The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics
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The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics
The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics The Games That Weren't - Unseen Gaming Classics
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The Games That Weren't

Discover the fascinating stories behind video games that never made it to your shelves with this comprehensive 644-page hardcover from Bitmap Books.

  • Over 80 unreleased games from 1975-2015 across all major platforms
  • Exclusive interviews with industry legends like David Crane, Jeff Minter, and Eugene Jarvis
  • Never-before-seen screenshots, assets, and specially-created artist's impressions
  • Premium hardcover with fluorescent inks, sewn binding, and 644 high-quality pages
  • Features iconic lost titles including Star Fox 2, Sonic X-treme, and SimMars
  • Includes five 'Hardware That Weren't' blueprint pieces exploring cancelled consoles

€35.98 Tax included (10%)

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The ultimate tribute to gaming's greatest mysteries and lost masterpieces

What happened to those games you heard whispers about but never got to play? The Games That Weren't finally tells their stories. This monumental 644-page hardcover from Bitmap Books is the most comprehensive exploration of unreleased video games ever published, spanning four decades of gaming history from the Atari 2600 era right through to PlayStation 4.

You'll discover over 80 cancelled, abandoned, and unreleased titles that never made it past the development stage – each with its own compelling tale of ambition, technical challenges, or unfortunate circumstances. From household names like Star Fox 2 and Sonic X-treme to obscure curiosities you've never heard of, every game gets the spotlight it deserves.

Exclusive insights from the people who were there

What makes this book truly special is the unprecedented access to the developers, designers, and industry legends who worked on these lost games. You'll read in-depth interviews with icons like David Crane, Jeff Minter, Matthew Smith, Eugene Jarvis, Dylan Cuthbert, Jon Hare, and many more as they share their memories, frustrations, and untold stories from development. These aren't just dry facts – they're personal recollections that bring these forgotten projects back to life.

The book is packed with rare and never-before-seen assets, including original screenshots, concept art, and design documents. For games where no visual materials survived, Bitmap Books commissioned specially-created artist's impressions that give you a tantalizing glimpse of what might have been. You'll also find five exclusive 'Hardware That Weren't' blueprint pieces exploring cancelled gaming platforms and peripherals.

Premium quality meets passionate storytelling

As you'd expect from Bitmap Books, The Games That Weren't is a visual and tactile masterpiece. The hardcover features eye-catching fluorescent inks throughout, high-quality sewn binding that lets the book lay flat for perfect double-page viewing, and premium paper stock that does justice to every image. At 170mm × 210mm, it's substantial enough to make a statement on your shelf while remaining comfortable to read. The coloured bookmark ribbon helps you keep your place as you explore this massive volume.

Whether you're interested in the technical limitations that doomed Atari 2600 projects, the corporate decisions that killed promising N64 titles, or the ambitious ideas that were simply ahead of their time, you'll find something fascinating on every page. Games covered span arcade classics, home computers like the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64, every major console generation, handheld systems, and even mobile platforms.

A celebration of what could have been

While the gaming industry rightly celebrates its successes, there's something uniquely captivating about the roads not taken. These unreleased games represent countless hours of creative effort, technical innovation, and passionate development – and they deserve to be remembered. The Games That Weren't ensures that titles like Green Lantern, SimMars, Thrill Kill, Propeller Arena, and dozens more won't be forgotten, preserving their legacy for future generations of gaming enthusiasts.

This book is essential reading for retro gaming collectors, industry professionals, game historians, and anyone who's ever wondered about the games that got away. It's years in the making and represents Bitmap Books' most ambitious project to date – and one that gaming culture desperately needed.

Bitmap Books
BM-GTW
9781999353308
9781838019129
Book Type
Hardcover
Binding Type
Hardcover
Author
Bitmap Books
Manufacturer
EU responsible person
CBL Distribution
1229 Stratford Road
Cambrai Court
B28 9AA Birmingham
Vereinigtes Königreich
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The Games That Weren't
€35.98