Video Game Preservation
Ongoing coverage on Video Game Preservation.
Latest coverage
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.
PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 is getting improved handheld PC support
The PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 is receiving updates to improve its user experience on handheld PCs like the Steam Deck and Legion Go. Upcoming features include a redesigned in-game home menu, on-the-fly settings changes, better button mapping, and the ability to add games to Steam directly from RPCS3.
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.
Preview: Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection Feels Well-Organized
The Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection aims to preserve seven Nintendo DS titles with a well-organized presentation, similar to the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection. The compilation features clear game structuring, supplemental features like an art gallery and music player, and display options for the dual screens. The collection is set to release on March 27, 2026, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Ahead of Myrient's RAM crisis-linked demise, volunteers are working to archive its entire collection
The video game preservation service Myrient is set to shut down at the end of March due to a lack of funding, exacerbated by rising hardware costs. In response, a volunteer group named Minerva is working to archive Myrient's entire collection of millions of files to prevent permanent loss.
For better or worse, Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen's Switch ports aren't exactly as we remember them - but is that a problem?
Nintendo's rerelease of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Nintendo Switch has sparked community outcry due to their £16.99 price point each. While not direct ports, featuring a profanity filter and bug fixes like the 'Roaming Roar bug', the changes and cost have divided fans. The article discusses whether these alterations and the price are acceptable for accessing classic Pokémon titles on modern hardware.
UK games collector raided by police after purchasing £10,000 worth of hardware, including old dev kits, disposed…
A London-based collector, Darius Khan, was raided by UK police after purchasing approximately £10,000 worth of discarded Sega hardware, including development kits. The police alleged the dev kits were stolen, though Khan has not been charged. The incident highlights the challenges in video game preservation and corporate intellectual property protection.
The "video game preservation service" Myrient is shutting down in March
The video game preservation service Myrient is set to shut down on March 31, 2026, due to insufficient funding and rising hardware costs. The owner cited a lack of donation support, the rise of paywalled download managers bypassing site protections, and increased prices for RAM, SSD, and HDD due to AI demand as reasons for the closure. This marks a significant loss for accessing classic games not readily available elsewhere.
What if you… listened to Retronauts this week ⊟
The latest Retronauts podcast episode, hosted by Eric, Jeremy Parish, and Chris Kohler, discusses essential game recommendations for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShops before their closure. The discussion includes personal memories and highlights the importance of preserving digital game libraries.