A huge retro gaming archive that looked set to disappear at the end of March has now been preserved, thanks to a large-scale community effort.

Myrient, one of the biggest repositories of retro video game files on the internet, announced earlier this year that it would shut down on March 31, 2026 due to rising operating costs. The site hosts hundreds of terabytes of ROMs, ISOs, and other game preservation files.

Now, members of the gaming community say they have successfully backed up the entire archive before the shutdown happens.

Community Backup Preserves Entire Myrient Library

According to a post shared on X by Pirat_Nation on March 12, the Myrient archive has been “100% backed up by the community”.

https://t.co/1YB0tjuyTx

— TheWizWiki (@TheWizWiki) March 12, 2026

The archive reportedly contains more than 390 terabytes of organised video game data, including ROMs and disc images spanning decades of gaming history.

Multiple reports confirm that community members quickly coordinated after the shutdown announcement. The goal was simple but enormous in scale, download and mirror every file before the servers went offline.

As a result, the full dataset has now been preserved. Some sources place the final backup at roughly 385TB, reflecting the verified portion of the archive that was successfully mirrored and validated by volunteers.

What Myrient Is And Why It Matters For Retro Gaming

Myrient has long been a major resource for retro gaming enthusiasts and emulation communities. The site organised massive collections of game ROMs and disc images used for emulating classic systems.

These included titles from older consoles and computers, along with later systems such as PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii U.

For preservationists, archives like Myrient play an important role in keeping gaming history accessible. Museums and research projects have increasingly highlighted video games as a significant part of modern culture, and losing large digital collections can mean losing parts of that history.

Why The Archive Was Shutting Down

Despite its importance to the preservation community, Myrient’s operators announced that they could no longer afford to keep the service running.

Reports indicate the archive cost roughly US$6,000 per month to host, largely due to the enormous storage requirements needed to maintain hundreds of terabytes of data.

The team behind the project also cited several other problems affecting the site. These included abusive download managers that bypassed donation requests, as well as commercial services using the archive despite its strict non-profit rules.

At the same time, hardware prices have been rising sharply. Increased demand from AI data centres has driven up the cost of RAM, SSDs, and hard drives, making large-scale storage projects significantly more expensive to maintain.

How The Backup Effort Worked

Members of the SaveMyrient community began coordinating downloads almost immediately after the shutdown announcement.

One moderator involved in the effort, known online as Ill-Economist-5285, confirmed that volunteers worked behind the scenes to download and verify the archive. According to posts shared in the community, the full mirror of the database has now been completed and validated.

The next step is distributing the data. The team is currently generating torrent files so the archive can be shared more widely, though organisers say torrents are likely a temporary solution while longer-term hosting options are explored.

Community members have also discussed launching an updated website in the future, though no official replacement platform has been announced yet.

What Happens When Myrient Goes Offline

The original Myrient website is still scheduled to shut down on March 31, 2026.

However, because the full archive has already been backed up, the data itself will not disappear when the servers are switched off. Instead, it will likely continue circulating through community mirrors, torrents, and future preservation projects.

Exactly what form that will take is still unclear. For now, though, retro gaming fans appear to have pulled off one of the largest grassroots preservation efforts the hobby has ever seen.

With hundreds of terabytes of classic games now safely copied, decades of gaming history will remain available for future preservation work and research.

The post Gamers Save 385TB Myrient Retro Game Archive Before Shutdown appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The MARVEL MaXimum Collection has officially been announced, and yes, it finally brings X-Men: The Arcade Game back to modern consoles in a proper, physical release. Konami has teamed up with Marvel Games and Limited Run Games to bundle together 13 classic Marvel titles from the 8-bit and 16-bit era, spanning arcades, home consoles, and handhelds.

Marvel Super Heroes, assemble!

Presenting MARVEL MaXimum Collection! Featuring 13 illustrious games, preserved across all their console and handheld counterparts. Including X-Men: The Arcade Game, Maximum Carnage, and more!

Take to the streets, and welcome to MARVEL MaXimum… pic.twitter.com/qrhEdSSkXZ

— Marvel Games (@MarvelGames) February 25, 2026

For longtime fans who grew up crowding around that massive six-player X-Men cabinet, this is a big one. And for newer players who have only heard stories about it, this might be the easiest way yet to see what all the fuss was about.

X-Men: The Arcade Game Leads The Lineup

Despite its legacy, the game has had a surprisingly limited afterlife. It received a digital release on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 back in 2010, but it has never had a physical console port. The MARVEL MaXimum Collection changes that, marking its first-ever physical release on modern hardware.

This new version includes six-player online multiplayer with rollback netcode, aiming to recreate that crowded arcade energy over the internet. That rollback support should make online co-op feel far smoother than older retro re-releases.

Every Game Included In MARVEL MaXimum Collection

Here is the full lineup:

• X-Men: The Arcade Game, Arcade
• Captain America and The Avengers, Arcade, Sega Genesis or Mega Drive, NES
• Spider-Man/Venom: Maximum Carnage, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis or Mega Drive
• Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis or Mega Drive
• Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade’s Revenge, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis or Mega Drive, Game Boy, Game Gear
• Silver Surfer, NES

That means you are not just getting one version of a game. In several cases, you can directly compare the SNES and Genesis editions, complete with their different visuals, soundtracks, and performance quirks.

And yes, the infamous Silver Surfer on NES is here too. If you know, you know.

Modern Features And Quality Of Life Upgrades

This is not just a straight ROM dump. MARVEL MaXimum Collection includes rewind functionality and save states across all games, which should make brutally difficult sections far more manageable.

There are also cheat menus and display filters, letting players switch between crisp modern visuals and CRT-style scanline effects for a more authentic retro look.

An Archive section is included as well, featuring high-resolution scans of original box art, instruction manuals, and vintage advertisements. A built-in music player allows you to listen to the classic chip-tune soundtracks from every included version.

Composer Chris Huelsbeck is also contributing new music for the collection, adding something fresh alongside the preserved originals.

Platforms And Release Window

MARVEL MaXimum Collection is confirmed for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Windows PC via Steam.

A specific release date has not yet been announced. The publishers have only said it is coming soon, with more details including pricing expected at a later date.

Limited Run Games is handling the release alongside Konami and Marvel Games, with Carbon Engine supporting the project’s technical side.

Marvel Games In 2026

The timing is interesting. 2026 is shaping up to be a busy year for Marvel Games overall. Marvel’s Wolverine is set to launch on PlayStation 5 on September 15, while other titles like Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls and Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra are also slated for release this year.

The MARVEL MaXimum Collection sits at the opposite end of that spectrum, looking backward instead of forward. Instead of cutting-edge visuals and cinematic storytelling, this one leans fully into arcade chaos, pixel art, and punishing difficulty.

For anyone who missed these games the first time around, or who just wants to relive that era without digging out old hardware, this could end up being one of the more interesting retro releases of the year.

The post Marvel MaXimum Collection Brings X-Men Arcade Back On PS5, Switch And Xbox appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Nintendo has quietly delivered a big win for strategy RPG fans. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is now available on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, bringing one of the most sought after GameCube titles to the Nintendo Switch 2.

The addition lands exclusively through Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics, a library only accessible on the Switch 2, and it feels perfectly timed with a brand new Fire Emblem game set to arrive later this year.

A Classic Fire Emblem Returns

Originally released in 2005 for the Nintendo GameCube, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance marked a major turning point for the long running tactical RPG series. It was the franchise’s first full leap into 3D visuals, featuring animated battlefields, fully voiced cutscenes, and a more cinematic presentation than earlier handheld entries.

Set on the war torn continent of Tellius, the story follows Ike, a young mercenary drawn into a conflict between the human beorc and the shapeshifting laguz. Themes of prejudice, power, and uneasy alliances run throughout the campaign, giving Path of Radiance a reputation as one of the strongest narratives in Fire Emblem history.

Just like the original, the brutal permadeath system is intact. Lose a unit in battle and they are gone for good, raising the stakes of every encounter.

Exclusive To Switch 2 GameCube Classics

Path of Radiance is part of the Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics lineup, which is only available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members who own a Switch 2. The game is not playable on the original Nintendo Switch.

This latest update makes it the first new GameCube title added to the service in 2026, and the eighth overall GameCube game available so far. It joins other heavy hitters already on the platform, including Luigi’s Mansion, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, Super Mario Strikers, Chibi Robo, Wario World, and Soul Calibur II.

Modern Features With A Retro Feel

As with other GameCube classics on Switch 2, Path of Radiance benefits from a range of quality of life upgrades. Players can expect higher resolution visuals, button remapping, save states, and an optional CRT filter for a more authentic retro look. Games that originally supported local multiplayer can also be played online with friends.

Nintendo has also added the game’s soundtrack to the Nintendo Music app, giving fans another way to revisit its iconic score.

A Rare Game Made Accessible

One of the biggest reasons this release matters is rarity. Physical copies of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance have become extremely expensive over the years, often selling for around USD $200 on resale markets. Its arrival on Nintendo Switch Online makes the game far more accessible to modern players, without the need to hunt down a costly disc.

For fans who missed it the first time, or veterans eager for a replay, this is easily the most convenient way to experience one of the series’ defining entries.

Perfect Timing Ahead Of The Next Fire Emblem

The release also lines up neatly with anticipation for the next mainline Fire Emblem game, Fortune’s Wave, which is confirmed as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. While a firm release date has not yet been announced, having Path of Radiance available now gives fans plenty to sink their teeth into while they wait.

With more GameCube titles still teased from earlier Nintendo Direct presentations, including Pokémon Colosseum, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, and Super Mario Sunshine, the GameCube Classics library is shaping up to be a major draw for Switch 2 owners.

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is available now via Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, which costs USD $49.99 per year.

The post Nintendo Switch Online Added a New GameCube Classic For Switch 2 Players appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

A Fresh Take on Marvel’s Cosmic Mayhem

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion has officially landed on PC and consoles, bringing a colourful wave of retro action, tag-team combat, and deep-cut Marvel lore for fans to sink into. Released today across Steam, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, this arcade-style beat ‘em up comes from Dotemu and Tribute Games, the duo behind Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge.

Get it NOW: https://t.co/wJlex7f8ir

— MARVEL Cosmic Invasion (@MARVELCosmicInv) December 1, 2025

Cosmic Invasion aims to take the best parts of classic Marvel stories, pixel-art brawlers, and tag-team fighters, blending them into a fast, energetic adventure that celebrates the golden eras of Marvel comics and games. Whether you want a casual weekend romp or a full co-op marathon with mates, there’s a lot here for fans of the genre.

Annihilus Attacks, and the Heroes Assemble

The setup is delightfully comic-book simple. Annihilus unleashes the Annihilation Wave across the galaxy, and it’s up to a mixed roster of Earth-based and cosmic heroes to push back against the invasion. It plays out like a multi-issue event series, complete with iconic locations, familiar villains, and plenty of cosmic flair.

Cosmic Invasion features 15 playable heroes ranging from the obvious icons to the more obscure favourites. You can brawl as Captain America, Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Storm, or go cosmic with Silver Surfer, Nova, Phyla-Vell, Beta Ray Bill, and even Cosmic Ghost Rider. Venom, She-Hulk, Rocket, Black Panther, and Phoenix also join the lineup, making it one of Marvel’s most varied brawler rosters to date.

Image Credit: Dotemu

Tag-Team Combat at the Core

What sets Marvel Cosmic Invasion apart is its tag-team system. Instead of controlling a single hero, players pick two characters and swap between them mid-battle. This Cosmic Swap mechanic creates combos that feel closer to Marvel vs. Capcom than a traditional beat ‘em up, pushing players to experiment with synergy, assists, and special attacks.

Each hero plays differently too. Wolverine is all speed and slicing combos, while She-Hulk focuses on heavy, explosive blows. Cap’s shield ricochets through enemies, Rocket’s grenades add unpredictable chaos, and Phyla-Vell can teleport to her thrown sword to continue mid-air strings. Iron Man’s wide-screen laser beam is pure MvC nostalgia, while Beta Ray Bill’s Stormbreaker can hover in place to juggle foes.

Image Credit: Dotemu

The style and personality are captured through gorgeous pixel art. Tribute Games’ animation work shines here, from Phyla-Vell’s flowing hair to Venom’s subtle transformations. The voice acting leans into the classic comic feel, giving the whole game an authentic Saturday-morning-cartoon energy.

Campaign, Arcade Modes, and Co-op Mayhem

The main campaign takes players through 15 stages, spanning iconic Marvel locations like New York City, Wakanda, Genosha, the Savage Land, Fort Galactus, and even Klyntar. Stages are short, punchy, and packed with references that long-time fans will enjoy spotting.

There are collectibles, optional challenges, and environmental hazards to keep things interesting, plus a steeper Arcade Mode unlocked after finishing the story. Stages typically run about 10 to 15 minutes, making the campaign a smooth three-hour run for most players.

Cosmic Invasion also supports up to four-player local and online co-op with drop-in functionality. It dynamically adjusts difficulty based on player count, making it easy to play with friends without sacrificing the challenge.

Progression, Rewards, and the Vault

Heroes level up as you play them, unlocking new passive abilities, stat boosts, and unique upgrades. This progression encourages swapping characters and experimenting with different duos rather than sticking with one main from start to finish.

The Vault adds more replayability, offering lore entries, music tracks, hero profiles, and colour palettes to unlock with Cosmic Cubes earned in-game. It’s a fun space for completionists and a nod to old arcade extras.

Reviews Praise Its Retro Vibes and Action

Early reviews from major gaming outlets highlight the game’s strengths, especially its combat and character variety.

IGN calls the tag-team idea a bold twist that “rules”, praising the individuality of each hero and the gorgeous pixel art, though noting enemy variety can get repetitive.

Game Informer praises Tribute Games for “modernising arcade classics” with satisfying combos, fun references, and well-implemented co-op that shines with four players on screen.

Across both reviews, the consensus is clear. Marvel Cosmic Invasion might not reinvent the genre, but it stands as a polished, entertaining brawler filled with charm, nostalgia, and depth.

Available Now

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is out now on PC and consoles for USD 29.99 and is also included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Players can wishlist the game on Steam or join the official Discord to stay updated on future content.

If you’re after a colourful, chaotic, co-op-friendly beat ‘em up with a nostalgic Marvel twist, this one is worth suiting up for.

The post Marvel Cosmic Invasion Brings Classic Arcade Chaos to Modern Platforms appeared first on Shane the Gamer.