and getting the EU version. I like physically having the game disc. I want the PSN to have games that are difficult to impossible to find, old PS1 games for instance, like the Japan PSN has. New games should not be download only.

I like the idea of being able to play a full game without a UMD in the slot, but I also prefer having the physical game (so as to avoid DRM issues). They should make it so you can do a full install of PSP games.

Or heck have the option to register your UMD game on the psp store and be able to download a copy to a memory stick would also be freaking sweet, either way I want my physical copy.

Getting cut out of the food chain is what retailers fear the most. Why bother buying from a retailer if all you will get is a voucher?

I prefer having the physical game, a sweet looking case to put on my shelf with the rest, and the instruction manual and all that jazz.

I can see this working for territories like North America and Europe, but I think it'll take a while to really take off in places like here in the Philippines. It's a Third World country where broadband internet access is still more or less considered as a luxury. As for me, I'd still prefer having a physical copy over a downloaded one, even if I had the choice.

Right now, UMD is better for me because I ran out of room on my 4 GB MS. If Sony really wants to make download only work, they need to stop price jacking the MS Duos ASAP.

I don't think UMDless will see the light because is unfair for the majority of the people because games are HUGES and now internet provider has caps and secondly the speed, not all broadband speed keeps it full speed all day. I don't mind buying UMD's, i hope this new is not true because i don't mind buying the umd.

Wow, so you can get an empty case valued at $5? Are you freaking serious? Not to mention you're paying tax on it too.

So your choice is between $14.99 and $21.19. What the...

I may just be old and craggy, but I'm not buying this digital download thing, especially from Sony. They have draconian protections on their video content (can't redownload if you delete) and are VERY clear about telling you that you don't own anything you buy from them.

Downloads are fine and all, but I'd rather have a box on my shelf for my money. Even if its a USB key or flash drive, I want to own it.

Its too bad, I wanted to buy a couple copies of it so I could play with my girlfriend, but I think I'll pass now.

FAIL! complete and utter FAIL! I will not repeat NOT buy a download like this or any other way for that matter especially if it's to make it so that I can't BUY my games on hard media. Downloads are too volitile and cant disappear in a shot, all it takes is a stray static charge and you're out your 15 bucks.

"But oh it's only 15 bucks" yousay? If you buy this game on D/L then it says to sony you;re willing to buy bigger more expensive games this way, and soon you're paying 60 bucks for a few bits of data that can vanish at the whim of nothing you can ever lay your hands on.

Ok, no, dude, because you can re-download them. Noob.

I found this site: http://patapon2.info Maybe it will be useful.

Anyone know how large the PSN file is?

Previous 50 Comments

Patapon 2 won't be sold on UMD, retail to sell PSN vouchers [Update]

Patapon 2

Reader Comments (76)

Posted: Apr 13th 2009 6:08PM Scuffles said

Posted: Apr 13th 2009 4:13PM Kgg said

Posted: Apr 13th 2009 3:41PM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Apr 13th 2009 4:14PM Levi said

Posted: Apr 13th 2009 4:15PM Levi said

Posted: Apr 13th 2009 4:53PM chuckrich81 said

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Posted: Apr 13th 2009 5:59PM wallywallas said

Posted: Apr 13th 2009 6:14PM Scuffles said

Posted: Apr 14th 2009 7:03AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Apr 13th 2009 7:13PM JoshMilewski said

Posted: Apr 13th 2009 7:33PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Apr 13th 2009 7:53PM SpeeGold said

Posted: Apr 13th 2009 8:43PM Scuffles said

Posted: Apr 13th 2009 8:06PM wshwe said

Posted: Apr 14th 2009 12:44AM Railgun said

Posted: Apr 14th 2009 5:35AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Apr 14th 2009 8:28AM superstar said

Posted: Apr 14th 2009 10:26AM Clone TrooperTZ said

Posted: Apr 14th 2009 5:48PM linebeginstoblur said

Posted: Apr 14th 2009 8:00PM ins0mn1ac said

Posted: Apr 15th 2009 2:00AM PN04 said

Posted: Apr 18th 2009 3:53PM kevin949 said

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Posted: Apr 27th 2009 8:25PM EncodedNybble said

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