A Tragic Loss for Game Preservation

An ultra-rare floppy disk containing the 1999 trial edition of visual novel Tsukihime has been "twisted and slashed into shards" during international shipping, reportedly by either US Customs officials or DHL handlers. The disk was one of only 50 copies ever produced, making this loss an irreplaceable blow to gaming history.

What is Tsukihime?

Tsukihime is a visual novel developed and self-published by the doujin circle TYPE-MOON in 1999, later commercially released in 2000. The early trial edition distributed at doujin events represented a historically significant artifact for fans and collectors alike. TYPE-MOON went on to create the globally renowned Fate franchise, making Tsukihime the foundational work of one of anime and gaming's most successful studios.

How It Happened

The floppy disk was being shipped internationally when it was damaged by either US Customs inspectors or DHL handlers. According to Tom's Hardware, the item was "needlessly and heartlessly desecrated," with the delicate magnetic media twisted and broken beyond recovery. The irreplaceable collectible cannot be repaired or restored.

Game Preservation in the Spotlight

This incident highlights the fragility of vintage physical media and the very real risks involved in shipping historically significant game artifacts across borders. Floppy disks are notoriously delicate, and even minor mishandling can result in permanent destruction. Game preservation advocates have long argued for the urgency of digitization efforts, pointing to incidents like this as stark examples. While the Tsukihime franchise received a modern remake in 2021 for PS4 and Nintendo Switch, no digital archive can replace the 1999 trial edition's physical legacy.

#visual-novel

Ultra-Rare Tsukihime 1999 Demo Floppy Disk Destroyed by US Customs or DHL — One of Only 50 Ever Made