Why Were Atari Games Buried? A Blast from the Past Uncovered
In the autumn of 1983, Atari, a pioneer in the video game industry, decided to bury over 700,000 game cartridges in a landfill in Alamogordo, New Mexico. This unusual act led to a long-standing legend that Atari had buried games with the iconic character, E.T. Among the buried games. Despite the urban myth being debunked, the legend lived on, captivating many, including gamers, nostalgic fans, and historians alike.
The Background to the Burial
1983: The Market Bubble Bursts
After enjoying immense success with games such as Pac-Man and Missile Command, Atari started facing stiff competition from other game console manufacturers, which led to a catastrophic fall in sales. Despite launching new products, Commodore 64, and Amiga, the company failed to recapture its former market dominance.
Financial struggles led to a Warehouse of Games
Atari warehouses across the United States overflowed with unsold stock. The company was bleeding financially, and it could not afford to keep thousands of games in storage without earning any revenue. Under this pressure, the final decision was made to bury the unsalable games to minimize loss.
The Excavation and Discovery
- In 2013, the Alamogordo City Commission teamed up with a documentary filmmaking crew to excavate the landfill.
- Following careful excavation, the discovery revealed 1,300 Atari game cartridges, partially decomposed and damaged.
The Buried Treasure or Trash?
Not a single E.T. game was among the buried cartridges. Rather, the excavated treasure chest contained a mix of titles, including Jedi Arena, Haunted House, and Master Combat. While no treasure trove of E.T. games awaited us, the discovery reinforced the legend and piqued the interest of curious fans.
What do these Games Represent?
Beyond mere entertainment, these video games represent a snapshot in history, capturing the market sentiment and technological advancements at that time. Early struggles and triumphs, and the eventual decline and abandonment of Atari, it offers a glimpse into an industry that was still exploring new frontiers.
In Table 1. Buried Atari Games Inventory below, you will see the distribution of various Atari games discovered during excavation.