In an exciting discovery for retro gaming enthusiasts, an Atari 2600 version of Tarzan, a game once believed to be lost forever, has been unearthed and made available for online play. The rediscovery of this hidden gem sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of video game preservation.
Tarzan, originally developed for the ColecoVision in conjunction with the 1984 movie Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, was also planned for release on other consoles, including the Atari 2600. The Atari version was entrusted to James Wickstead Design Associates (JWDA), who faced the task of adapting the game to the 2600’s limitations.
Despite the limitations of the Atari 2600’s 4KB storage capacity, JWDA successfully implemented a novel bankswitching technique that allowed for a larger and more immersive scrolling experience. This technique enabled the game to surpass the console’s storage constraints and deliver a visually impressive adventure.
However, the Atari version of Tarzan fell victim to the video game recession that plagued the industry in the mid-1980s. As a result, the game never saw an official release, and its existence faded into obscurity.
Fast forward to 2022, when collector Rob “AtariSpot” stumbled upon a copy of the Atari 2600 Tarzan prototype from a former Coleco employee. The journey to make the game playable on emulators proved to be complex, but thanks to the tireless efforts of video game historian Kevin Bunch and Atari homebrew programmer Thomas Jentzsch, Tarzan is now playable on the Internet Archive, allowing gamers to experience this long-lost treasure.
The rediscovery of the Atari 2600 version of Tarzan highlights the importance of video game preservation. It serves as a reminder that even games that may seem lost can be unearthed and shared with future generations, preserving the rich history of the gaming industry.
