EmuParadise removes ROMs
Users won't be able to download games from long-running site any more; "It's not worth it for us to risk potentially disastrous consequences"
Retro gaming site EmuParadise has taken down its extensive collection of console game ROMs. An update on the site from founder MasJ suggested a growing risk of legal action prompted the move.
"It's not worth it for us to risk potentially disastrous consequences," the post reads. "I cannot in good conscience risk the futures of our team members who have contributed to the site through the years. We run EmuParadise for the love of retro games and for you to be able to revisit those good times. Unfortunately, it's not possible right now to do so in a way that makes everyone happy and keeps us out of trouble."
The post goes on to say that the site will continue to host emulators and focus on retro gaming, but "you won't be able to get your games from here for now."
MasJ said that in the 18 years since it was established, EmuParadise has received threats, takedown notices, and had its hosting pulled from it due to copyright complaints.
"It's been a long and beautiful journey with many ups and downs," MasJ said in the update. "When I started EmuParadise things could have gone either way. But right now the direction they are going in could not be more than clear."
One indicator of that direction could have been last month's news that Nintendo had filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against a pair of console ROM sites, LoveROMs and LoveRETRO. Both sites have since shut down.