What video game was buried in the desert?

The Legend of the Buried Video Games: The E.T. Atari Debacle

In the desert sands of New Mexico, lies a tale of forgotten treasure and gaming history. On September 22, 1983, 13 trucks carried a staggering haul of unsold and returned video game cartridges to a landfill site in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Among these games was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, one of the most infamous video game flops of all time. The question on every gamer’s mind: What video game was buried in the desert?

The History of E.T.

In 1982, Atari, Inc. attempted to capitalize on the immense popularity of the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial by creating a video game adaptation. E.T. was rushed to market without sufficient testing, resulting in a game that was buggy, difficult to play, and utterly confusing. Despite this, 5 million cartridges were produced, and Atari aggressively marketed the game, promising it would be a smash hit.

The Graveyard of Unsold Cartridges

The inventory management problem for Atari was massive, with warehouses overflowing with unsold E.T. games. To mitigate this crisis, Atari’s then-general manager, James Heller, proposed a solution: dump the excess inventory in the New Mexico desert. And so, on September 22, 1983, 13 trucks laden with unsold games made their way to the landfill site.

The Mystery Uncovered

In 2014, a group of documentary filmmakers, headed by Jeremy Snead, attempted to uncover the truth about the buried games. Snead’s team used cutting-edge technology, including GPS tracking and metal detectors, to locate the suspected dump site. After weeks of excavation, they uncovered approximately 728,000 video game cartridges, including the fabled E.T. games.

The Dig Begins

In 2015, the excavation site became an instant sensation, with video game enthusiasts and history buffs flocking to the scene. The team spent countless hours digging, uncovering and sorting through the treasures. Over 92% of the unearthed games were E.T., making it the largest playable E.T. game dump ever found.

The Legacy of E.T.

The discovery of the buried games has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, sparking conversations about the industry’s most beloved failures. The buried games have become a metaphor for the fragility and uncertainty of the gaming business. E.T.’s demise serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of careful development, marketing, and player feedback.

Conclusion

The story of E.T. and the buried Atari games is a fascinating one, filled with intrigue, disappointment, and ultimate discovery. As we look back on this chapter in gaming history, we’re reminded that even the most celebrated franchises can fall victim to poor execution and marketing.

Table: Top 5 Atari Games of 1983

Takeaway

The buried E.T. games serve as a testament to the risks and challenges faced by the video game industry. Their story reminds us of the importance of careful development, effective marketing, and, ultimately, the value of embracing failure as an opportunity for growth.

We hope you enjoyed this nostalgic trip down memory lane, and we’re sure the next time you boot up your favorite retro game console, you’ll remember the tale of the buried Atari games and the iconic E.T.