Internet Archival Research
Learn effective strategies for researching the history of mobile games using digital archives.
Guidelines for Internet Archival Research
Narrow Your Search:
Use quotation marks to search for an exact word or phrase. For example, searching for "Gameboy Color" ensures you find pages containing this specific phrase.
Exclude Irrelevant Results:
Use the minus (hyphen) sign to exclude words from your search results. For example, if you want information solely on the original Gameboy, type Gameboy -color -advance.
File Type Search:
To find specific document types, add "filetype:" followed by the type at the end of your search. For example, to find a PDF related to a game, search for Slots of Fun filetype:pdf.
Specific Site Search:
To find information on a particular website, use "site:" before the website's URL. For instance, use site:mgrl.ncsu.chass.edu to search within the NC State University website.
Search by Domain Type:
To search for academic resources, specify domain types. For example, Gameboy site:.edu limits results to educational institutions.
Use the WayBack Machine:
The Wayback Machine allows you to view archived copies (caches) of websites:web.archive.org
More Advanced Search Techniques:
Advanced Internet Research Techniques by Stephen Wolfson:View PDF
Pro Tip:
When researching retro mobile games, try searching for contemporary reviews, developer interviews, and gaming magazine archives from the era when the game was released. These sources often provide valuable context and details that might not be available in modern documentation.