Long-lost and forgotten games getting re-releases is nothing new these days, thanks to sites like GamesThatWeren’t, but this is something very special.
iam8bit is teaming up with the Video Game History Foundation, Mega Cat Studios, and Retrotainment Games to resurrect a long-lost NES game: Xcavator, originally developed in 1991 but never released.
The newly rebuilt version — simply titled Xcavator 2025 (NES Cartridge) — is available to pre-order right now for $100, with profits going directly to support the Video Game History Foundation’s mission to preserve gaming history. Pre-orders close January 10, and the finished cartridges will ship in Q2 2026.
Xcavator-ing the past
Xcavator’s journey is the kind of story retro fans love. Originally created at Incredible Technologies (yes, the Golden Tee people), the game was pitched around but never picked up. It was shelved, archived, and essentially forgotten — until the family of the game’s programmer, Chris Oberth (who died in 2012) donated his original source code to the Video Game History Foundation.
From there, Mega Cat Studios painstakingly rebuilt the game from the original code, using period-authentic tools to finish it exactly as it would have been in 1991. Incredible Technologies even donated the IP rights, so the release could help raise funds for archival preservation.
As VGHF founder Frank Cifaldi puts it, “The world wasn’t ready for it in 1991… but 2026 will be the year his work finally sees the light of day.”
A proper NES release, manual and all
iam8bit and Retrotainment have produced a classic gray NES cartridge, packed with a new 14-page manual written by the VGHF. It’s designed just like the old-school booklets we all used to flip through in the backseat of the car on the way home from the rental shop — except this one includes a special section detailing the history of the game, the studio, and Oberth himself.
Whether you’re a collector, an NES diehard, or just a fan of game-preservation miracles, this is the kind of physical release that won’t come around often.
You can order Xcavator 2025 (NES Cartridge) from iam8bit, ahead of its 2026 release.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
