Xcavator was an NES title originally designed by legendary programmer Chris Oberth. It never found a publisher and seemed to have fallen into video game history. Now, a collaboration between iam8bit, Mega Cat Studios, and the Video Game History Foundation is resurrecting Xcavator. After a prototype’s source code was discovered following Oberth‘s passing away, it was rebuilt by the Video Game History Foundation. The rights holder, Incredible Technologies, then graciously agreed to donate the rights to the game to the VGHF to use as a fundraiser for its charitable work.

The Video Game History Foundation then worked with Mega Cat Studios to finish the game, staying true to Oberth’s original vision and using the tools and environments that Oberth would have utilized himself to make the game whole. Xcavator is now available to buy as a proper NES cart, with all profits made going directly to the Video Game History Foundation to fund future work.

In a press statement, iam8bit said. “Here at iam8bit, it’s our firm belief that the preservation of video game history is crucial to the medium’s future as a commercial product, an art form, and everything in between. That’s why we’re so excited to partner with the Video Game History Foundation to bring you something truly special: a never-before-seen, long-lost prototype game from legendary programmer Chris Oberth.”