Games That Weren't
@gamesthatwerent.com
Covering cancelled/unreleased video games and prototypes across a variety of consoles and home computers. Preserving unreleased video game history online since 1999, and longer offline.
Check out our archive and more at: https://www.gamesthatwerent.com
Check out our archive and more at: https://www.gamesthatwerent.com
Updates very slow due to personal circumstances, but I can finally announce that a Polish edition of the Games That Weren't book is available for pre-order: gknb.pl
Never in a million years did I imagine seeing a translated edition - genuinely blown me away!
Never in a million years did I imagine seeing a translated edition - genuinely blown me away!
November 14, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Updates very slow due to personal circumstances, but I can finally announce that a Polish edition of the Games That Weren't book is available for pre-order: gknb.pl
Never in a million years did I imagine seeing a translated edition - genuinely blown me away!
Never in a million years did I imagine seeing a translated edition - genuinely blown me away!
Popping up to Crash Live 2025 in Kenilworth tomorrow morning. Not looking forward to the train journey, but really looking forward to catching up with friends, meeting new people - and hopefully squeezing in a bit of gaming for a break! 🙂
November 14, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Popping up to Crash Live 2025 in Kenilworth tomorrow morning. Not looking forward to the train journey, but really looking forward to catching up with friends, meeting new people - and hopefully squeezing in a bit of gaming for a break! 🙂
FREEZE #80 arrived today thanks to @freeze64.bsky.social with a great feature on one of my fave games: Ghettoblaster, plus interview with Mark Harrison and a lot more. More details can be found at: freeze64.com/freeze64-iss...
November 14, 2025 at 8:47 PM
FREEZE #80 arrived today thanks to @freeze64.bsky.social with a great feature on one of my fave games: Ghettoblaster, plus interview with Mark Harrison and a lot more. More details can be found at: freeze64.com/freeze64-iss...
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:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/11/tinh...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/11/tinh...
November 11, 2025 at 9:02 AM
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:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/11/tinh...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/11/tinh...
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!
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/11/supe...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/11/supe...
November 3, 2025 at 9:12 AM
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!
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/11/supe...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/11/supe...
It's our tenth Games That Weren't #Commodore64 digest of 2025 with addition of Rocky Memphis and the Temple of Ophuxoff, and 5 other existing entry updates (more details in each history tab). A smaller one this month, but some big findings coming soon!
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/gtw6...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/gtw6...
October 31, 2025 at 2:12 PM
It's our tenth Games That Weren't #Commodore64 digest of 2025 with addition of Rocky Memphis and the Temple of Ophuxoff, and 5 other existing entry updates (more details in each history tab). A smaller one this month, but some big findings coming soon!
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/gtw6...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/gtw6...
Thanks to John Hardie contacting us, remains of a lost Earthquake game (with graphics by the late Jerome Domurat) were recovered in June 2025 for either #Atari2600 or #Atari8bit. We take a look to try and learn more about the game:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/eart...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/eart...
October 15, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Thanks to John Hardie contacting us, remains of a lost Earthquake game (with graphics by the late Jerome Domurat) were recovered in June 2025 for either #Atari2600 or #Atari8bit. We take a look to try and learn more about the game:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/eart...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/eart...
Something very special today with the release of Jeff Minter's 'Fastlife' for the ZX81 - based on Conway's 'Life', preserved for the first time by Steve Brown of the TZXVault and released by Games That Weren't today! More details and download here:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/earl...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/earl...
October 13, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Something very special today with the release of Jeff Minter's 'Fastlife' for the ZX81 - based on Conway's 'Life', preserved for the first time by Steve Brown of the TZXVault and released by Games That Weren't today! More details and download here:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/earl...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/earl...
Thanks to LiqMatrix’s incredible preservation work (with support from @museumofplay.bsky.social and wcnews.com), the KATT Games Master Keyboard (obscure 90s gaming device) is archived. We've uploaded raw scans and files, + an unboxing video by LiqMatrix here:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/the-...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/the-...
October 11, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Thanks to LiqMatrix’s incredible preservation work (with support from @museumofplay.bsky.social and wcnews.com), the KATT Games Master Keyboard (obscure 90s gaming device) is archived. We've uploaded raw scans and files, + an unboxing video by LiqMatrix here:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/the-...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/the-...
This week at Games That Weren't, we recovered a lost EA proto called Path of the Little Dragon (#Amiga) + added a lost preview of Blues Brothers 2 (Amiga), added entry for Conspiracy of the Deadlock Files (#PCDOS) and a lost Amiga conversion of EA's NHL Hockey. Links in replies.
October 11, 2025 at 10:27 AM
This week at Games That Weren't, we recovered a lost EA proto called Path of the Little Dragon (#Amiga) + added a lost preview of Blues Brothers 2 (Amiga), added entry for Conspiracy of the Deadlock Files (#PCDOS) and a lost Amiga conversion of EA's NHL Hockey. Links in replies.
Prompt as always! FREEZE #79 arrives thanks to @freeze64.bsky.social with a great feature on Prince Clumsy, plus more from Terry Lloyd. More Hidden Harmonies from Warren Pilkington, Ccrapback from Julian Rignall and more. Details + ordering info can be found at: freeze64.com/freeze64-iss...
October 10, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Prompt as always! FREEZE #79 arrives thanks to @freeze64.bsky.social with a great feature on Prince Clumsy, plus more from Terry Lloyd. More Hidden Harmonies from Warren Pilkington, Ccrapback from Julian Rignall and more. Details + ordering info can be found at: freeze64.com/freeze64-iss...
Back in 2014, developer Andy Swann sent Games That Weren't a cool prototype platformer for the #SEGA Mega Drive called Frog Dude, where you could swap between a mace wielding prince and a frog with a large tongue. Not thought to be strong enough a title, and so was sadly canned.
October 8, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Back in 2014, developer Andy Swann sent Games That Weren't a cool prototype platformer for the #SEGA Mega Drive called Frog Dude, where you could swap between a mace wielding prince and a frog with a large tongue. Not thought to be strong enough a title, and so was sadly canned.
We've been busy recently working on recovering a lost 1989 EA game - not for PC Engine, but for the #Amiga. Path of the Little Dragon is an early proto beat-’em-up done PC Engine style, and today we’re sharing several builds with you. Learn more here:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/path...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/path...
October 6, 2025 at 8:01 AM
We've been busy recently working on recovering a lost 1989 EA game - not for PC Engine, but for the #Amiga. Path of the Little Dragon is an early proto beat-’em-up done PC Engine style, and today we’re sharing several builds with you. Learn more here:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/path...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/path...
A huge surprise today, with a preview recovery of the unreleased The Blues Brothers: Jukebox Adventure on #Amiga. Dlfrsilver got in touch with Games That Weren't to share his recovery of this long lost game, and its hoped more can be found! Check it out at:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/the-...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/the-...
October 4, 2025 at 11:45 AM
A huge surprise today, with a preview recovery of the unreleased The Blues Brothers: Jukebox Adventure on #Amiga. Dlfrsilver got in touch with Games That Weren't to share his recovery of this long lost game, and its hoped more can be found! Check it out at:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/the-...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/the-...
This week at Games That Weren't, we had our #Commodore64 digest update for September, a new entry for a lost #SNES/#SEGAMegaDrive version of Litil Divil, Alien Olympics prototypes for #PCDOS and an entry for the lost #PCEngine title, Kickle Cubicle. Links in replies.
October 4, 2025 at 10:23 AM
This week at Games That Weren't, we had our #Commodore64 digest update for September, a new entry for a lost #SNES/#SEGAMegaDrive version of Litil Divil, Alien Olympics prototypes for #PCDOS and an entry for the lost #PCEngine title, Kickle Cubicle. Links in replies.
Two early builds of Alien Olympics #PC have been recovered from August and October 1994 with plenty of differences compared to the final release by Mindscape. Different titles and presentation, and slightly earlier graphics in places:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/alie...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/alie...
October 2, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Two early builds of Alien Olympics #PC have been recovered from August and October 1994 with plenty of differences compared to the final release by Mindscape. Different titles and presentation, and slightly earlier graphics in places:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/alie...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/10/alie...
It's our ninth Games That Weren't #Commodore64 digest of 2025 with the release of Indiana Jones 3, remains of lost Gremlin game Hill 19, rare graphics for Piranha's Coven game recovered - as well as 6 other new entries and 18 existing entry updates.
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/gtw6...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/gtw6...
September 29, 2025 at 7:55 AM
It's our ninth Games That Weren't #Commodore64 digest of 2025 with the release of Indiana Jones 3, remains of lost Gremlin game Hill 19, rare graphics for Piranha's Coven game recovered - as well as 6 other new entries and 18 existing entry updates.
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/gtw6...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/gtw6...
This week at Games That Weren't, we released an unknown platform engine + Jetpax DX prototypes for #GameBoyColor, assets for Hill 19 + Coven on the #Commodore64, an entry for Judge Dredd on #AmstradCPC - plus #GameBoy road engine and source used for Road Rash. Links follow!
September 27, 2025 at 8:27 AM
This week at Games That Weren't, we released an unknown platform engine + Jetpax DX prototypes for #GameBoyColor, assets for Hill 19 + Coven on the #Commodore64, an entry for Judge Dredd on #AmstradCPC - plus #GameBoy road engine and source used for Road Rash. Links follow!
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!
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/game...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/game...
September 26, 2025 at 7:51 AM
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!
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/game...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/game...
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.
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/jetp...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/jetp...
September 24, 2025 at 7:58 AM
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.
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/jetp...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/jetp...
Recovery work today for the #Commodore64 with a long lost Gremlin Graphics game named 'Hill 19' (Later known as Shell Shock). Sadly nothing playable, but plenty of assets recovered. Also - we have recovered lost graphics for the unreleased Piranha game 'Coven'. Links in reply.
September 23, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Recovery work today for the #Commodore64 with a long lost Gremlin Graphics game named 'Hill 19' (Later known as Shell Shock). Sadly nothing playable, but plenty of assets recovered. Also - we have recovered lost graphics for the unreleased Piranha game 'Coven'. Links in reply.
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.
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/unkn...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/unkn...
September 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM
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.
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/unkn...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/unkn...
This week at Games That Weren't, we released a very early proto of Duel for #PC #DOS, the long lost Moonsweeper on the #VIC-20 thanks to Ken Van Mersbergen, Alien Olympics prototypes for the #GameBoy and entries for Paria (#AppleMac) and Rimrunner (#AmstradCPC) ... Links below!
September 20, 2025 at 11:12 AM
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:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/alie...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/alie...
September 17, 2025 at 7:49 AM
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:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/alie...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/alie...
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:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/imag...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/imag...
September 16, 2025 at 8:05 AM
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:
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/imag...
www.gamesthatwerent.com/2025/09/imag...