Hey I'm going to be picking this up, my first JRPG really because I don't count pokemon lol, and I was wondering which is the better buy the physical or digital version? Is the cover and disc art good enough to warrant a UMD purchase or are the load times of the download version so much better it makes the game more enjoyable? These are just a couple reasons to buy one version or the other, please feel free to answer with your own reasons. 

I wanted a case, so I bought the UMD.  There is a data install so the load times aren't bad.

get the UMD because PSN versions sometimes have glitches that the UMD ones don't.

PS2!!!
 
Seriously though, I like having the box. I'd buy the UMD.

UMD, simply for the box with artwork. It could cost you alot less too.

Get the UMD version.  The data install makes load times nonexistent (compared to Persona 4 on PS2), and a physical manual can be handy at times (especially the fusion chart).

I downloaded it and haven't been having trouble with it. The only thing I found was a slight frame rate drop during the "All Out Attacks" in one of the blocks. Other than thats I've had no problems.

I bought the PSN download. Its pretty big but UMDs are noisy and kill the battery.

i am a minimalist so i tend to lean to the digital copy. i dont care much for cases or manuals. 

I stopped buying physical copies of games for both PC and PSP. They're just a hassle. UMDs in particular as they suck the life out of your battery like a hooker on meth. Just get a 16GB Memory Stick and download the game.
 
@trophyhunter said:

" get the UMD because PSN versions sometimes have glitches that the UMD ones don't. "

psn cause i didnt get anything cool with umd and i got it at midnight.

" psn cause i didnt get anything cool with umd and i got it at midnight. "

UMD.  You have a physical copy, and any advantage of the PSN is mitigated by a data install to memory.

The instruction manual is crazy usefull for the Fusion chart, so umd is usefull for that. Data install makes it the fastest loading persona game to date too, but that's true whether you go umd or psn.

" I stopped buying physical copies of games for both PC and PSP. They're just a hassle. UMDs in particular as they suck the life out of your battery like a hooker on meth. Just get a 16GB Memory Stick and download the game.
 
@trophyhunter said:

" get the UMD because PSN versions sometimes have glitches that the UMD ones don't. "

What? That's not true. "

It all depends on personal preference. If you don't mind not having a box and manual, go for the PSN release. If you like having a box, as I do, then go for the UMD. As people have mentioned, there's a data install option so you can make the load times virtually non-existant even if you have it on UMD, so there's no problem.

" The only thing I found was a slight frame rate drop during the "All Out Attacks" in one of the blocks. "

" @Tactical_Kill said:

" The only thing I found was a slight frame rate drop during the "All Out Attacks" in one of the blocks. "

I have the UMD version and that happens to me too sometimes.  I'd say get the PSN version if you don't care about making your game library look pretty "

UMD for the packaging and then dump the ISO and play with CFW.

If you can find it second hand or cheap: UMD. otherwise go PSN. 
I saved 10 bucks opting for the digital version, the loading times are great and have had no issues at ALL.

I bought the UMD version for the Manual. 
The Persona Series is one of the few games that still make cool and informative manuals. It has a fusion chart, list of fusion spells, description of every status ailment, Tells you how to do pretty much everything, and all of it in color with pretty pictures.

I went with PSN (I have a Go so...). If you look at the quick look, there seems to be some UMD loading slow down. The PSN version, for me, went seamlessly through screens with no slow down.

PSN, I have my PSP because it's easy to carry around, so carrying around multple cases is not great.

" I bought the PSN download. Its pretty big but UMDs are noisy and kill the battery. "

Atlus has the manual available for download on the P3P website as a pdf if you want it. I got the PSN version and I haven't run into any glitches, there are basically no loading times, and the voice clips start right away.

" I went with PSN (I have a Go so...). If you look at the quick look, there seems to be some UMD loading slow down. The PSN version, for me, went seamlessly through screens with no slow down. "

If this is your first persona you're going to need that fucking manual more than anything. You can print it from the site but make sure you have that sucker on you at all times.
Also: UMD...why not.

" @DonutFever: 1GB on a 2GB card is big lol "