ROMHacking.net has ceased its main operation.
ROMacking.net, a popular website for video game ROMs, fan translations, and bug fixes is shutting down after roughly 20 years. Since its launch, ROMhacking.net has served as one of the largest (and oldest) sites on the internet for archiving ROMs from various gaming platforms. Now, the site is set to cease its main form of operation, although it will continue to exist as a news platform.
In a recent announcement on the site, ROMhacking.net’s founder, known as Nightcrawler, disclosed that the site would be ending its operations immediately. Nightcrawler explained that the decision to shut down the website’s ROM submission function was due to various reasons. Over the years, the site has accomplished many milestones and exceeded its initial expectations. Nightcrawler also mentioned that the internet landscape has changed, reducing the need for ROMhacking.net compared to its early days. Previous attempts to transfer ownership of the site to another group were unsuccessful, leading to the decision to cease operations.
“It’s been a successful near 20-year journey, but for various reasons, it’s time to bring things to a close,” Nightcrawler wrote. “The site has achieved almost everything it set out to do, and more. We have revolutionized the ROM hacking and translation communities, becoming a central hub for enthusiasts worldwide. Our legacy will be remembered for years to come.”
“The site’s growth and popularity posed challenges for sustainability. The demands for constant use, long queues, and overwhelming messages made it difficult to maintain. The internet landscape has evolved significantly since 2005,” the statement continued. “There are now numerous alternatives for community engagement, open-source projects, and file storage available online.”
Regarding the future of ROMhacking.net, Nightcrawler mentioned that the site’s database has been transferred to the Internet Archive for preservation. News posts and forums will remain accessible, while other associated channels have been deleted. The possibility of ROMhacking.net returning in a different capacity in the future remains uncertain, marking the end of an era for the beloved gaming archive site.
