Ars Technica and their always informative retail mole leaked shipped copies of Patapon 2 would be a download voucher inside a UMD case. Sony later confirmed the rumor explaining the $20 retail game will also be available on the PlayStation Store on the same date for $15.
Last fall, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan introduced a similar strategy for first party games where downloadable versions would be simultaneously launched for a slightly lower price. The difference is retail versions of Loco Roco 2, Bleach: Soul Carnival, and Patapon 2 came with a physical UMD disc.
Copies of Patapon 2 found in US stores will not come with a UMD disc. The extra $5 goes towards cover art, box (need a spare PSP case?), voucher, and a demo code – if you reserve Patapon 2 at Gamestop or Amazon. The demo sounds worthless since you’re buying the game, but completionists may want it. Beating the demo unlocks a special hat that transfers over, along with the rest of your items and earned experience, to the final game. The only way to get the hat and collect everything in Patapon 2 is to play the demo. Sony Computer Entertainment America may release the demo later on, but have not announced any plans to do so.
