ROMhacking.net, a popular hub for fan-made ROM translations, hacks, patches, and tools, is shutting down, according to the site administrator, Nightcrawler. Launched in 2004 as a successor to another fallen site, The Repository (ROMhacking.com), ROMhacking.net will continue to allow access to existing tools, patches, and documentation for homebrew games, fan translations, and hacks. Forum discussions and news submissions will remain active, and the site’s contents will also be archived on the Internet Archive.
Despite plans to cease operations by 2023, Nightcrawler expressed hesitance over transferring ownership, fearing that the new administrators might invade his privacy. Subsequently, he chose to close the site and minimize the website’s social media and Discord presence. This decision marked the end of the portal best known for providing documentation, ROM patches, utilities, and even exclusive features like online patchers and hashers.
It’s uncertain how long ROMhacking.net will retain its files. The site’s most recent highlight includes two English patches released on July 31, 2024 for ‘From TV Animation One Piece: Yume no Luffy Kaizokudan Tanjou’ and ‘Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes’. Notably, any purchases made through the site’s links may contribute a small affiliate commission supporting Siliconera, explaining their vested interest in informing their audience about the shutdown.
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