Diggers begin quest to unearth Atari's E.T. games and...succeed... UPDATED!

[NightWolve]

Hidden for three decades in a landfill deep in the New Mexico desert lie thousands of Atari cartridges from what is widely believed to be worst video game ever made — or so the urban legend goes.

A group of filmmakers hopes to get to the bottom of the mystery Saturday by digging up the concrete-covered landfill in search of up to a million discarded copies of "E.T. The Extraterrestrial" that the game's maker wanted to hide forever. The game and its contribution to the demise of Atari have been the source of fascination for video game enthusiasts for 30 years, and the search for the cartridges will be featured in an upcoming documentary about the biggest video game company of the early '80s.

"Bottom line, this is just trash. But there is a legend in it, we want to unlock that legend, that mystery," a spokeswoman for the public relations firm working on behalf of Xbox Entertainment Studios, one of the companies developing the film. The documentary is expected to be released later this year on Microsoft's Xbox game consoles.

Paywall'ed: https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/article2597098.html
Wayback: sacbee.com/2014/04/26/6355644/diggers-ready-to-unearth-ataris.html

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. -- A construction crew is digging through several feet of dirt and trash in a New Mexico landfill to reach what they believe is a giant cache of cartridges from what some call the worst video game ever made.

A New York Times article from 1983 reported that Atari cartridges of "E.T. The Extraterrestrial" were dumped in the landfill in Alamogordo.

Fuel Entertainment is producing a documentary about the search.

The videogame's commercial failure was partially responsible for the demise of Atari in the early 1980's.

The contents of the "Atari Grave" have become urban legend, with blog posts speculating about millions of cartridges and other Atari projects buried there. A spokeswoman for Atari says the company changed hands many times since 1983 and does not know what is buried there.

So...will this urban legend of an alleged "Atari Grave" finally be uncovered ?? ;) Somebody thought about it enough to actually take it this far... Heh-heh.

[InfraMan]

Oh cool, this is starting today! Last I heard, the dig had been delayed pending government approval... glad to hear things are going forward finally!

[synbiosfan]

Now go dig out those Atari games that have been stored in your attic/basement/garage and you can list them on eBay claiming to be from the dig site!

[bob]

Night Creatures is way worse.

[InfraMan]

Night Creatures is way worse.

I don't know... give the choice, I think I'd rather play Night Creatures.

Now Ballistix, on the other hand... 

[jlued686]

So...will this urban legend of an alleged "Atari Grave" finally be uncovered ??

Already has:
http://kotaku.com/e-t-found-in-new-mexico-landfill-1568100161

Pretty fuckin' cool, I think.

[NightWolve]

So...will this urban legend of an alleged "Atari Grave" finally be uncovered ??

Already has:
http://kotaku.com/e-t-found-in-new-mexico-landfill-1568100161

Pretty fuckin' cool, I think.

Woah! Could it be, already ?? Ha!

https://www.kotaku.com.au/2014/04/et-found-in-new-mexico-landfill/

[TheClash603]

Centipede is awesome, how did that get in there?

If this rumor is true, shouldn't there be about 100,000 of them over there?  Just finding a few is kinda fishy.

[jlued686]

Centipede is awesome, how did that get in there?

If this rumor is true, shouldn't there be about 100,000 of them over there?  Just finding a few is kinda fishy.

According to the article:

The AP reports they've found "hundreds" so far, and we'll keep you updated as they keep digging.

[Sadler]

I'm curious how many different titles they'll find.

[Tatsujin]

yeah I find that kinda strange too, why they have to dig them out like separated gold nuggets all over the place, rather than all stacked together in one place.

I mean did atari burried them back in 1983 like single seeds on a field?

[PunkCryborg]

yeah I find that kinda strange too, why they have to dig them out like separated gold nuggets all over the place, rather than all stacked together in one place.

I mean did atari burried them back in 1983 like single seeds on a field?

well they have big holes in the ground and they stack all the trash into a pile and push it in the hole with a bulldozer so im sure it's all mixed in with lots of other trash.

[HailingTheThings]

This is super cool. I hope they have plans to recycle any and all carts found to make new repro carts or something along those lines. Yeah!

[Joe Redifer]

So has anyone thought to try out any of these carts to see if they still work?

[InfraMan]

I'm just curious as to how they're going to make an entire documentary out of this.

[Phase]

Yeah someone better try those mummy carts out, they look in good condition in that pic.

[o.pwuaioc]

I'm just curious as to how they're going to make an entire documentary out of this.

It'll probably be mostly about how "Atari ruined the video game industry" and how "ET directly led to a crash" sort of thing that's usually bandied about, culminating in the final big dig to see if what we've known for a while now is true.

[Tatsujin]

I'm just curious as to how they're going to make an entire documentary out of this.

It'll probably be mostly about how "Atari ruined the video game industry" and how "ET directly led to a crash" sort of thing that's usually bandied about, culminating in the final big dig to see if what we've known for a while now is true.

plus the whole planning of this operation until accomplished etc. which can be, if made well, quite exiting stuff. sure must be mixed together with some (made up-)drama etc.

[ClodBusted]

In 2020 there'll be a remake done by Michael Bay.

[Otaking]

I wonder if this will have a positive or negative effect on the upcoming AVGN movie.

[FiftyQuid]

I was thinking the same thing.  The movie is almost finished, and AVGN fans will buy it or go see it no matter what.  If anything it will probably promote the movie and help sales.  Google is smart, but not that smart so it'll pull up ET landfill and the AVGN movie tie in.

[InfraMan]

I'm just curious as to how they're going to make an entire documentary out of this.

It'll probably be mostly about how "Atari ruined the video game industry" and how "ET directly led to a crash" sort of thing that's usually bandied about, culminating in the final big dig to see if what we've known for a while now is true.

plus the whole planning of this operation until accomplished etc. which can be, if made well, quite exiting stuff. sure must be mixed together with some (made up-)drama etc.

That makes sense. I guess if they can make a riveting documentary about two guys competing for a high score on Donkey Kong, the scapegoating of E.T. could be stretched into a good 90 minutes of entertainment.

[CrackTiger]

I'm just curious as to how they're going to make an entire documentary out of this.

Just do a documentary about the rise and fall of the early video game market, then fill up time hyping the crap out of the urban legend, then drag out the detective work leading to the spot and excavation.

[Psycho Punch]

I'm not sure why this is a "legend". They had to destroy their huge overstock, and they can't magically make them disappear.

[NightWolve]

I wonder if this will have a positive or negative effect on the upcoming AVGN movie.

Ah, interesting, he even worked-in the actual E.T. programmer into the movie.  I wonder though if he'll try to update his plot now that some games have been unearthed... Looks like he's in post-production with it, could be too late and it seems like he might've went with the notion that the big grave was all bullshit (well, I assume that from listening to the programmer)...

[Tatsujin]

I'm not sure why this is a "legend". They had to destroy their huge overstock, and they can't magically make them disappear.

they could have burned them. in an incineration plant ^^

[TheClash603]

I wonder if this will have a positive or negative effect on the upcoming AVGN movie.

Ah, interesting, he even worked-in the actual E.T. programmer into the movie.  I wonder though if he'll try to update his plot now that some games have been unearthed... Looks like he's in post-production with it, could be too late and it seems like he might've went with the notion that the big grave was all bullshit (well, I assume that from listening to the programmer)...

I heard he was making a movie a few years ago and I figured it was just talk.  Now I watched that video and I will say at the very least, the guy is ambitious.  I might give it a watch and hope it is "Troma good," just to support a fan of video games and independent movies.

[HailingTheThings]

Oh wow! Check the updated headlines! They've found pallets of TTI games (including magical chaise!!) that had been dumped from the regional distribution center. I sure feel sorry for all the suckers who paid thousands for these late release rarities, but it seems to be a kind of poetic justice that after all these years the platform's most sought after titles will again be available now that it has finally gotten the respect that it deserves (in the NA market that is).

lol

[HailingTheThings]

Oh wow! Check the updated headlines! They've found pallets of TTI games (including magical chaise!!) that had been dumped from the regional distribution center. I sure feel sorry for all the suckers who paid thousands for these late release rarities, but it seems to be a kind of poetic justice that after all these years the platform's most sought after titles will again be available now that it has finally gotten the respect that it deserves (in the NA market that is).

lol

yah... nobody took the bait. Made me sad.

Might be because of the whole steam roller "legend" with MC err something.

[o.pwuaioc]

Oh wow! Check the updated headlines! They've found pallets of TTI games (including magical chaise!!) that had been dumped from the regional distribution center. I sure feel sorry for all the suckers who paid thousands for these late release rarities, but it seems to be a kind of poetic justice that after all these years the platform's most sought after titles will again be available now that it has finally gotten the respect that it deserves (in the NA market that is).

lol

yah... nobody took the bait. Made me sad.

I chuckled, but didn't think chuckling was worth a whole post.

[jtucci31]

Heh, it's ok. I didn't put full effort into it. I was going to post a link to the source (Rick roll vid) but my phone's keyboard was passing me off too much. That's what I get for half-assing.

Were you going to actually rick roll? Because I haven't been rick rolled in so long and you totally would've at least gotten me on that

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Heh, too funny.  What's MS's angle on funding such a pointless endeavor?  Free press?

[jtucci31]

Heh, it's ok. I didn't put full effort into it. I was going to post a link to the source (Rick roll vid) but my phone's keyboard was passing me off too much. That's what I get for half-assing.

Were you going to actually rick roll? Because I haven't been rick rolled in so long and you totally would've at least gotten me on that

Hey, didn't you win the Super Star Soldier raffle? Congrats, man! There are lots of cool cheats in that game, not to mention a couple of simple but fun hidden games (a short side scrolling platformer, and a mini king of casino type game).  Too many codes to list here but you can get them at gamfaqs: 

http://www.gamefaqs.com/tg16/589127-super-star-soldier

That is me! I had been looking into getting the PCE version for awhile and this worked out perfectly. I'm real excited to play it even though I've heard it's pretty difficult.

And thanks for all the information and whatnot, I appreciate it. I'll definitely check it out once I get the game

[munchiaz]

So the gaming historian just did a little ep on this topic

[NightWolve]

So the gaming historian just did a little ep on this topic

Hmmm, I guess he's right.

[jtucci31]

Heh, it's ok. I didn't put full effort into it. I was going to post a link to the source (Rick roll vid) but my phone's keyboard was passing me off too much. That's what I get for half-assing.

Were you going to actually rick roll? Because I haven't been rick rolled in so long and you totally would've at least gotten me on that

Nah, rickroll is a prank whose day has come and gone. It would be lame and in poor taste to do something like that nowadays.

Hey, didn't you win the Super Star Soldier raffle? Congrats, man! There are lots of cool cheats in that game, not to mention a couple of simple but fun hidden games (a short side scrolling platformer, and a mini king of casino type game).  Too many codes to list here but you can get them at gamfaqs: 

http://www.gamefaqs.com/tg16/589127-super-star-soldier

You know, I've been on my phone for awhile and forget to check back on the link until now. You really gave me a good laugh Thank you! haha i feel like it's 2006 again!

[ToyMachine78]

Those boxes and carts are remarkably well preserved. I'm shocked! The cart looks almost new lol

[Bernie]

Those boxes and carts are remarkably well preserved. I'm shocked! The cart looks almost new lol

Well, if they were packed under earth, and packed well, water most likely never made it down that far to help decompose things.

[ToyMachine78]

Those boxes and carts are remarkably well preserved. I'm shocked! The cart looks almost new lol

Well, if they were packed under earth, and packed well, water most likely never made it down that far to help decompose things.

uhhhhh..... That's how water and gravity work. Water sinks from the surface through the soil until ends up in some water table or aquifer. Not trying to be a smart ass, seriously. Where these buried in a desert or something?

[jlued686]

Where these buried in a desert or something?

New Mexico. So...yes.

[BigusSchmuck]

I recall Nintendo doing something similar to this back in the late 90s with all those extra copies of Actraiser and top loading NESs at the local landfill in the town I grew up in. Luckily I manged to get a few top loading NESs and a new copy of Actraiser, pity I can't find neither at my dad's place..

[ToyMachine78]

Where these buried in a desert or something?

New Mexico. So...yes.

oh. Well that makes a littles more sense then :-)

[VestCunt]

Where these buried in a desert or something?

New Mexico. So...yes.

oh. Well that makes a littles more sense then :-)

The area was also covered in concrete.

[ToyMachine78]

Where these buried in a desert or something?

New Mexico. So...yes.

oh. Well that makes a littles more sense then :-)

The area was also covered in concrete.

Man they must not have wanted anyone digging up those turds. Lol

[Otaking]

The dug up Atari E.T. carts apparently sold for up to $1500 on eBay.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Silly collectards paying big monies for otherwise worthless games just because they were once thrown away. 

[munchiaz]

This is the dumbest shit. Like it's a known fact that Atari buried a bunch of games in a landfill. The myth was that it was only E.T. carts that were buried. Also i heard there are tons of these that the city has yet to put up yet. So those people who spent over $1k to get one are going to see that later on more copies are going to go up for less money.

[technozombie]

This is the dumbest shit. Like its a known fact that Atari buried a bunch of games in a landfill. The myth was that it was only E.T. carts that were buried. Also i heard there are tons of these that the city has yet to put up yet. So those people who spent over $1k to get one are going to see that later on more copies are going to go up for less money.

Pat the Nes Punk did a podcast on this. Apparently their are a bunch more going up on ebay and this was just the first round. Not to mention they could go digup more if the really wanted too. People are losing their shit over video games in general. When will it end.

[xcrement5x]

This is the dumbest shit. Like its a known fact that Atari buried a bunch of games in a landfill. The myth was that it was only E.T. carts that were buried. Also i heard there are tons of these that the city has yet to put up yet. So those people who spent over $1k to get one are going to see that later on more copies are going to go up for less money.

Pat the Nes Punk did a podcast on this. Apparently their are a bunch more going up on ebay and this was just the first round. Not to mention they could go digup more if the really wanted too. People are losing their shit over video games in general. When will it end.

I would love to see a video game themed beanie baby made, just to drive home how ludicrous the bubble around the video game "market" is right now.

[TR0N]

The dug up Atari E.T. carts apparently sold for up to $1500 on eBay.

I guess you could say one mans trash is another mans treasure