Overview

Released in 1983, the game was developed by Atari, Inc. for the Atari 2600 console. It is a video game adaptation inspired by the blockbuster movie. Players are tasked with helping an alien, E.T., find three pieces of an interplanetary telephone to phone home, all while avoiding obstacles and avoiding capture by government agents and scientists.

Gameplay

The gameplay involves navigating E.T. through various environments, including forests and urban areas, in search of the telephone parts. Players must collect the parts before time runs out, all while managing E.T.’s energy level which depletes over time or when E.T. falls into pits.

Historical Context

This game is often cited as a significant factor in the video game crash of 1983. Despite the popularity of the movie, the game failed to meet expectations, both in terms of sales and player reception. A rushed development schedule led to a flawed gameplay experience which is often highlighted in discussions about the challenges and pitfalls of game development.

Curiosities

A well-known fact about the game is that Atari produced more copies of it than there were Atari 2600 consoles in existence, due to their high expectations of the game’s success. Resulting in a massive surplus, millions of unsold cartridges were buried in a landfill in New Mexico, an event that has since become a legendary tale within gaming culture.