Collecting retro games is more than just a hobby—it’s a way to preserve gaming history. However, as time goes on, cartridges degrade, discs become unreadable, and classic consoles break down. If you want to ensure that your retro game collection remains playable for years to come, backing up and preserving your games is essential.
Many gamers believe that once they own a game, it will last forever. Unfortunately, physical media isn’t as durable as we’d like to think. Game cartridges from the NES and SNES era are prone to battery failures, while CDs and DVDs can suffer from disc rot, rendering them useless. Even magnetic storage formats, like floppy disks and early hard drives, degrade over time. Without proper care, entire collections can be lost to aging hardware, accidental damage, or even theft.
Fortunately, modern technology allows us to digitally back up games, scan manuals and box art, and even create replicas of aging cartridges and discs. Whether you’re a hardcore collector, a preservationist, or simply someone who wants to ensure that your favorite childhood games don’t disappear, here’s how to properly back up and preserve your retro game collection.
Why Backup Your Retro Games?
Backing up your games isn’t just about convenience—it’s about ensuring that the games you love remain accessible, even if the original hardware fails. Here are some of the main reasons why every retro gaming fan should consider backing up their collection:
- Prevent Data Loss – Cartridges and discs degrade over time. Once a game is unreadable, it’s gone unless you have a backup.
- Preserve Save Data – Many older games use internal batteries for save storage, which eventually die. Backing up save files ensures that hundreds of hours of gameplay don’t disappear.
- Protect Against Theft or Damage – If a game in your collection is lost, stolen, or accidentally damaged, a backup ensures you can still play it.
- Convenience – Playing digital backups on modded consoles, flashcarts, or emulators allows you to access your collection without constantly swapping physical media.
Now that we understand the importance of backups, let’s explore how to preserve different types of retro games.
Backing Up Cartridges (NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis, etc.)
Cartridge-based games have been surprisingly durable, but they’re not invincible. Over time, pins can corrode, internal batteries die, and PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) can fail. The best way to preserve cartridge games is to create a digital ROM backup.
How to Dump ROMs from Cartridges
To back up your cartridge-based games, you’ll need a ROM dumper. These devices read the cartridge’s data and convert it into a ROM file that can be played on an emulator, a flashcart, or a modded console. Some of the best tools for this include:
- Retrode 2 – One of the best all-in-one cartridge dumpers, supporting SNES, Genesis, and more with adapters.
- Krikkz Flashcarts (EverDrive Series) – Some EverDrive flashcarts allow dumping ROMs directly to an SD card.
- Kazzo NES Dumper – Ideal for backing up NES cartridges, especially if you want to modify ROMs.
Once you have dumped a game, store it in a well-organized digital library with proper filenames and metadata. This ensures that you can easily find and restore games when needed.
Backing Up Save Data from Cartridges
Many older games store save data inside the cartridge using a battery-powered SRAM chip. The problem? These batteries have a lifespan of 10-20 years, and once they die, the save file is lost forever.
To back up saves, you can use:
- GBxCart RW (Game Boy/ Game Boy Advance Save Backup)
- Retrode 2 (SNES, Genesis Save Backup)
- Save Game Extractors for Flashcarts
After backing up your save files, you can restore them to another cartridge, transfer them to an emulator, or use them on a modded console.
Backing Up CD and DVD-Based Games (PlayStation, Dreamcast, GameCube, PS2, etc.)
Unlike cartridges, CDs and DVDs are more fragile and prone to failure due to scratches, disc rot, and laser degradation. Making digital backups (ISO files) of your games ensures that you never lose access to them.
How to Rip Disc-Based Games
To create an ISO file from a game disc, you’ll need a PC with a DVD drive or a dedicated ripping tool. Some of the best software for ripping game discs include:
- ImgBurn (For PlayStation 1, Dreamcast, GameCube, PS2, and more)
- Redump Method (For creating perfect, bit-accurate disc backups)
- MakeMKV (For backing up FMV-based games)
If you have a modded PlayStation 2 with Open PS2 Loader (OPL) or a GDEMU on a Dreamcast, you can play ripped ISO files directly from an HDD or SD card, reducing wear on aging optical drives.
Preventing Disc Rot
Disc rot is a gradual breakdown of the reflective layer inside CDs and DVDs, making them unreadable. While you can’t stop the aging process completely, proper storage can help:
- Store discs in cool, dry places away from direct sunlight.
- Use high-quality jewel cases instead of cheap plastic sleeves.
- Keep a digital backup (ISO file) in case the original disc becomes unreadable.
Backing Up Manuals, Box Art, and Labels
Game preservation isn’t just about the software—manuals, box art, and cartridge labels are just as important. Many collectors scan their game boxes, manuals, and cartridges to create high-quality digital archives.
Some of the best ways to do this include:
- Flatbed Scanners – Ideal for scanning instruction manuals and box art.
- Smartphone Scanner Apps – Apps like Adobe Scan allow you to capture documents without a dedicated scanner.
- Label Protectors – For cartridges, clear protective labels can prevent fading and wear.
If you want to contribute to game preservation, sites like Archive.org and MobyGames allow users to upload and share high-quality scans of manuals and box art for historical reference.
Backing Up and Preserving Consoles
A game collection is only useful if you have the hardware to play it. Old consoles break down over time, so taking steps to preserve your hardware is just as important as backing up games.
Preventing Console Failure
- Replace Capacitors – Many older consoles (especially Sega Saturn and original Xbox) suffer from capacitor leakage, which can destroy the motherboard.
- Clean Cartridge Pins – Dirty or corroded pins can cause games not to load. Use isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush to clean them.
- Use Voltage Regulators – Old power adapters can send too much or too little voltage, damaging consoles. Consider modern power supply replacements.
- Install Optical Drive Emulators (ODEs) – Replacing disc drives with SD card solutions like GDEMU (Dreamcast) or XStation (PlayStation 1) eliminates disc wear.
Conclusion: Future-Proofing Your Retro Game Collection
Whether you have a few favorite childhood games or a massive collection of rare titles, backing them up is the best way to preserve gaming history. Digital backups ensure that your games remain playable even if the original hardware fails, while proper storage and maintenance protect the physical copies.
Have you started backing up your game collection? What’s your method for preserving your favorite retro titles? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below!