gamesthatwerent

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Games That Weren't Commodore 64 archive digest (May 2025)

Finally - Our fifth Games That Weren't #Commodore64 update of 2025 with 8 brand new entries added, with remains of a Pacman game for Mastertronic, a lost Zzap64 submission + more. Then 9 existing entry updates, including Airwolf 2 V1 and The Last Stuntman:

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Chaos Drop: a very early glimpse at an abandoned 1992 platformer for the Super Nintendo

First up - released today on GTW is a very early 1992 #Nintendo #SNES prototype platformer called Chaos Drop. Developed by Enigma Variations, the game was dropped and eventually morphed into Magician's Apprentice for PC/Konix.

Check out early builds here: https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/05/chaos-drop/

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Rare Italian version of The Quill preserved! (Commodore 64)

Today we have preserved a rare Italian #Commodore64 version of The Quill adventure creator, thanks to a kind loan by Tim Gilberts from Gilsoft. This includes tape dumps + full scans. The tape will now be donated to the Retro Comptuer Museum in Leicester.

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The search for another lost Commodore VIC-20 game: Amok (1982 - EathenRoss Software)

Another lost #Commodore #VIC20 game that needs recovering. Although sharing the same name, Amok was a Choplifter style game by EathenRoss Software in 1982. It seems the game was released, but has yet to be found and preserved. Can you help us find it?

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Seven Early Builds of Pugsley’s Scavenger Hunt (NES) Surface – Including Unseen Content

We've today uncovered 7 #NES prototype builds of The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt (1993 Ocean)- including an early version with cut content and different room layouts. A fascinating glimpse at the game in development.

With a huge thank you to Mark Greenshields for allowing us to preserve.

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Games That Weren't at Zzap Live 2025!

Had a fantastic time at #zzaplive #zzap64 catching up with friends old and new and doing a talk on GTW. Video now live (thanks to Paul Davies) at:

Spot the crap reference to Total Recall, and a special #Commodore64 reveal at the end ;)

[gamesthatwerent]

Snow White (1983 Atari 2600) — The Disney Game That Nearly Was

One of the more curious tales from Atari is Snow White - a Disney-licensed 2600 game developed in 1982-83, tested, boxed… but never released. A lost gem with seven lives, seven versions, and two prototypes that finally surfaced.

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ShelShock (1993) - Finetime’s Forgotten 3D Engine for PC (DOS)

We've added a newly uncovered #PC #DOS-era prototype today called ShelShock from Finlay Munro. Possibly a pitch for a game or just its engine. Think Damocles, but with mouse interaction and a village to explore. Now preserved at Games That Werent:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/05/shelshock/

With a huge thank you to Mark Greenshields for allowing us to preserve.

[gamesthatwerent]

Glover (Mobile J2ME) — The Puzzle Platformer De-Make That Never Was

In 2006, Rockpool Games began work on a 2D #Mobile #J2ME version of the #N64 cult hit Glover. Though it may not have gotten far past early tiles and maps, some visuals survive thanks to ex-Ocean artist Bill Harbison.

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Unreleased: Tintin on the Moon (1992 Master System) + Music/SFX recovered

Virgin Games' #SEGA #MasterSystem take on Hergé's classic, Tintin on the Moon, nearly made it to the Moon in 1992 but was sadly cancelled. Now after 32 years, lost music & SFX intended for the game by Matt Furniss has been recovered by Games That Weren't.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/05/tintin-on-the-moon/

Full YouTube video of the music + SFX demo can be found here for Tintin on the Moon (SMS):

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Lost screenshots resurface: The King's Ransom by ReadySoft 1993 (Amiga/PC)

Screenshots for ReadySoft’s ambitious 1993 #Amiga/#PC RPG The King's Ransom have been unearthed and added to the site! A spiritual sequel to Wrath of the Demon boasting 2500+ animation frames, 150 locations + a movie-like soundtrack - it just vanished.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/02/the-kings-ransom/

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ArcWar (PC DOS) – Unreleased 1995 Galaga-style Shooter from Finetime Software

New recovery today with ArcWar (#PC #DOS, 1995) - a seemingly unfinished Galaga-style shooter from Finetime Software, featuring bizarre enemies (including tomatoes!). 3 builds have been recovered, including one with SFX/music:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/05/arcwar/

With thanks to Mark Greenshields and Darren Melbourne for the possibility of seeing this game preserved.

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Lost Game: Motor Mania (1994 Amiga / Mega Drive)

Designed for younger players, Motor Mania starred Mickey the Micra on a quirky, fuel-saving puzzle-drive backwards through a car factory. Planned for #Amiga & #SEGA #MegaDrive, it was sadly cancelled. Know more? Please get in touch!

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Prototype Discovery: Elite NES v2.5 (Feb '92 Build)

Today we are preserving an earlier #NES prototype of Elite, which is labelled v2.5 from 14 Feb 1992! Nearly a month older than v2.8, and over 2 months before final (v5.2). Let us know if you spot any key differences!

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/05/elite-nes-prototype-v2-5/

With thanks to Mark Greenshields and Darren Melbourne for making the recovery possible!

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Rock Star Goes Bizarre (C64) recovered!

Thanks to Fliplift on Lemon64, an extremely rare #Commodore64 promo edition of Rock Star Ate My Hamster called Rock Star Goes Bizarre has been recovered. Including 7 new stars and minor changes throughout:

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The Mysterious 'Green Jelly Video Game' based on the band (1994)

A planned Green Jelly video game? A 1994 mag teased a hush-hush title based on the band, but it never surfaced. No screenshots, no platform details, possibly vapourware. Know more? We'd love to hear from you! #UnreleasedGames #GreenJelly

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/05/green-jelly-the-game/

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Super Nintendo Tip Off (1992) Prototypes Unearthed!

Fresh from the #NES Tip Off recovery, we now have the #SNES version. Take a look at some early tech demos with Mode 7 pitch tests and movable sprites. No sound, no full game, but a rare glimpse of what might've been.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/05/tip-off-2/

With thanks to Mark Greenshields and Darren Melbourne for making the recovery possible!