Rebuilt from legendary programmer Chris Oberth’s original source code, iam8bit, the Video Game History Foundation, Mega Cat Studios, and Retrotainment Games are bringing the long-lost NES game Xcavator back to life with the upcoming release of Xcavator 2025 (NES Cartridge).
Originally developed at Incredible Technologies Inc., Xcavator was shopped around to multiple publishers in 1991 but never found a home at the time.
After the original source code was donated by Oberth’s family to the Video Game History Foundation, the title has been rebuilt in partnership with Mega Cat Studios.
Incredible Technologies has agreed to donate the rights to the Video Game History Foundation to preserve the game IP and aid the charity’s fundraising for its work within the videogames industry..
Frank Cifaldi, founder and director of the Video Game History Foundation, said the following:
“The original Xcavator prototype is a rare glimpse at the struggles of an indie developer trying to break into the console industry during the 8-bit golden age.
The world wasn’t ready for it in 1991, but thanks to Oberth saving his work – and to his family for getting it into archivist hands – 2026 will be the year that his work will finally see the light of day.
This is an important piece of game history and we’re proud to be able to raise awareness for it with the help of everyone involved.”
Pre-orders for Xcavator 2025 will close January 10 via the official website, with the physical game expected to ship in Q2 2026
Note that 100% of profits will go to supporting the Video Game History Foundation’s mission to preserve and celebrate the history of video games.
Source: Press Release
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