Welcome to Games That Weren't!

We are an Cancelled & Unreleased Video games archive with prototypes, developer history and assets for many computers and consoles of all ages. A non-profit large archive dedicated to preserving lost games that were never released to the public. Sharing history and stories from the developers, assets and more before it is too late. GTW has been preserving lost video game history online since 1999, and long before that offline.

Please Browse our archive and discover the many entries that we host for many different platforms.

Latest News and Posts

Squibbly Shibbly

Posted: , last updated: by Frank Gasking

1997 Miracle FX Productions

Platform: Commodore Amiga 1200

An interesting title for the Commodore Amiga that was highlighted to us by contributor Ivan and was reviewed in Amiga Format magazine back in July 1997.

Although a decent enough looking platformer at a time when software was a little scarce on the platform, Amiga Format ripped the game to shreds and gave it a very poor 20%.

squib6

The game had been created in the Reality Software Construction Kit, and in the game you controlled Squibbly and had to find various objects to give to your family. There were also family members imprisoned that you had to try and release. Sort of similar to the Dizzy games in a strange way. Continue reading →

Posted in: Commodore Amiga, Reviews | Tagged: | 1 Comment

GTW VIC-20 updates

Posted: , last updated: by Frank Gasking

A short update for the Commodore VIC-20 archive with 4 new titles added into the archives, including one which is deemed to be the holy grail of unreleased VIC-20 titles.

These additions come thanks to team member Fabrizio Bartoloni for highlighting. If you have any suggestions for missing/unreleased VIC-20 games for the archive, then please do get in touch.

Posted in: News | Leave a comment

Electronic Calendar

Posted: , last updated: by Frank Gasking

1982 Commodore

Platform: Commodore Vic 20
A short entry for a title that we are not 100% certain at this stage was ever started, but has featured for years on the Ward Shrake Vapourware list. The list contains a number of cartridge numbers which the actual intended title was unknown: Vic-1903, Vic-1934, Vic-1936, Vic-1940.  It was suspected that one of them could have been this game, and another Space Vultures which we also have listed in the archive. This name was taken from the back of an original VIC-20 box, but nothing has since been seen. We wonder what the purpose of this would have been apart from showing a digital calendar on the screen. Perhaps there were print options or similar? If you know anything more about this cartridge, then please let us know. With thanks to Fabrizio Bartoloni for highlighting.
Posted in: Commodore VIC-20, Reviews | Tagged: | Leave a comment

Speed Type

Posted: , last updated: by Frank Gasking

1982 Commodore

Platform: Commodore Vic 20

A short entry for a title that we are not 100% certain at this stage was ever started, but has featured for years on the Ward Shrake Vapourware list.

The list contains a number of cartridge numbers which the actual intended title was unknown: Vic-1903, Vic-1934, Vic-1936, Vic-1940.  It was suspected that one of them could have been this game, and another Space Vultures which we also have listed in the archive.

This name was taken from the back of an original VIC-20 box, but nothing has since been seen. We assume that this particular cartridge would have been a typing tutor game of some kind. If you know anything more, please do get in touch.

With thanks to Fabrizio Bartoloni for highlighting.

Posted in: Commodore VIC-20, Reviews | Tagged: | Leave a comment

Wizard of Wor

Posted: , last updated: by Frank Gasking

1982 Commodore

Platform: Commodore Vic 20

A short entry for a title that we are not 100% certain at this stage was ever started, but has featured for years on the Ward Shrake Vapourware list.

The list contains a number of cartridge numbers which the actual intended title was unknown: Vic-1903, Vic-1934, Vic-1936, Vic-1940.  It was suspected that one of them could have been this game, and another Space Vultures which we also have listed in the archive. Continue reading →

Posted in: Commodore VIC-20, Reviews | Tagged: | Leave a comment

Hellowoon

Posted: , last updated: by Frank Gasking

198? Guido Henkel

Platform: Commodore Vic 20

Hellowoon was a graphic text adventure that was released on the Atari ST and C64 around 1987 by Ariolasoft, and was written by Guido Henkel.

In an interview on Atarilegend.com, Guido reveals that the game went through a number of iterations, and was actually started originally on the Commodore VIC-20. Continue reading →

Posted in: Commodore VIC-20, Reviews | Tagged: | Leave a comment

Doctor Who and the Mines of Terror

Posted: , last updated: by Frank Gasking

1986 Micro Power

Platform: ZX Spectrum 48k

For years I’d thought the Commodore 64 version was never released, when accidently included in an unreleased games feature in Commodore Force magazine. Imagine my surprise in later years when I found an original copy!

ZX Spectrum users sadly have not been as lucky as myself. After waiting patiently and seeing conversions for other platforms come and go, their conversion would never surface at all.

dr who large

The game was previewed in many magazines of the time, all saying that the Spectrum version was coming. The bold adverts featuring a human brain were plastered around too, all teasing with Spectrum format included in the corner. Continue reading →

Posted in: Reviews, ZX Spectrum | Tagged: | 1 Comment

Hidden Treasure

Posted: , last updated: by Frank Gasking

1992 Enigma

Platform: PC

An interesting title that has been flagged up to us thanks to contributor @AnythingAnyth19. This is a title which was created especially for a competition and was in three segments overall.

HiddenTreasure2

We are not sure just yet if this is a competition that never happened, though we haven’t been able to find the game at all in digital archives as of yet. Also, it seems the game and competition was only advertised a few times before disappearing – likely when the competition finished. If the game/s were actually distributed and released, then they may yet need to be preserved. Continue reading →

Posted in: PC, Reviews | Tagged: | Leave a comment

GTW64 January 2022 update

Posted: , last updated: by Frank Gasking

A new year and a new update to the GTW64 archives, with the following new entries and updates – including a bizarre title that may or may not have existed called Vector Chickens.

5 new entries added

Alcatrax, Ironoid, Sight Attack, Tank Division, Vector Chickens

11 updates added

Bamboo, Deathstalker, Jet Boat Simulator, Miner Willy Meets The Taxman, Moses: Old Testament Adventure #1, Murder!, Myth 2: Dawn of Steel, Pirates of the Ocean, The 4th Dimension, The Soul Gem Of Martek, Winter Camp V1

Posted in: GTW64 news, News | Leave a comment

Boulder Dash 3D

Posted: , last updated: by Frank Gasking

1996 Szymon Ulatowski

Platform: Amiga 1200

A short entry for a title highlighted to us by contributor Stefano Castelli. This is an unofficial Boulder Dash clone done within a 3D environment.

Even though you may argue about how well a 3D version of Boulder Dash could work compared to a 2D edition, the game moves at an impressive rate and made its mark on Amiga users when a demo was released.

boulderdash3d 2 large

Although the developer was interviewed in magazines such as Amiga Review, and the game previewed (see scans), a final version was seemingly never completed and only a demo now seems to remain. Continue reading →

Posted in: Commodore Amiga, Reviews | Tagged: | 1 Comment