Historians recover lost NES game code, finish game and sell cartridge for charity
Historians find lost NES game code, finish rom and sell rare cartridge for charity - how they found it and what they discovered will surprise you.
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The Video Game History Foundation team and partners have recovered the source code for an unreleased NES shooter. Rebuilt true to the vision of legendary programmer Chris Oberth, using the same tools he would have used, the project will be sold on physical cartridge in a charity campaign to fund the preservation of video game history. This article explains how the find was recovered, finalized and released to the public.
Unreleased NES game "Xcavator 2025" is recovered and will be released as a fundraiser
A never-published prototype for the Nintendo Entertainment System has been restored and completed by historians and developers. Xcavator 2025, originally created by Chris Oberth, has had its source code recovered and will now be sold on physical cartridge to fund the preservation of video game history.
Discovery and origin of the project
The game material was found in the development files left by Chris Oberth, a programmer active in the 1980s and 1990s. These files were donated by Oberth's family to the Video Game History Foundation after his death, and the prototype was among the archived items. The title was designed for the NES in 1991, with the intention of being published by Incredible Technologies, but was never released at the time.
Production and completion of the game
The Video Game History Foundation worked with the Mega Cat studio to rebuild and finalize Xcavator 2025. The teams claim that the work respected Oberth's original vision and used the same tools and development environments that he would have used in 1991. The final version includes an NES-compatible cartridge and a manual with information on the history of the project.
Launch and collection
- Announcement: presented during the Day of the Devs event.
- Pre-order: cartridge available for US$100.
- Release date: expected for the second quarter of 2026.
- Proceeds: 100% of the sales revenue will go to the Video Game History Foundation to support the preservation of historical video game materials.
Callout: The proceeds from the sale of the cartridge will be used entirely to fund the preservation and recovery of historical materials from the video games industry.
Conclusion
The recovery and completion of Xcavator 2025 acts as a veritable treasure chest of time: the Video Game History Foundation and its partners have brought Chris Oberth's code to light, respecting his vision and using original tools. The physical cartridge release transforms nostalgia into concrete action - rescued games and resources earmarked for preservation. For fans and collectors, it's a rare opportunity to hold a historic prototype in your hands.
To read more discoveries and reports on video game preservation, go to https://redeblox.com.br.
