Does the God of War PS5 come with a physical copy?
The Short Answer
Yes, the standard God of War Ragnarök PS5 console bundle does include the physical disc copy of the game. This version with the disc drive is the only bundle that guarantees you get the actual game disc along with the PS5 itself.
However, Sony also offers digital-only PS5 bundles with God of War Ragnarök pre-installed. These do not come with a disc drive at all. So it‘s important to understand exactly what you‘re getting when you purchase one of the GOW bundles.
Below I‘ll go into more detail on the differences between physical and digital games, the various PS5 God of War bundles available, what‘s included in each, and expert advice for deciding which is best for your needs.
Physical vs. Digital Game Formats
There are pros and cons to both physical game discs and digital game licenses. Fundamentally, the disc gives you an actual physical product to install, lend out, or resell, while the digital version offers greater convenience since it‘s tied to your PSN account and downloads directly to your console.
| Physical Disc | Digital License | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Fully own game, can resell | Non-transferrable license |
| Durability | Discs can break/scratch | Digital games don‘t degrade |
| Sharing | Can lend/gift discs | Only your account has access |
| Convenience | Must insert disc to play | Instant access, remote downloads |
According to PlayStation, nearly 60% of PS5 games sold were still physical discs rather than digital as of June 2022. Gamers seem to still prefer having an actual product in hand even in our increasingly digital era. The ability to resell or share physical games continues holding appeal.
However, PSN digital sales have increased exponentially in recent years thanks to the rise of digital storefronts. The convenience of downloading games without leaving your couch can‘t be understated either.
So whether to go physical or digital depends largely on your personal preferences as a gamer.
Breaking Down the God of War Bundles
Sony offers various PlayStation 5 console bundles that package the system together with God of War Ragnarök. The key factor differentiating these options is whether they come with a disc drive PS5 or the Digital Edition console.
Here‘s what you get with each GOW bundle version:
God of War Ragnarök PS5 Console Bundle
- Disc drive PS5 system
- DualSense wireless controller
- Physical God of War Ragnarök game disc
- $549.99 MSRP
God of War Ragnarök Digital PS5 Console Bundle
- Digital Edition PS5 system (no disc drive)
- DualSense wireless controller
- God of War Ragnarök game pre-installed
- Voucher to download game
- $449.99 MSRP
Both systems are otherwise identical. The only difference is whether they include a Blu-Ray disc drive or not.
Sony also offers two more expensive special editions of the game itself:
God of War Ragnarök Collector‘s Edition
- Steelbook Display Case
- 2" Vanir Twins Carvings
- Digital Download Voucher
- $199.99 MSRP
God of War Ragnarök Jötnar Edition
- Steelbook Display Case
- 7" Vinyl with Bear McCreary Music
- Digital Download Voucher
- $259.99 MSRP
Despite the higher price tag, neither of these special editions actually includes a physical game disc. You only get a digital voucher code to download the game.
So out of all the options, the disc-based PS5 God of War bundle remains the sole choice for gamers that want a physical copy of Ragnarök to install from the disc rather than downloading.
Making the Right Choice for You
At the end of the day, deciding between physical or digital comes down to your personal preferences as a gamer and PlayStation owner.
If you prefer having an actual disc to install from and value the ownership it represents, then spring for the standard God of War PS5 bundle. Or buy the game by itself in disc form.
But if convenience and instant access are more important, the digital edition may be a better fit. You save $100 upfront and can pre-load Ragnarök to play the minute it releases. Just understand you won‘t get a physical disc to display.
Hopefully breaking down the exact contents of each bundle helps you buy the version that best aligns with your needs and priorities. The key is making an informed purchase knowing what format of the game you‘ll receive.
And if you have any other questions on the new God of War, feel free to reach out! I‘m always happy to chat more about this incredible franchise. Skål!
