Did They Ever Find the ET Atari Games?
The legendary story of the ET Atari games has been a topic of fascination for gamers and collectors alike for decades. In 1983, Atari, Inc. buried a massive quantity of unsold ET games in a landfill in Alamogordo, New Mexico, reportedly to prevent scavengers from stealing them. The event has become a symbol of the company’s financial struggles and the decline of the North American video game market in the early 1980s.
The Discovery
Fast forward to 2014, when a team from Fuel Industries, a company specializing in video game preservation, uncovered the long-buried Atari games in the same landfill. The excavation process was led by Eric Smith, a video game enthusiast and collector, who had been searching for the ET games for years. Over 700,000 games were recovered, including thousands of ET cartridges, which were deemed to be some of the rarest and most valuable in the world.
The Auction
In 2014, the recovered ET games were put up for auction, with some of the most rare and complete sets selling for over $100,000. The auction was a significant event in the world of video game collecting, with enthusiasts and collectors bidding fiercely for the chance to own a piece of gaming history. The sale of the ET games not only generated significant revenue but also helped to cement the game’s place in the annals of gaming history.
Significance of the Discovery
The discovery of the ET games has significant implications for the world of video game collecting and preservation. For years, gamers and collectors have been searching for these rare and elusive games, and the discovery of the landfill has provided a unique opportunity to own a piece of gaming history. The event has also sparked a renewed interest in the early days of the video game industry, with many enthusiasts and collectors seeking out rare and vintage games to add to their collections.
Why Are the ET Games So Rare?
So, why are the ET games so rare? There are several reasons for their scarcity. First, the game was released in 1982, a time when the North American video game market was still in its infancy. The game’s poor reception and the decline of the market led to a surplus of unsold games, which were eventually buried in the landfill. Second, the game was not widely distributed, and many copies were never released to the public. Finally, the game’s popularity has led to a demand for rare and complete sets, making it difficult for collectors to find the game in good condition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the discovery of the ET Atari games has been a significant event in the world of video game collecting and preservation. The recovery of over 700,000 games, including thousands of ET cartridges, has provided a unique opportunity for enthusiasts and collectors to own a piece of gaming history. The significance of the discovery extends beyond the value of the games themselves, as it has sparked a renewed interest in the early days of the video game industry and the importance of preserving gaming history.
Table: Notable ET Games Auctioned
| Game | Auction Price | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Complete ET game set | $107,000 | Mint condition |
| Rare ET cartridge | $20,000 | Good condition |
| Complete Atari 2600 collection | $50,000 | Mint condition |
Bullets: Key Takeaways
• Over 700,000 Atari games were recovered from the Alamogordo landfill in 2014.
• Thousands of ET cartridges were recovered, making them some of the rarest and most valuable in the world.
• The games were auctioned off, with some selling for over $100,000.
• The discovery has sparked a renewed interest in the early days of the video game industry and the importance of preserving gaming history.
• The ET games are rare due to their poor reception, limited distribution, and popularity among collectors.