Description

The video game released in 1982 by Atari, Inc. is a single-player adventure game, based on the popular movie of the same name. Designed for the Atari 2600 console, the game puts players in the role of the extraterrestrial trying to find pieces of a telephone to contact his spaceship and return home, while avoiding government agents. The game utilizes a top-down perspective and employs basic puzzle-solving elements.

Historical Significance

This video game is infamous in the history of video gaming due to its rushed production timeline and poor reception. Developed in a mere six weeks to capitalize on the film’s success, the quality of the final product suffered significantly. It is often cited as one of the worst video games ever made and is largely associated with the video game industry crash of 1983.

Development and Legacy

The game was designed by Howard Scott Warshaw, who faced enormous pressure to deliver the product in time for the holiday season. Unfortunately, the game’s critical and commercial failure led to massive financial losses for Atari. For many years, rumors circulated about unsold cartridges being buried in a landfill. These rumors were confirmed in 2014, when numerous unsold copies were unearthed in Alamogordo, New Mexico.