Nostr notes by Games That Weren't

A look at Ragnov, an unreleased Amiga title from Softeyes that ...

2026-05-01T07:56:19Z

A look at Ragnov, an unreleased Amiga title from Softeyes that never made it past demo stage, but went on to inspire parts of Hoi and beyond. A fascinating early project by the creators of Moon Child:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2026/05/ragnov/

via Metin Seven 🎨 (npub1psa…twpn)

Rare gameplay footage of the cancelled I-Ninja 2 (GameCube, Xbox, ...

2026-04-22T08:17:22Z

Rare gameplay footage of the cancelled I-Ninja 2 (GameCube, Xbox, PS2) has surfaced via Games That Weren't, offering a glimpse at the lost Argonaut sequel before its 2004 cancellation:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2026/04/i-ninja-2/

Great interview Metin! 🙂 . Comes across how much the past week ...

2026-04-21T09:05:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…kte4
_________________________

Great interview Metin! 🙂 . Comes across how much the past week or so has meant to everyone who worked on the game too!

The recent Moon Child blow up now featured on Kotaku.com . ...

2026-04-19T17:32:29Z

The recent Moon Child blow up now featured on Kotaku.com . It's been a very strange week! 🙂
https://kotaku.com/developers-of-moon-child-resurface-to-bask-in-all-the-shitposts-amiga-prototype-2000688827?utm_source=kotaku.com&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=share

I just remember the main prototype had no audio when I was ...

2026-04-18T13:26:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…470l
_________________________

I just remember the main prototype had no audio when I was prepping everything for the site, and because the intro music was amazing - decided to overlay it on top of the gameplay. Sometimes I just leave it as is, and i'm very glad I didn't in this case!

Had a few requests for a loopable version of the Moon Child ...

2026-04-12T15:46:05Z

Had a few requests for a loopable version of the Moon Child (Amiga) intro theme, so I’ve put one up on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EswuTvvkW_A

There's been a huge amount of love for the intro tune this ...

2026-04-12T15:45:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…5ls3
_________________________

There's been a huge amount of love for the intro tune this weekend. Just been asked by several people to make a loopable video. It is quite catchy! :)

- If there's anything I've got incorrect or you'd ...

2026-04-10T07:55:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…fg0a
_________________________

- If there's anything I've got incorrect or you'd like me to add, please let me know and I'll be happy to continue updating the page. Thanks very much for the heads up again!

Moon Child began life as an Amiga AGA title before shifting to ...

2026-04-10T07:54:37Z

Moon Child began life as an Amiga AGA title before shifting to PC, where it finally saw release in 1997. A fascinating glimpse into a project caught between two eras. More here:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2026/04/moon-child/

Metin Seven 🎨 (npub1psa…twpn)

Thanks Metin - will do! Any recollections you'd like to share ...

2026-03-31T08:35:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…3ahu
_________________________

Thanks Metin - will do! Any recollections you'd like to share about your time on the game, feel free to message me and I'll weave into the write up.

Thanks for the heads up Metin. It's a huge shame the Amiga ...

2026-03-31T08:32:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…22v2
_________________________

Thanks for the heads up Metin. It's a huge shame the Amiga version never got finished, but glad to see the PC one did at least. I'll make a note and will try and get a page added for the game sometime. Apologies if a bit slow doing this - got a bit of a backlog and not enough hours for the site these days due to book deadline :)

A bonus post this week with the recovery of a lost SEUCK effort ...

2026-03-31T08:17:59Z

A bonus post this week with the recovery of a lost SEUCK effort called Tora Tora Tora, a 1942 style game which looks and plays well. This is thanks to the Videogame endings database and Minotautus for preserving.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2026/03/tora-tora-tora-c64-game-recovered/

We're today releasing a Commodore 64 curiosity: Bomb Race - ...

2026-03-10T09:08:07Z

We're today releasing a Commodore 64 curiosity: Bomb Race - an earlier version of Bomb Uzal, originally due for release under the old Mirrorsoft label (before ImageWorks was born). A few visual differences already spotted, and may be more to discover.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/bomb-race/

We've added a new entry for Deliverance From The Dark, an ...

2026-02-16T09:22:13Z

We've added a new entry for Deliverance From The Dark, an unreleased late-90s tactical RPG for Windows PC by Studio Blue, built around turn-based combat and within a neat isometric engine. Can it be found?

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2026/02/deliverance-from-the-dark/

I loved the Romik games on the Commodore VIC-20, especially Moons ...

2026-02-13T09:03:19Z

I loved the Romik games on the Commodore VIC-20, especially Moons of Jupiter. Thanks to Paul Stcyr, we learn of a title called Air-Sea Attack that was advertised but didn't seem to surface, or at least hasn't been preserved. Can you help us recover it?

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2026/02/air-sea-attack/

GTW Highlight No.13: In May, we took a deep dive look at the ...

2025-12-08T08:59:13Z

GTW Highlight No.13: In May, we took a deep dive look at the #SEGA #MasterSystem development of Tintin on the Moon. It nearly made it in 1992 but was sadly cancelled. Now after 32 years, lost Matt Furniss music & SFX intended was also recovered!

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

GTW Highlight No.06: One of our final December updates saw unseen ...

2025-12-03T16:46:21Z

GTW Highlight No.06: One of our final December updates saw unseen screens from the lost Dropzone 2 on the #Atari + #Commodore64, along with a strange Arcade edition of Dropzone. Also various International Karate protos and IK+ graphical assets too:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/12/archer-maclean-a8-prototypes-and-unused-assets/

Discover the lost #Amiga origins of Tinhead - a mysterious ...

2025-11-11T09:11:08Z

Discover the lost #Amiga origins of Tinhead - a mysterious platformer once known as Waldo. We also take a brief look at the #SNES and #Jaguar versions that never saw release (though the SNES version did sneak out!). More details here:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/11/tinhead/

We've uncovered the start of a previously unknown 1991 #NES ...

2025-11-03T09:17:40Z

We've uncovered the start of a previously unknown 1991 #NES Super Kick Off conversion. Built on the original Kick Off code, it features updated titles and the beginnings of an overhaul that was never finished. Check out the prototype for yourself here!
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/11/super-kick-off/

A nice surprise for today at GTW! Mark Kirkby of The Code Monkeys ...

2025-09-26T07:55:45Z

A nice surprise for today at GTW! Mark Kirkby of The Code Monkeys got in touch to share his impressive 1992 #GameBoy road engine prototype with us that later evolved into Road Rash. Now play the demo and check out the complete source code too!
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/game-boy-road-engine/

Two early JetPak DX #GameBoyColor prototypes added to GTW today ...

2025-09-24T08:03:48Z

Two early JetPak DX #GameBoyColor prototypes added to GTW today that we've recovered. One has a rare unused intro screen by Cosmigo, while the other is an early v0.08 beta with rougher sprites + no sound. Nice early glimpse at a 1999 homebrew classic.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/jetpak-dx-game-boy-color-prototypes/

Our next #GameBoyColor entry into the archives is a very early ...

2025-09-22T08:00:30Z

Our next #GameBoyColor entry into the archives is a very early multi-directional platform engine, featuring a test Super Mario sprite that you can move around and with a large map to explore. We hope to learn more about it soon.
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/unknown-gbc-platform-engine/

Paria was an Elite-inspired space sim prototype for the #Apple ...

2025-09-18T09:25:56Z

Paria was an Elite-inspired space sim prototype for the #Apple #Macintosh, developed back in 1990. Ambitious ideas of 3D navigation, trading, and an AI assistant never made it past the early sketch stage - but what remains is a fascinating early glimpse.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/paria/

Continuing the addition of various early builds to released ...

2025-09-17T07:53:19Z

Continuing the addition of various early builds to released games, we're today adding three #GameBoy prototypes of Alien Olympics, with two that contain temporary music from the game Splitz and possible other differences:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/alien-olympics-game-boy-prototypes/

After 42 years, Imagic’s Moonsweeper for the VIC-20 has finally ...

2025-09-16T08:01:37Z

After 42 years, Imagic’s Moonsweeper for the VIC-20 has finally been preserved. Painstakingly restored by Ken Van Mersbergen (with help from Simon Rowe & Torsten Okra), Ken has kindly allowed release on Games That Weren’t today. Full story + download:
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/imagics-moonsweeper-commodore-vic-20-saved-after-42-years/

Today we're adding a prototype of Pocket Panic for ...

2025-09-10T08:06:59Z

Today we're adding a prototype of Pocket Panic for #GameBoyColor, featuring very different sprites and Graphic State titling. Originally released as part of the Bung Coding Competition 1999 - this may have been start of a tidied up budget release perhaps?

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/pocket-panic-gbc-prototype/

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

Thanks to the sterling efforts of Aaron White, we're able to ...

2025-09-04T07:58:33Z

Thanks to the sterling efforts of Aaron White, we're able to share something a little different today - rare and previously unpreserved #Amiga Public Domain disks, featuring music demos and PD catalogue files.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/amiga-pd-disk-preservation-september-2025/

We have another set of prototypes for you, with the recovery of ...

2025-09-02T07:56:54Z

We have another set of prototypes for you, with the recovery of three for the #SNES in the form of Kevin Keegan's Player Manager. It's getting to a stage where we might have to open up a dedicated unreleased/prototype site just for football/soccer games!

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/kevin-keegans-player-manager-snes-prototypes/

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

This week, we're releasing a very early #Nintendo ...

2025-09-01T07:54:58Z

This week, we're releasing a very early #Nintendo #GameBoyColor platform shooter proto first started in 1999 called "Shoot". There isn't much to it, and we're not sure if an official development or done as part of a competition. Hope to learn more soon!

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/shoot-working-title/

Thanks to LiqMatrix for his preservation work, we have uploaded a ...

2025-08-26T12:25:12Z

Thanks to LiqMatrix for his preservation work, we have uploaded a 1996 PC Shareware compilation onto Archive.org called Best of MVP Software. Most games likely archived, but could be a few not out there. CD itself wasn't preserved.

https://archive.org/details/best-of-mvp-software-games-cd-media

A very short entry for a set of extremely early #NES Lion King ...

2025-08-01T09:01:14Z

A very short entry for a set of extremely early #NES Lion King prototypes that we found lurking within the Enigma Variations archives. They aren't playable, but you can see the early structure for the game including test graphics throughout.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/07/the-lion-king-nes-prototypes/

Today we're also adding a late prototype of Aladdin on the ...

2025-07-31T14:24:21Z

Today we're also adding a late prototype of Aladdin on the #NES, with a number of glitches present compared to the final game. We haven't noticed anything majorly different, but if you spot anything, please let us know!

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/07/aladdin-nes-prototype/

Nostr event nevent1qqs2ecvrjftm3mv2gsaegr8fm6mx42tk3yvnau92mqdkdhg654ncfpqzyrh79a6gfhwky0jvlefq6r6qzp7chtvl6xn6a2af66knhfw3lkdp72zu4wg

2025-07-28T16:01:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…d77a
_________________________

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/06/army-men-sarges-heroes/
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/07/micro-machines-1-and-2-twin-turbo-gbc-prototypes

Also, we have added another build of Sarge's Heroes for the ...

2025-07-28T16:01:04Z

Also, we have added another build of Sarge's Heroes for the #GameboyAdvance has been added from 01/09/2000, as well as another 7 prototype builds of Micro Machines 1 & 2 for the #GameboyColor. Links in first reply.

Today, Games That Weren't is releasing a staggering 33 builds ...

2025-07-28T07:42:00Z

Today, Games That Weren't is releasing a staggering 33 builds of the #GameBoyColor version of Re-Volt, including the very final version. A game DC Studios and Acclaim were due to release in 2000, but was canned. Design docs, maps and assets also added!

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/07/re-volt/

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

4/5 On Thursday was Mobocracy - a gritty #AppleMac side-scroller ...

2025-07-26T10:51:51Z

4/5 On Thursday was Mobocracy - a gritty #AppleMac side-scroller set in a post-apocalyptic world. Ambitious but unfinished, only fragments remain - enough to imagine how it could have been. More details at:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/07/mobocracy/

Scavenger was created by author of Nebulus, John Phillips, ...

2025-07-23T11:01:56Z

Scavenger was created by author of Nebulus, John Phillips, showcasing an phenomenal shadow effect unlike anything seen before on the #AtariST and #Amiga. The collapse of Hewson saw John move to The Bitmap Bros, resulting in its cancellation.

https://gamesthatwerent.com/2021/02/scavenger/

Something very special today from GTW - several #SNES prototype ...

2025-07-16T07:54:34Z

Something very special today from GTW - several #SNES prototype builds of Porky Pig’s Haunted Holiday (from 1993–1994), including 6 unseen subgames (PORKATHLON!), early sprites, and loads of content cut from the final release. Plenty to discover!

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/07/porky-pigs-haunted-holiday-snes-prototypes/

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

We've today uncovered 2 #Nintendo #Gameboy prototype builds ...

2025-07-03T08:01:58Z

We've today uncovered 2 #Nintendo #Gameboy prototype builds of The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt (1993 Ocean). Very slight differences from the final version, including different sprite frames for crouch and jump, plus potentially more.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/07/the-addams-family-pugsleys-scavenger-hunt-gameboy-prototypes/

With a huge thank you to Mark Greenshields for allowing the release.

Missing for 33 years, and eluding GTW for 26 - we are at long ...

2025-07-01T08:02:15Z

Missing for 33 years, and eluding GTW for 26 - we are at long last proud to present one of our holy grail titles with the release of Nigel Mansell World Championship on the #Commodore64 by Gremlin! Check out this very advanced preview and full story:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/nigel-mansell-world-championship/

Full video of recovery at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW62BDHXzb0

It is with a huge thank you to both Mark Greenshields and Darren Melbourne for making this recovery possible!

Our sixth Games That Weren't #Commodore64 2025 update with 3 ...

2025-06-30T07:55:43Z

Our sixth Games That Weren't #Commodore64 2025 update with 3 new entries: a lost SEU called Dominion (recovered by Hedning/GP) + a Stephen Hendry snooker game. Also 16 entry updates, with new screenshots/scans. We have something very special tomorrow! ;)

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/06/gtw64-june-2025-update/

A rare prototype of Alien 3 for the #Commodore64 has been ...

2025-06-25T07:59:51Z

A rare prototype of Alien 3 for the #Commodore64 has been recovered, showing some minor differences with text, logo, in-game colours and more. This has been recovered thanks to Sailor/Triad and a nice glimpse at the game in a slightly earlier phase.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/06/alien-3-c64-prototype-recovered/

Today we're releasing a surprise 3rd Dr. Franken prototype ...

2025-06-23T08:00:35Z

Today we're releasing a surprise 3rd Dr. Franken prototype for #GameBoy, taking Franky into space! Explore an unseen early prototype with puzzles and areas within a rocket ship. More coming soon too we hope:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/06/dr-franken-3/

Today we are adding an early preview of a game called Sorcerer ...

2025-06-16T08:44:03Z

Today we are adding an early preview of a game called Sorcerer for the #Nintendo #GameBoy original. An early platformer, featuring a protagonist looking like Miner Willy from Manic Miner. Roam a single level and fight enemies, gain experience + mana.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/06/sorcerer/

Virgin Games' #SEGA #MasterSystem take on Hergé's ...

2025-05-14T08:07:33Z

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):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKzN6eHf800

New recovery today with ArcWar (#PC #DOS, 1995) - a seemingly ...

2025-05-12T08:04:12Z

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.

We've added a very rare #Amiga rolling demo of Mars Cops to ...

2025-04-29T08:00:51Z

We've added a very rare #Amiga rolling demo of Mars Cops to our page on the game. Real screenshots, download and video have now been added. A troubled development with many delays, and where publisher Arcana eventually closed its doors in 1990.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/09/mars-cops/

This week, the unreleased #NES prototype of Tip-Off has been ...

2025-04-21T09:27:01Z

This week, the unreleased #NES prototype of Tip-Off has been recovered at Games That Weren't! Experience what remains of the game and hear the long-lost David Whittaker music, compiled from source.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/04/tip-off/

Video with commentary can be found at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XdlOBfmEVY

The recovery is with a huge thanks to Mark Greenshields and Darren Melbourne!

Another lost title preserved - Mechanoids 2: The Final Conflict ...

2025-04-14T07:46:03Z

Another lost title preserved - Mechanoids 2: The Final Conflict for the #SNES, an early side-scrolling mech fighter planned for 1993 but never released. We've recovered two prototype builds you can check out:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/04/mechanoids-2-the-final-conflict/

Video with commentary at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weDfap-Ef0M

Today we have recovered a full game for a console that never was. ...

2025-04-07T08:18:53Z

Today we have recovered a full game for a console that never was. Magician’s Apprentice (1993) by Dark Technologies for the mythic Multi-System 2 (successor to the Konix Multi-system) is now available, and emulated + playable thanks to [@savoury_snax](https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@savoury_snax ) !

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/04/magicians-apprentice/

More at Games That Weren't, where today we have recovered and ...

2025-04-02T07:55:40Z

More at Games That Weren't, where today we have recovered and released a surprise conversion of Alien Olympics for the #SEGA #Gamegear. Originally due out from Ocean Software in 1994, this is a full game which now you can check out and play. Enjoy!
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/04/alien-olympics/

A quick post the other day to highlight an earlier version of ...

2025-03-25T10:08:40Z

A quick post the other day to highlight an earlier version of Mirrorsoft's Tetris for likely the #Amiga, #AtariST or #PC. Showing different background graphics, but the same tile design as the ST/Amiga versions. This was from a German magazine review.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/03/tetris-v1/

Work continues at Games That Weren't, and we have another ...

2025-03-24T09:09:18Z

Work continues at Games That Weren't, and we have another huge discovery! The long-lost god sim Populous for the #NES has been recovered! A full conversion lost for 33 years - now you can finally play it today! 🌍🎮

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/03/populous/

First huge surprise of the year from #GTW with Sensible Soccer ...

2025-03-19T09:01:45Z

First huge surprise of the year from #GTW with Sensible Soccer for the #NES recovered! A near-complete conversion seemingly unknown until now. Missing for 32 years, you can finally play it. Go be a goal-scoring superstar hero! ⚽
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/03/sensible-soccer/

Full video with commentary at: https://youtu.be/91xqZPC7xi8

Check out Harrier Strike, a cool side-scrolling shooter created ...

2025-03-17T09:16:09Z

Check out Harrier Strike, a cool side-scrolling shooter created for the #Commodore64 by Players Software in 1990. It wasn't released as the genre seemed tired to the publisher, but thanks to #GTW, you can play a pretty much complete game:
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/harrier-strike-2/

Inspector Gadget and the Circus of Fear could have been very ...

2025-03-03T09:00:56Z

Inspector Gadget and the Circus of Fear could have been very different on the #Commodore64. Once a cool-looking Metro-Cross clone with recreation of the cartoon's intro sequence. Tragically it was scrapped due to an unfixable bug at the time.

https://gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/inspector-gadget/

Right under our noses all along! The long "lost" ...

2025-02-26T09:59:22Z

Right under our noses all along! The long "lost" #Commodore64 Codemasters game Magnum Force has finally been fully preserved today thanks to Nostalgia, after being hidden on the Codemasters CD compilation and undetected for over 30 years. Check it out at:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/magnum-force/

Pandemonium was an action adventure game due for release by ...

2025-02-19T08:59:38Z

Pandemonium was an action adventure game due for release by Gremlin in 1992 for #Amiga and #PC, but disappeared before much was known about it. Partial remains were initially recovered of the PC version by @MrTalida , which led us to discovering even more:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/02/pandemonium/

Touchlight was a superb looking shoot-em-up for the #Commodore64, ...

2025-02-10T09:03:03Z

Touchlight was a superb looking shoot-em-up for the #Commodore64, cancelled due to instability of the VSP technique on some machines. If Palace had been able to release, it surely would've caused ripples.

Thankfully a prototype release exists: https://gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/touchlight/

Lost in the void of cancelled games: Star Trek DS9: The Hunt for ...

2025-02-04T10:21:59Z

Lost in the void of cancelled games: Star Trek DS9: The Hunt for #PC and #Mac was set to immerse players in the DS9 universe back in 1994, but disappeared after so nearly being completed. What happened and can it be saved?
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/02/deep-space-nine-the-hunt/

#StarTrek #LostGames

Time Crystal was mind-blowing for a development from 1985, ...

2025-02-03T09:11:20Z

Time Crystal was mind-blowing for a development from 1985, featuring early artwork on the #Commodore64 by Jim Sachs. It sadly never progressed beyond a few screens and a stunning intro. A later attempt on the #NES was also canned.

https://gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/time-crystal/

It seems an earlier prototype of Super Hang-On for the ...

2025-01-13T09:05:57Z

It seems an earlier prototype of Super Hang-On for the #Commodore64 was accidentally mastered as the final version. This version features larger bike sprites and fewer CPU players. An unreleased US version also exists:
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/super-hang-on-v1/

Here is a link to the US edition entry of Super Hang On on the #Commodore64, complete with scans:
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/super-hang-on-us-edition/

In case you missed it, as a bonus - we also recovered some lost ...

2025-01-10T09:00:29Z

In case you missed it, as a bonus - we also recovered some lost #AtariST software from Archer Maclean's disks that has been marked as missing on some sites. This includes a preview of Karate Kid 2 which doesn't seem to be preserved:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/12/bonus-atari-st-recoveries/

In case you missed it, we revealed unseen screens from Dropzone 2 ...

2025-01-09T09:47:02Z

In case you missed it, we revealed unseen screens from Dropzone 2 on the #Atari and #Commodore64, along with a strange Arcade edition of Dropzone for A8. Also various International Karate prototypes and IK+ graphical assets from the late Archer Maclean:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/12/archer-maclean-a8-prototypes-and-unused-assets/

Check out never seen before screens from the lost Dropzone 2 on ...

2024-12-23T09:37:01Z

Check out never seen before screens from the lost Dropzone 2 on the #Atari and #Commodore64, along with a strange Arcade edition of Dropzone for A8. Also various International Karate prototypes + IK+ graphical assets from Archer Maclean:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/12/archer-maclean-a8-prototypes-and-unused-assets/

We have also produced a video which showcases the recoveries and findings of Dropzone 2, Dropzone Arcade and the various International Karate prototypes and IK+ graphical assets from the late Archer Maclean:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRPajqm0xSY

Today, we take a break from unreleased games and instead preserve ...

2024-12-22T09:57:16Z

Today, we take a break from unreleased games and instead preserve a series of titles that were 'Missing In Action'. Includes a long lost #ZXSpectrum utility and a few #VIC20 games not yet archived (including some that are). Enjoy!

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/12/vic-20-and-zx-spectrum-preservations/

It is with a huge thank you to Andy Spencer + the team at Retro Computer Museum in Leicester for the very kind loan of the tapes to preserve. A fantastic place to visit and I highly recommend if you are based in the UK: https://retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/

We also produced a video which showcases the #AtariST recoveries ...

2024-12-21T21:26:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…flnz
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We also produced a video which showcases the #AtariST recoveries and unused graphical assets of the early Jimmy White Whirlwind Snooker prototypes, with some commentary by the monotone webmaster himself: https://youtube.com/watch?v=xkoBBTuyWik

We've been going Snooker loopy! Today we released rare early ...

2024-12-21T21:25:57Z

We've been going Snooker loopy! Today we released rare early prototypes of Jimmy White's Whirlwind Snooker - #PC tests, #AtariST versions, and behind-the-scenes magic. Plus, concept art + icons from the legendary Archer Maclean. Check it out at:
https://gamesthatwerent.com/2024/12/archer-macleans-snooker-prototypes/

Another highlight of our final 2024 #Commodore64 update is ...

2024-12-20T11:05:29Z

Another highlight of our final 2024 #Commodore64 update is recovery of an early prototype of Rainbow Art's Apprentice. Although very early + glitchy, there's a sizable map to explore and lots of little features already. A shame it didn't get further:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/apprentice/

Another highlight of our final 2024 #Commodore64 update is the ...

2024-12-20T10:56:16Z

Another highlight of our final 2024 #Commodore64 update is the recovery of the complete version of Aladdin's Cave, which was intended for release in 1985 by Artic Computing. An interesting clone of Tales of the Arabian Nights to keep you entertained:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/alladins-cave/

One of our big findings as part of our final 2024 #Commodore64 ...

2024-12-20T10:42:54Z

One of our big findings as part of our final 2024 #Commodore64 update is the recovery of a completely unknown development of Wacky Races by Enigma Variations for Hi-Tec Software. It's the full game, and source code is also included too:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/wacky-races-v1/

Today is our final #Commodore64 update for 2024. Surprises ...

2024-12-20T09:22:29Z

Today is our final #Commodore64 update for 2024. Surprises include recovery of a completely different (and complete!) Wacky Races, Apprentice proto, Aladdin's Cave game, 666 Number of the Beast proto, Bundesliga 2 game, 8 new entries, 46 updates and more!

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/12/gtw64-christmas-update-2024/

Today Games That Weren't take a look at rare, never seen IK+ ...

2024-12-19T09:01:40Z

Today Games That Weren't take a look at rare, never seen IK+ development documents from the archive of the late Archer Maclean, including ideas and graphical concepts that led to creation of the famous fighting game. #Commodore64

https://gamesthatwerent.com/2024/12/ik-design-and-development-notes/

GTW Highlight No.19: September finally saw the long lost ...

2024-12-15T10:18:38Z

GTW Highlight No.19: September finally saw the long lost Hydrogenese on the #Commodore64 recovered by CBA/SCS+TRC. A brilliant early look at what could have been an amazing space shooter!

Read more about the title at: https://gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/hydrogenese/

GTW Highlight No.17: In September, we recovered and saved Matthew ...

2024-12-13T09:29:15Z

GTW Highlight No.17: In September, we recovered and saved Matthew Smith's long lost #VIC20 game Monster Muncher (missing 41 years). It was miraculously spotted in the Retro Computer Museum and was quite a recovery:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/09/monster-muncher/

A fixed version was then later done by Andy Hewitt, making the game fully playable as intended: https://hewco.itch.io/monster-muncher

GTW Highlight No.15: In August, we took a look at Die Hard 2 on ...

2024-12-11T10:54:14Z

GTW Highlight No.15: In August, we took a look at Die Hard 2 on the #SegaMasterSystem that was canned. We shed light on this version, its developer + how far it got. Could it be found?

https://gamesthatwerent.com/2024/08/die-hard-2-die-harder/ #GamingHistory #DieHard

GTW Highlight No.14: July saw us covering the lost #PC prototype ...

2024-12-10T09:08:08Z

GTW Highlight No.14: July saw us covering the lost #PC prototype of The Ravaging by Pukka Games from 1999-2000, where you control an angel from hell in a 3rd person action-adventure. Check out the demo and video here:

https://gamesthatwerent.com/2024/07/the-ravaging/

GTW Highlight No.9: In April, we looked at Into The Shadows - an ...

2024-12-05T10:03:42Z

GTW Highlight No.9: In April, we looked at Into The Shadows - an impressive 3D fantasy fighting game developed for Scavenger in 1996 for #PC, #PlayStation + #SegaSaturn. Only a rolling demo currently exists, but something playable is hoped to be found.

https://gamesthatwerent.com/2024/04/into-the-shadows/

GTW Highlight No.8: Finally in March, we carried out a huge ...

2024-12-04T09:17:52Z

GTW Highlight No.8: Finally in March, we carried out a huge preservation project on Micro-Antics, the company that produced the amazing Chariot Race for the #Commodore #VIC20. All titles were fully preserved, including dev materials + an unreleased game:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/03/a-tribute-to-micro-antics/

GTW Highlight No.7: Again in March, we released an early ...

2024-12-03T09:51:21Z

GTW Highlight No.7: Again in March, we released an early prototype of Prehistorik Kart on the #Nintendo #GameBoyAdvance for the first time - a Mario Kart clone due as a compilation bonus for the GBA release of Prehistorik Man by Titus in 2001:

https://gamesthatwerent.com/2024/03/prehistorik-kart/

GTW Highlight No.6: In March, preservation work of Archer ...

2024-12-02T08:58:45Z

GTW Highlight No.6: In March, preservation work of Archer Maclean's disks continued with a look at many arcade concepts that Archer had created on the #Atari800 and sadly abandoned, including an early Robotron development:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/03/archer-macleans-atari-concepts/

GTW Highlight No.5: At the end of January, we presented a #PC ...

2024-12-01T11:18:56Z

GTW Highlight No.5: At the end of January, we presented a #PC demo of the lost Battle Bowls, a Puzzle Bobble clone due for release on #AtariST, #Falcon, #Amiga + #PC. Now you could see just how good this puzzler was shaping up:

https://gamesthatwerent.com/2024/01/battle-bowls/

GTW Highlight No.4: In January, we took a look at a complex 3D ...

2024-11-30T21:45:53Z

GTW Highlight No.4: In January, we took a look at a complex 3D space simulator called Tantalus for the #Amiga, #AtariST and #PC from 1991. Due for release in 1992 by Electronic Arts, it disappeared without a trace:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/01/tantalus/

GTW Highlight No.3: Our annual #Commodore64 Christmas update saw ...

2024-11-29T09:05:47Z

GTW Highlight No.3: Our annual #Commodore64 Christmas update saw various International Karate and IK+ prototypes recovered, with other Archer Maclean materials and many other games preserved for the first time. What will we have this year I wonder?

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2023/12/gtw64-christmas-update-2023/

GTW Highlight No.1: We had some huge findings last December, one ...

2024-11-27T13:09:52Z

GTW Highlight No.1: We had some huge findings last December, one of which was the full version of Codemaster's Stuntman Seymour on the #Amiga. Missing for 30 years and now playable:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2023/12/stuntman-seymour/

Koshimo was an impressive Kung Fu Master clone due for the ...

2024-11-25T09:38:25Z

Koshimo was an impressive Kung Fu Master clone due for the #Commodore64, featuring large enemies and brilliant graphics. Thalamus were reportedly keen, but the developer sadly lost interest and it was canned. See just how good it was looking for yourself:

https://gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/koshimo/

Circus Fun is a #Commodore64 clone of Konami's Circus Charlie ...

2024-11-18T09:01:11Z

Circus Fun is a #Commodore64 clone of Konami's Circus Charlie for Alligata Software. It was cancelled after poor testing. A version exists with music and tidy ups, which we hope will surface some day - but thankfully we managed to save something of it:

https://gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/circus-fun/

Not technically a Game That Wasn't, but a lovely story from ...

2024-11-14T09:40:17Z

Not technically a Game That Wasn't, but a lovely story from Ready64, where Modulus on the #Commodore64 was released with content missing, so not possible to complete. One of the coders Ivan Del Duca has now restored it to full glory. More details here:
https://ready64.org/recensioni/leggi_recensione.php?idrec=75

A U.S. Gold conversion of Sonic the Hedgehog? With a deal ...

2024-11-13T08:59:38Z

A U.S. Gold conversion of Sonic the Hedgehog? With a deal reportedly made, the title's huge success resulted in SEGA backtracking to keep Sonic on their hardware. #Amiga mock-ups though mysteriously surfaced. #Commodore64 #ZXSpectrum #PC #AtariST

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/11/sonic-the-hedgehog/

Check out Codename Desert Storm, a cool side-scrolling shooter ...

2024-11-04T10:59:56Z

Check out Codename Desert Storm, a cool side-scrolling shooter created for the #Commodore64 by Players Software in 1990. It wasn't released as the genre seemed tired to the publisher, but thanks to #GTW, you are able to play the full game!

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/codename-desert-storm/

Our October Games That Weren't #Commodore64 update has been ...

2024-10-30T10:48:35Z

Our October Games That Weren't #Commodore64 update has been published today, with a rare Alleykat demo, a huge 22 new entries + 46 entry updates. Including news of Blood'n Guts 2, lost Computer Novels titles, King of Chicago updates and much more!

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/10/gtw64-october-2024-update/

Although we've since had Sonic on the #Commodore64 - back in ...

2024-10-14T07:55:49Z

Although we've since had Sonic on the #Commodore64 - back in the day, we had to make do with the next best thing. One attempt was Chronic the Badger, a little on the slower pace side of things. Sadly, it never saw completion and just a few previews exist.

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/chronic-badger/

MegaRace was a futuristic racing game with pre-rendered FMV ...

2024-10-11T08:06:53Z

MegaRace was a futuristic racing game with pre-rendered FMV roads, released on PC and 3DO, but was also due an impressive looking #AmigaCD32 release too. Due to the decline of the market, it would never see the light of day. Could it be recovered one day?

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/10/megarace/

Another lost #Commodore64 game recovered today, and a ...

2024-10-10T10:51:25Z

Another lost #Commodore64 game recovered today, and a collaboration effort! Garden Wars was an early and simple game missing for 40 years, all kicked off by a search by Andrea Pachetti. More details and download in the links below:

https://quattrobit.substack.com/p/garden-wars-jce-1984
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/garden-wars/

Just learnt that as part of the 40th anniversary of Elite, Ian ...

2024-10-02T13:24:33Z

Just learnt that as part of the 40th anniversary of Elite, Ian Bell has updated and added more source code to his archive page. This includes #SNES and #MegaDrive source files, but also excitingly an Elite 2 project that was abandoned for the #BBCMicro

👉http://www.elitehomepage.org/fourty/

It Came From The Desert was a classic Cinemaware title that was ...

2024-10-02T08:02:53Z

It Came From The Desert was a classic Cinemaware title that was also due for release on the #AtariST, #Commodore64 and #SEGA Mega Drive platforms. None of them saw release, though thankfully the SEGA edition did sneak out in later years.

Read more at: https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/10/it-came-from-the-desert/

City Bomber is one of my favourite unreleased #Commodore64 games, ...

2024-09-30T07:55:20Z

City Bomber is one of my favourite unreleased #Commodore64 games, and one which Jon Wells has said he could be about to finish for Psytronik! It's pretty brutal though trying to save everyone! Read more and download at: https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/city-bomber/

#unreleased #cancelled #RETROGAMING

One amazing perk of running an unreleased games/prototype ...

2024-09-27T08:13:14Z

One amazing perk of running an unreleased games/prototype archive? Sometimes it has helped see a game get fully finished and released for the first time!

Is there one you'd love to see completed? I'll let you guess what mine is. 😉

Although looking like a hack, Beauty and the Beast (#Commodore64) ...

2024-09-23T08:12:37Z

Although looking like a hack, Beauty and the Beast (#Commodore64) recreates the Last Ninja engine with graphics + music from various games. It's a very impressive unofficial canned development considering the circumstances, with an endearing story too:

https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/beauty-and-beast/

Quarterstaff: The Tomb of Setmoth is an RPG title created for ...

2024-09-20T07:44:28Z

Quarterstaff: The Tomb of Setmoth is an RPG title created for Apple Mac back in 1988 for Infocom. Due a release on #PC and #AppleII platforms, it was never to be. However, the PC version has now been saved by archivist Ken Van Mersbergen.

Learn more at: https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2024/09/quarterstaff-the-tomb-of-setmoth/