Video Game History Foundation
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After spending $60,000 on an "unheard of" first-party Nintendo prototype, anonymous collector pulls the ultimate good guy move and releases the ROM for preservationists to study for free
An anonymous collector purchased a rare prototype of Nintendo's Punch-Out!! for over $60,000 and has released the ROM for free, allowing for the preservation and study of early game development. This move is praised by preservationists like Frank Cifaldi of the Video Game History Foundation, who notes the rarity of such an early build of a major first-party title.
There's a "TV apocalypse" in video game preservation as CRTs go extinct, expert says, and that's just the tip of the iceberg as work continues to save retro hardware
The extinction of CRT televisions poses a significant challenge to video game preservation, as many retro games were designed with their display characteristics in mind. Experts at the Game Developers Conference 2026 highlighted this 'TV apocalypse' as part of a larger crisis facing game historians, who are working to preserve not only playable games but also crucial development materials like schematics to aid in emulation and future game presentation.
Copyright trolling kept evidence of Japanese cult classic Cookie's Bustle offline, until now
The Video Game History Foundation has successfully defended the obscure Japanese point-and-click game Cookie's Bustle against copyright trolling by Graceware. Graceware had repeatedly used DMCA takedowns to remove content related to the 1999 game, but the VGHF pushed back, leading to Ukie ceasing its takedown services for Graceware. This victory helps preserve the game's history and online presence.
Game History and Preservation
The Video Game History Foundation has successfully intervened to save a game from copyright trolls, highlighting ongoing challenges in game preservation. This action underscores the foundation's commitment to protecting video game history.
"They F**ked With Us": Video Game History Foundation Saves A Game From Copyright Trolls
The Video Game History Foundation has successfully resolved a copyright dispute with Graceware Inc. over the 1990s PC game Cookie's Bustle. Graceware had aggressively filed DMCA takedown notices, but the VGHF proved the company did not own the rights, allowing for better preservation of the obscure title. The foundation has stated it may pursue legal action if Graceware attempts further spurious takedowns.
