E.T. and The Legend of the Buried Atari Cartridges: True or False?

Did they really bury a truckload of failed games in the desert or is it just a tall tale?

Vanesa Lucero

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial for the Atari 2600 was one of the most highly anticipated video games of the early 80s. Based on the popular movie, fans were eager to play the game and experience the adventures of E.T. for themselves. Unfortunately, the game was a massive disappointment, and is now widely considered one of the worst video games ever made.

The story of what happened to the unsold cartridges of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a legendary tale in the world of video games. According to the legend, thousands of unsold cartridges were buried in a landfill in the New Mexico desert, never to be seen again.

But is this story true? In recent years, the legend of the buried Atari cartridges has been the subject of much debate and speculation. Some believe that the story is nothing more than an urban legend, while others swear that the cartridges are buried in the desert, waiting to be discovered.

In 2014, a group of documentary filmmakers set out to uncover the truth behind the legend. They teamed up with a group of archaeologists and embarked on a journey to the New Mexico desert. After weeks of searching, they finally found what they were looking for: a large pit filled with thousands of Atari cartridges, just as the legend had described.

The discovery of the buried cartridges was a momentous occasion for video game enthusiasts and historians alike. The cartridges were carefully excavated, and many were still in their original packaging. It was a bittersweet discovery, as the cartridges were a reminder of the disappointment that E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial had brought to so many fans.

In conclusion, the story of the buried Atari cartridges is true. The discovery of the cartridges in the New Mexico desert is a testament to the enduring legacy of video games, and the impact they have had on popular culture. While E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial may have been a flop, the story of the buried cartridges will forever be a fascinating and memorable part of video game history.

Vanesa Lucero
Vane writes about video games and role playing games. Get cover when she cast a spell!
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