‘A common ethos is one reason we succeeded’
Hamster Corporation is doing the lord’s work. Game preservation is becoming more and more necessary in an era where original files can become corrupted and in some cases: lost, if they’re not proliferated. Kickstarting new ports helps re-ignite interest in the source material for many retro classics, and that’s just what Hamster is doing with the Arcade Archives on Switch (and other platforms), alongside of any number of projects Hamster has on their plate.
Speaking to Famitsu, Hamster Corporation producer Satoshi Hamada was able to lay a little groundwork for what they’re trying to accomplish with the series and how they were even able to make it happen. Straight from Hamada’s mouth: “The ‘Arcade Archives’ series was established with the aim of looking back into the past and restoring classic arcade games. This is just my guess, but I think a common ethos is one reason we succeeded.”
He also muses that he was initially stunned to see that Nintendo was being so helpful: “I’ve always wanted to release a collection of famous Nintendo arcade titles via the ‘Arcade Archives’ series. With that wish and also Nintendo’s cooperation, we were finally able to make that a reality. When it was finally decided we would do it, I think I was more surprised than anyone. I think being allowed to port Nintendo’s titles [also] has a lot to do with a history we share… on the Wii U we released games on the Virtual Console.”
Interestingly enough Hamada notes that in some cases they can’t acquire the original circuit boards for a project, and thus, “can’t republish the game at all.” It’s an unfortunate reality, but one Hamster is fighting to prevent.
Arcade Archives [Famitsu via Nintendo Everything]
