What Did Atari Do with All of the Unsold Cartridges from Their Horrible E.T. Video Game?
The Atari 2600 was once the king of the video game console market, but its reign was cut short by the infamous E.T. game. Released in 1982, E.T. was a massive commercial failure, and its poor reception contributed to the decline of the Atari 2600. But what happened to the millions of unsold E.T. cartridges?
The Legend of the E.T. Cartridges
The myth surrounding the E.T. cartridges has been passed down for decades. It’s been said that Atari buried millions of unsold E.T. cartridges in a New Mexico landfill site, along with other failed games, to prevent people from scavenging them. This legend has been perpetuated by various sources, including the 1983 documentary "Electronic Heaven."
The Truth Behind the Legend
However, the truth is more complex. In September 1983, Atari did indeed bury a large quantity of unsold games, including E.T., in a landfill site in Alamogordo, New Mexico. But it wasn’t just E.T. cartridges – it was a mix of games, consoles, and computers that were deemed unusable or were part of a larger inventory clearance.
The Burial Site
The Alamogordo landfill site, also known as the "Atari Graveyard," was chosen for its remote location and lack of scavenging activity. The site was excavated in 2014 by a team from the Entertainment Technology Museum, who uncovered thousands of cartridges, including E.T. games.
How Many Cartridges Were Buried?
According to various sources, including an interview with former Atari employee James Heller, approximately 728,000 games were buried in the Alamogordo landfill site. This includes E.T. cartridges, as well as other games and consoles.
What Happened to the Cartridges After the Burial?
The cartridges buried in the Alamogordo landfill site were not simply left to rot. In the years following the burial, scavengers and treasure hunters attempted to excavate the site, leading to the recovery of thousands of cartridges. Some of these recovered cartridges have been sold online, fetching high prices due to their rarity.
The E.T. Cartridges Today
In recent years, the E.T. cartridges have become highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. In 2014, a single E.T. cartridge sold for $108,000 at auction, making it one of the most valuable video game cartridges in the world.
The Legacy of E.T.
Despite its commercial failure, E.T. has become an iconic symbol of the video game industry’s struggles in the early 1980s. The game’s poor reception and the subsequent burial of millions of unsold cartridges serve as a cautionary tale for game developers and publishers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the story of the E.T. cartridges is a fascinating one, filled with myth and legend. While the exact number of cartridges buried in the Alamogordo landfill site is unknown, it’s clear that millions of games were buried, including E.T. The recovery of these cartridges and their subsequent sale have made them highly valuable among collectors and enthusiasts.