OmniDrive Lets Players Back Up Classic Console Games Using Standard Blu-ray Drives

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A new community-driven project called OmniDrive is generating excitement among game preservation enthusiasts by allowing compatible Blu-ray drives to read and back up physical console games that were previously inaccessible on standard PC hardware.

Developed by a group of enthusiasts led by developer RibShark, OmniDrive is an open-source firmware modification built around the MediaTek MT1959 chipset found in several Hitachi-LG Data Storage drives, including select ASUS and LG models. Once installed, the firmware unlocks support for proprietary disc formats used by systems such as the Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, original Xbox, and Xbox 360.

The biggest appeal is preservation. Instead of downloading game files from the internet, players can create backups directly from discs they already own. For collectors and retro gaming fans, that means an easier and more legitimate way to archive physical libraries for use with emulators and preservation projects.

Interestingly, OmniDrive’s compatibility extends beyond older systems. The firmware can also read discs from newer platforms including the Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. However, those newer formats remain protected by modern encryption methods, meaning additional steps are still required before the data can be fully utilized.