This is more applicable to over-hyped, AAA titles. A lot of the games mentioned in comments are smaller, indie developed passion projects that get the TLC they deserve.
Gosh I loved that game! I pirated it because I was a broke kid, it ran like a Diashow on the netbook so I did not buy it. Then when I got a gaming PC I pirated it again, and later wanted to buy it. I was disappointed lol. Still got it on my steam wishlist.