iam8bit, Video Game History Foundation and Mega Cat Studios to Bring Long-Lost NES Game Xcavator Back to Life

 

iam8bit has partnered with the Video Game History Foundation, Mega Cat Studios, and Retrotainment Games to bring legendary programmer Chris Oberth’s long-lost NES game Xcavator back to life with the upcoming release of Xcavator 2025 (NES Cartridge). This one-of-a-kind premium physical release comes with an NES cartridge of the game and a brand-new manual, featuring further insights into the game and Oberth authored by the team at the Video Game History Foundation (VGHF). In addition, 100 percent of the profits will go to supporting the VGHF’s mission to preserve and celebrate the history of video games. Fans of video games and their preservation can pre-order the product for $100 starting today at iam8bit.com. Pre-orders close on Monday, January 10, and the physical game is expected to ship in Q2 2026. Supporters of the VGHF can also donate to the team’s Winter Fundraiser event here.

Originally developed at Incredible Technologies Inc., the company behind coin-op classics like Golden Tee Golf, Big Buck Hunter and more, Xcavator was shopped around to multiple publishers across the country in 1991, but never found a home, and was quietly archived and never looked at again. After the original source code was donated by Oberth’s family to the VGHF, the game was rebuilt in partnership with Mega Cat Studios. and Incredible Technologies agreed to donate the rights to the VGHF to preserve the game IP and aid the charity’s fundraising for its work within the videogames industry.Through a collective effort rooted in passion and altruism, Xcavator is now finished, staying true to Oberth’s original vision, using the same tools that would’ve been used to fully develop the title in 1991.

"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,” said Frank Cifaldi, founder and director of the Video Game History Foundation. “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."

iam8bit worked with Retrotainment to produce a classic gray NES cartridge. The cartridge will be packed in with a 14-page manual, authored by the VGHF. Retro gaming fans who grew up in the NES era will find a lovingly crafted nod to manuals of the past with an additional special segment of the book dedicated to the history of Xcavator, Oberth, the studio and more, making for a release that players and retro enthusiasts can display proudly for years to come.

Assets for Xcavator 2025 (NES Cartridge) can be found here.