Download everything while the storefront still authenticates your account, then keep two tested copies on separate devices. A durable archive includes the game, DLC, updates, installers, save files, license or account records, and notes about the version and dependencies. It preserves data—not a guarantee that a future device will accept your account, pass DRM checks, or recreate an online service.
What to do before the shutdown date
Start with the store that still lets you sign in. For every purchase, download the base game, every owned DLC item, available patches, language packs, bonus files, manuals and any installer or license information. Export your purchase history or retain receipts so you can prove what the account owns. Do not wait for a final weekend: authentication servers, download queues and console storage can fail before a published closure date.
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- Inventory accounts and storefronts. Record the account email, username, recovery method, two-factor authentication details and the platform or console linked to it.
- Download the complete library. Include editions, expansions, season-pass content, language files, patches and separately listed bonus material.
- Copy saves and settings independently. A storefront backup normally contains program files, not every local save, configuration file or mod.
- Create two copies on separate media. Keep one copy disconnected or in a different location so a failed drive, theft or ransomware event cannot destroy both.
- Restore or install one sample. A copy that looks complete in a file browser is not proven until it can be restored and launched.
- Document what worked. Write down the tested version, operating system, launcher, authentication behavior, DLC order, controller or runtime requirements and test date.
A backup preserves files, not permanent access
Digital game purchases are commonly licensed access rather than ownership of a transferable copy. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s 2025 report says standard-form contracts for Steam, Epic Games Store and PlayStation Network generally provide a revocable licence to access and play a digital game. An archive can therefore preserve installers and data while still failing to recreate an account entitlement, DRM check, launcher service, server-side download or online multiplayer network.
Separate the risks before choosing a method:
- Account dependence: the platform may require the original account to verify entitlement.
- DRM dependence: an executable may need periodic or first-launch authentication even when all files are present.
- Launcher dependence: a game may be installed from a backup but still expect a storefront client.
- Online-service dependence: matchmaking, cloud features, leaderboards and server-hosted content can disappear independently of the game files.
- Hardware and operating-system dependence: an old console, driver, runtime or controller may be needed to run the archived version.
Use an offline launch test to discover these limits while the store is still available; do not describe a copied folder as an indefinitely playable game unless you have verified that claim for that title and platform.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Choose storage that supports recovery
An external USB hard drive is the practical general-purpose destination for a large library. An external SSD is faster, quieter and more resistant to movement, but usually costs more per terabyte. For a Nintendo console that accepts removable storage, use a compatible SD or microSD card after checking the exact model and capacity requirements. A card or drive should be the archive target, not the only copy.
| Storage choice | Best use | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| External USB hard drive | Large, inexpensive primary archive kept at home | Mechanical parts can fail; protect it from drops and replace it before end-of-life symptoms. |
| External SSD | Portable second copy or frequent restore testing | Higher cost per terabyte; maintain a second independent copy. |
| Compatible SD or microSD card | Supported 3DS or Wii U storage workflows | Compatibility and console formatting are model-specific; a card alone does not preserve account access. |
| Second drive stored separately | Protection against drive failure, theft or local disaster | Must be refreshed and checked periodically, not left permanently forgotten. |
Estimate capacity from the actual downloaded library rather than the number of games. Leave room for patches, alternate languages, installer parts and future purchases. Use a clear folder hierarchy such as Platform / Title / Edition / Version, and preserve the original installer filenames when a platform requires multiple parts.
Steam: create a Backup and Restore set and prepare Offline Mode
Steam’s Backup and Restore feature is intended for games that completely download, install and patch through Steam. It backs up game files and associated DLC; it does not automatically guarantee that local saves or cloud-managed saves are captured.
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- Connect and mount the external archive drive, then ensure it has enough free space for the selected games and DLC.
- In the Steam client, open the library and use the client’s Backup and Restore Games command.
- Choose Backup currently installed programs, select each owned game and include its installed DLC.
- Choose the external drive and let Steam write the backup set, including its metadata files.
- Keep the metadata with the game data; do not rename or separate parts of the set.
- Repeat for titles installed on another library drive. A backup only contains the games you select.
Valve explicitly recommends a restoration test: “Testing your backup will ensure that you will not need to re-download the game at a later time.” Restore one smaller title to a spare library location while connected, confirm that Steam recognizes the files, and launch it.
Copy Steam saves separately
Save files may be local, stored in a game-specific folder, or synchronized through Steam Cloud. Cloud synchronization is useful for continuity but is not an independent archival guarantee: a deletion or corruption can synchronize to every device. Copy local save directories and configuration files separately, and note the path for each title. Include screenshots or notes for games whose save location is exposed only in documentation or an in-game export menu.
Rank #2
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- Back up smarter with included device management software[2] with defense against ransomware
- Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
- 3-year limited warranty
Verify Steam Offline Mode
- While connected, open each game from the intended computer and apply every pending game and workshop update you want to preserve.
- Confirm that the title reaches its main menu and that required redistributables, controller mappings and launch options are installed.
- In Steam, enable Offline Mode and restart the client when prompted.
- Disconnect the network completely, then launch the game again.
- Record whether it starts, which modes work and which features fail without a connection.
Valve’s Offline Mode instructions require launching games beforehand so Steam can verify that no further update or installation requirement exists. A successful test proves only the tested computer, account state and version; a different machine may still require authentication.
GOG: download every offline installer part
GOG provides a true offline-installer workflow for titles that support it. In your GOG library, choose DOWNLOAD OFFLINE BACKUP GAME INSTALLERS. Download the base-game setup files and every DLC, language pack or bonus installer listed for that product.
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- Create a dedicated folder for the title and keep all setup parts together.
- Download every numbered or split installer file; missing one part can make the set unusable.
- Copy the complete folder to a second drive without changing filenames.
- Test-install into a spare folder or a non-production computer rather than overwriting your working installation.
- Launch the installed game with the network disconnected and record the installer version, operating system and any runtime it requests.
GOG’s support documentation states: “Alternatively, you can install your games without the app, using the offline installer.” That statement describes installation from the supplied files; it does not promise that every game is free of third-party DRM or online-only features. Check each title during your offline test.
Nintendo 3DS and Wii U: redownload while Nintendo still permits it
3DS and Wii U eShop purchases
Nintendo ended new purchases on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS eShop on March 27, 2023. Nintendo says that, for the foreseeable future, users can still redownload owned games and DLC and receive software updates. You cannot buy content, download demos or free-to-start software, add funds or redeem download codes. “For the foreseeable future” is not a permanent service commitment, so download and archive now.
On a Nintendo 3DS, open the eShop and go to Settings / Other → Redownloadable Software. Select Redownload, then choose Download or Download Later. Keep the console, the Nintendo account link and compatible storage together while you work through the list. Save data and system transfers have their own procedures; do not assume that formatting a console or moving a card will preserve entitlement.
Rank #3
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- Back up smarter with included device management software[2] with defense against ransomware
- Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
- 3-year limited warranty
Wii Shop Channel purchases
The Wii Shop Channel stopped accepting new purchases on January 30, 2019. Nintendo allowed purchased content to be redownloaded or transferred “for the time being” and warned that those features would eventually end. Treat that wording as a deadline warning: redownload purchased titles, complete transfers and preserve any available save data before the service changes again.
PlayStation and Xbox: avoid promising a universal offline copy
Backup formats, licensing checks and supported export methods vary by PlayStation and Xbox generation. There is no single procedure that safely covers every console, revision and current system software. Before following platform-specific advice, verify the exact console model and current first-party support instructions.
Until you have that model-specific information, take the conservative steps:
- Download every owned title, expansion and available update while the account can authenticate.
- Use the console’s supported save-export or backup function, and verify that the destination is readable by the same generation of hardware.
- Retain account recovery information, purchase receipts and the email address attached to the account.
- Test restoration on the original console or a documented compatible system.
- Do not promise that a copied game folder will launch without the account, encryption keys, licence check or network service.
Capture saves, configuration and dependencies separately
Game files and personal progress are different archival objects. Copy local saves, profiles, screenshots, replays, configuration files, controller layouts and mod lists in addition to the installed game. Note whether a save is tied to a user profile, console, account or encryption key. If a game uses cloud saves, download or export a local copy where the platform permits it and record the date of the last synchronization.
Record dependencies that are easy to forget:
- Operating-system version and architecture
- Required runtime packages, codecs or redistributables
- Controller model, adapter and button mapping
- Launcher version and whether it must run for startup
- DLC installation order and edition-specific content
- Language, region and release version
- Whether a feature requires a live server, subscription or account token
Verify the archive instead of trusting the copy operation
After copying, compare file counts and sizes between the source and destination. For a stronger check, generate a cryptographic hash for large installer files or archive folders and compare the values after copying. A matching hash shows that the bytes are identical; it does not show that the game can authenticate or run.
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Rank #4
- 【Plug-and-Play Expandability】 With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use in Windows（For Mac，first format the drive and select the ExFat format.
- 【Fast Data Transfers 】The external hard drives with the USB 3.0 cable to provide super fast transfer speed. The theoretical read speed is as high as 110MB/s-133MB/s, and the write speed is as high as 103MB/s.
- 【High capacity in a small enclosure 】The small, lightweight design offers up to 500GB capacity, offering ample space for storing large files, multimedia content, and backups with ease. Weighing only 0.35 Lbs, it's easy to carry "
- 【Wide Compatibility】Supports PS4 5/xbox one/Windows/Linux/Mac and other operating systems, ensuring seamless integration with game consoles,various laptops and desktops .
- Important Notes for PS/Xbox Gaming Devices: You can play last-gen games (PS4 / Xbox One) directly from an external hard drive. However, to play current-gen games (PS5 / Xbox Series X|S), you must copy them to the console's internal SSD first. The external drive is great for keeping your library on hand, but it can't run the new games.
Perform a restoration test
- Select one representative game, including at least one DLC item and its save.
- Disconnect the archive drive from the original installation and restore to a spare folder, second computer or supported console.
- Install required runtimes and follow the recorded DLC order.
- Launch with the network disconnected if an offline test is applicable.
- Load the restored save, check controller input and exercise any feature you expect to use later.
- Write down the exact result, error message, date and hardware used.
Keep the original installation until the restoration succeeds. If the test fails, determine whether the problem is a missing installer part, damaged file, unavailable account check, absent runtime, incompatible operating system or server requirement before replacing the archive.
Maintain the archive over time
Storage media is not permanent. Connect each archive on a schedule, read a sample from every title, compare hashes where available and migrate the collection to newer media before a drive becomes unreliable. Replace a drive that reports bad sectors, disconnects unexpectedly, overheats or develops unreadable folders. Keep one copy offline between checks and store the second copy in a separate physical location.
Update your index after every migration. Include platform, title, edition, region, language, version, DLC list, save location, tested hardware, authentication result and test date. A future you should be able to identify the correct installer without opening the storefront.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common failure modes and fixes
The backup opens but the game asks for a login
That is an account or DRM dependency, not necessarily a damaged backup. Confirm that the original account still exists, document the required sign-in and keep recovery codes. If the service is unavailable, the files may remain useful only on a previously authorized device.
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Check that DLC was selected in the Steam backup or downloaded as a separate installer in GOG, and verify edition, region and language compatibility. Reinstall in the documented order and retain each product’s metadata.
Best Value
- High-capacity external hard drive with up to 2TB of storage The ModusTech Facet portable external hard drive gives you dependable HDD storage in a slim 2.5-inch design. Multiple capacities available up to 2TB — back up photos, videos, music, documents, and game libraries with room to grow. A trusted external storage solution for everyday backup, media archives, and creative work.
- USB-C and USB 3.1 connectivity with included 2-in-1 cable The Facet ships with a USB-C to USB-C cable and tethered USB-A adapter, so this external hard drive connects to modern laptops, USB-C iPhones, tablets, and older USB-A computers without buying an extra cable. USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps) interface delivers real-world transfer speeds up to 100MB/s — fast enough to back up 50GB of files in about 8 minutes.
- Plug-and-play external hard drive for PC, Mac, and laptops Preformatted in exFAT and ready to use the moment you plug it in. The Facet works out of the box with Windows PCs, macOS Macs, MacBooks, Chromebooks, and laptops — no drivers, no software, no setup required. A true plug-and-play external hard drive built for everyday use across every major operating system.
- External hard drive for PS4, Xbox One, and Smart TV gaming The Facet is compatible with PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Smart TVs with USB support. PS4 and Xbox One games run directly from the drive — plug it in, format through the console, and add to your storage. Also works with Smart TVs that support USB recording or external media playback.
- Slim, shock-resistant portable external hard drive — 160g At 2.5 inches and just 160g, this portable external hard drive is bus-powered through a single USB-C cable — no separate power adapter, no extra cables. Slim enough for a laptop bag, jacket pocket, or camera bag, with a shockresistant casing and faceted diamond-texture top panel that resists fingerprints and everyday wear. Backed by a 1-year limited warranty from ModusTech, a consumer electronics brand specializing in external storage.
The save is absent
Look for a local save directory, console export or in-game backup. Do not rely solely on cloud synchronization. Restore the save separately and test it with the same user profile where required.
The archive drive is too small
Measure the installed library, add space for updates and installer parts, then split the archive by platform or title. Keep every split set documented and maintain two complete copies rather than one incomplete “master” drive.
A console card is unreadable on a computer
Console formatting and encryption can make ordinary file browsing misleading. Use the console’s supported redownload, transfer or backup workflow and test the card in the original compatible system. Do not reformat it merely to inspect the contents.
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Final preservation checklist
- Every account, storefront, receipt and recovery method is recorded.
- Base games, DLC, patches, language packs, manuals and bonus files are downloaded.
- Steam Backup and Restore sets include their metadata; GOG offline installers include every part.
- Local saves and configuration files are copied separately from game files.
- Two complete copies exist on separate devices, with one stored separately or offline.
- At least one title has been restored and launched, with the result documented.
- Offline, DRM, launcher and online-service requirements are clearly marked.
- The archive has a migration and periodic-read schedule.
The safest expectation is realistic: preserving files gives you the best chance of continued access, but it cannot recreate a closed account system, revoked licence, authentication server or multiplayer network. Download while access works, test before you trust the archive and maintain more than one copy.
Quick Recap
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