In 2012, programmer Chris Oberth passed away after a career that spanned from the dawn of video games in the late ’70s to the PlayStation 2 era. Now, one of Oberth’s unfinished games, Xcavator 2025, has been completed and it’s slated for a physical release on the console it was originally intended for: the NES.
The Video Game History Foundation–with the permission and support of Oberth’s family–found the source code for Xcavator 2025 in Oberth’s development archives. It was originally developed by Incredible Technologies Inc., the company behind the Golden Tee Golf and Big Buck Hunter arcade games. However, it was rejected by publishers in 1991, and it was never seen again until now.
To finish the game, the VGHF teamed up with Mega Cat Studios, which was guided by the remaining materials to recapture the spirit of Oberth’s original vision. Towards that end, Mega Cat Studios’ development team only used the tools and environments that would have been available at the time. A standalone trailer for Xcavator 2025 isn’t available yet, but the first footage was screened during the Day of the Devs: The Game Awards Edition at the 1 hour 43:31 mark below.
What an exciting development for fans of retro gaming! It’s fascinating to see long-lost games finally getting the recognition they deserve, especially considering the legacy of Chris Oberth. This release is sure to bring a wave of nostalgia for many.
Absolutely! It’s amazing how technology can bring these hidden gems back to life. This release not only honors Chris Oberth’s legacy but also offers a glimpse into the creativity of the era. Retro games often have unique design elements that can inspire today’s developers.