Hello, fellow XP gamers! Since my original post, I’ve spent every free minute of my life archiving every PC game that came out within a 15-year time span. An archive like that is cool, but not unique. Here is what makes my archive the only one worth using:

• If a game came out and later received patches, I’ve included those patches. Every game you download from my archive and fully install and patch will be the latest version available.



• If a game requires a CD key to install or play, I’ve included as many keys as I could find in a text file.



• If there were community-made cracks to bypass CD checks, I’ve included one.



• I standardized all disc image formats to just three: BIN/CUE, ISO, or MDF/MDS. Whenever I came across something outside these formats, I converted it without sacrificing any content.



• If a game has CD audio, it is included in the image. Not a single title is missing its music soundtrack. When you see MDF/MDS, there’s a 95% chance it’s in that format because it contains CD audio. You can emulate CD audio using Daemon Tools and ensuring your D-Tools virtual drive is assigned drive letter D.



• If a game has mods, community patches, or community-released versions, I’ve done my best to include them, so you can play what real fans prefer.



• No matter how complicated a game’s installation once was, I created a standardized folder organization system that simplifies even the most complex setup processes.



• All games, where possible, have been archived in an XP-friendly repacked format to expedite setup time.



• My collection criteria were as inclusive as possible. If a game is playable in English (fan translations included) and had at least one positive comment about it somewhere on the internet, it made it into the collection. This means there are many obscure titles waiting to be discovered!

The collection currently stands at 3,349 games and is tailored specifically for Windows XP users. It is only for dedicated XP users. That’s why you’re getting access to it! If you’re in this clan, you’re a vetted Windows XP gamer. You did the work of restoring a machine (or several); now you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

This archive is free to you forever. Gone are the days of scouring the internet for different bits of a retro PC game. There are five co-dependent websites that, before this release, were required to experience most games on a legacy machine. If one goes down, such as the Internet Archive or GameCopyWorld, it will hinder your gaming experience on Windows XP entirely. No matter what happens on the web now, the future of our niche hobby is safe.

The archive is, at least for now, only accessible on a Napster-esque file sharing platform called Soulseek. Soulseek is a peer-to-peer platform where people share anything they think is of value to others, whether it's music, shows, films, games, or any other media. All you have to do is search for what interests you. The chances of finding what you're looking for are fairly high on a platform like Soulseek.

I think one of the coolest features of Soulseek is that it actually works on Windows XP! There's an up to date 32-bit client. You could download your games from my archive directly onto your XP machine. Since everything needed is included in each game’s zip folder, there’s only minimal effort required before jumping into your desired game.

It is available for download here: link

For me, Soulseek was the perfect option to host this 4TB collection using my own server equipment. You can download thousands of games with just a few clicks. What took me nine continuous months could be yours idly within a matter of weeks. Everyone’s download speed are different. I haven’t placed any speed caps on the archive, but there is a limit on how many downloads can occur at once. I don’t want my network getting dogpiled, so you might end up in a queue. Just wait your turn. I assure you it will be worth it.

Once you're logged into Soulseek, search for "Retro Gaming" under the Rooms tab and join it.

Look for my account, The Achilles Archive, in the user list, right click on the name, and message me. State your relation to me and wait for me to add you to the approved user list. Once you're on that list, you have complete access to the entire archive. All you'll want to do at that point is add The Achilles Archive to your own user list for simpler future access and right click on username and then click on the Browse User's Files option. I believe the rest is pretty self explanatory.

This archive is online and available 24/7. There will be, within the next year or so, at least one mirror of the archive. You're free to clone the archive and share it yourself. As they say in the world of archivists, "lots of copies keeps stuff safe". It is absolutely true.

I sincerely hope that you use and enjoy this resource to the fullest.