Preserving Cancelled, Unreleased and Lost Video Game History Since 1999
Total results: 56
199? Unknown Platform: Atari 400/800/XE Our next entry in the archives is for the Atari 8-bit home computer platform, and is the early start of a fairly impressive conversion of Delphine’s Another World – though not by Delphine! It is … Continue reading
Our next Christmas 2024 update sees Games That Weren’t take a look at a series of early concepts and prototypes from the late Archer Maclean’s disks. This includes the first ever look at concepts for an abandoned Atari/Commodore sequel to … Continue reading
1982-1983 Archer Maclean Platform: Atari 400/800 In August 2023, Chris Wilkins (Fusion Retro Books) entrusted Games That Weren’t with the task of preserving all of Archer’s development disks. Whilst going through Archer’s 5.25″ work disks, a series of significant discoveries … Continue reading
Atari Mania are on it again, with a Atari 400/800 prototype recovered by John Hardie. This time an Astrology program which was developed in 1982. http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-400-800-xl-xe-astrology_42800.html This is what Atari Mania posted about it on AtariAge’s forums: “It seems Astrology was only … Continue reading
Another great update from Bertrand / Atari Frog from AtariMania.com , who have recovered a rare Atari 8-bit prototype of Alligata Software’s Trap. A very advanced preview which is quite faithful to the C64 original at this stage.
The preservation work is thanks to John Hardie (National Videogame Museum) and to Stephen Goss (Harlequin Software founder) for allowing the archival of the game. It is unknown why the game was never released, but AtariMania suggest it could be to do with turmoil within Alligata at the time before the company shut down. Continue reading
Atari Addict landed this weekend, and David Crookes has done an amazing job putting this #Atari special together with many different features across many platforms. We also had the honor of writing the unreleased games segment too! To order, visit: … Continue reading
1984 Archer Maclean Platform: Atari 400/800 As our preservation work continues with the late Archer Maclean’s disks, we take a look at something a little different and unexpected that was found within his Atari 8-bit formatted disks. After developing his … Continue reading
A quick news post to highlight an Atari 400/800 prototype that has gone under the radar, as reported by Bertrand / Atari Frog. http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-400-800-xl-xe-avalanche_42784.html Seems to be essentially the same game, but with some slight differences including: No year displayed … Continue reading
A short entry until we get more information, with news that there were plans for an Atari 8-bit computer edition of Back To Reality from Mastertronic, with the game getting a mention in an advert for Mastertronic games – listed as being available for C64, Amstrad and Atari. Continue reading
A short entry for a title called Danger – High Surf, which was mentioned in Electronic Games in December 1984 and was to be released on the Apple 2, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64 and IBM PC platforms. The game was in 3D, with waves, mermaids, sharks and also land-lubbers. Continue reading
1982 Archer Maclean Platform: Atari 400/800 Dropzone is one of the most memorable games on the Atari platform of all time, created by the genius that is the late Archer Maclean, who sadly passed away in late 2022. With the … Continue reading
Our second Games That Weren’t Christmas update day is for Atari 8-bit fans, with a hugely important discovery and set of findings from the disks of the late Archer Maclean, which GTW has been meticulously preserving thanks to Chris Wilkins … Continue reading
Our friends at Atarimania.com have been busy yet again, with preservation of a prototype of Caverns of Mars. This was dumped for the site by John Hardie, and is different from the final release. Not sure how much is different exactly, … Continue reading
From the archives of Atari graphic artist Jerome Domurat, archivist John Hardie found a disk labelled “Earthquake”, and so begins our look at yet another lost Atari game. Continue reading
Flash Gordon was a great budget title from Mastertronic, and one which I enjoyed a lot on the Commodore 64. One thing that stood out in particular was the amount of different styles of games present, but also the amazing music by Rob Hubbard. Continue reading
A short entry until we get more information, with news that there were plans for an Atari 8-bit computer edition of Frankie Goes To Hollywood from Ocean Software, with the game getting a big mention in the news pages of Atari User (UK) issue 4 in 1985. Continue reading
Bertrand / Atarimania.com has been doing some amazing work recently, now recovering a large number of General Masters Corporation games for the Atari 8 bit platform. There’s a thread here over at AtariAge with more details and links: https://forums.atariage.com/topic/379007-general-masters-corporation NOTE … Continue reading
1987 Codemasters Platforms: Atari 800 and MSX A very short entry for an Atari 800 and MSX conversion of Ghost Hunters that is currently missing. The question is, were either ever started? The game was released on the Commodore 64 … Continue reading
Bertrand / AtariMania has once again highlighted an interesting preservation release, this time with the recovery of Gravitor, a 1984 Atari 8-bit shoot’em up developed by Alan Kramer and published by Comax Software.
The game was discovered by John Hardie amongst a collection of disks that included a letter sent to First Star Software for evaluation. After tracking down Alan Kramer, additional materials were obtained, including the original packaging, manual and a written account covering the game’s history. Continue reading
GTW Highlight No.2: Also in December, we made a hugely important discovery from the disks of the late Archer Maclean. The origins of Dropzone were recovered in the form of Defender and Stargate conversions on the Atari 800: https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2023/12/defender-and-stargate-discoveries/ In … Continue reading
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