I think that installing disk games is silly (unless I’m confused) and Nintendo’s cartridges are a bit too fancy imho. Why can’t the game consoles spin the disks (and create the iconic, small background noise) like they used to?

The shift from traditional optical discs to solid-state drives (SSDs) and cartridges in modern gaming consoles has fundamentally changed the gaming experience, impacting load times, storage capacity, and overall performance.

Advantages of SSDs and Cartridges

1. Speed and Performance:

   • SSDs provide significantly faster read/write speeds compared to hard disk drives (HDDs) and optical discs. This results in reduced loading times, with some games loading up to 60% faster on SSDs than on HDDs14. For instance, the PlayStation 5 can start a 100GB game in about 15 seconds, compared to over a minute on older systems1.

   • Cartridges, like those used by Nintendo for the Switch, also offer quicker load times and do not require installation, making them advantageous for portable gaming28.

2. Reliability:

   • SSDs have no moving parts, making them more reliable and less prone to mechanical failure than disc drives1. Similarly, cartridges are more durable and less susceptible to damage than discs, which can scratch easily and affect performance25.

3. Portability:

   • Cartridges are inherently more portable than discs. They do not require a spinning mechanism, which helps maintain battery life in handheld devices like the Nintendo Switch23. This design choice aligns with Nintendo's focus on portable gaming.

The Decline of Optical Discs

The move away from optical discs is also driven by several factors:

• Data Size and Complexity: Modern games are larger and more complex than those of previous generations. Optical media struggles with random access speeds and data retrieval times, which become critical as game sizes increase69. SSDs can handle these demands more efficiently.

• Cost Efficiency: While discs are cheaper to produce, the overall cost of ownership—including storage, distribution, and potential damage—makes cartridges or digital downloads more appealing for both manufacturers and consumers26.

• Digital Sales Dominance: The gaming industry is increasingly shifting towards digital sales, which eliminates the need for physical media altogether. This trend reduces overhead costs associated with producing and distributing physical copies6.

Nostalgia vs. Modern Efficiency

While many gamers may miss the iconic sounds of spinning discs from earlier consoles, the transition to SSDs and cartridges reflects a broader trend towards efficiency and performance in gaming. The focus has shifted from physical media to digital convenience, speed, and reliability, aligning with contemporary gaming needs and technological advancements.