Top 12 Surprising Treasures: Unearthing Unexpected Discoveries
1. Atari’s “E.T.” Video Games Unearthed from New Mexico Landfill
Atari's E.T. Video Game Discovery Location: Alamogordo, New Mexico Year Found: 2014 Estimated Value: $5–$10 million* The story of Atari's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial video game is filled with intrigue and unexpected turns. In the fall of 1983, Atari realized that the game was a significant failure, leading to a massive surplus of unsold inventory. In a desperate move to manage this excess, the company covertly buried a large portion of the stock in a landfill in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
In 2014, this shocking chapter of video game history took a turn when the buried cartridges were unearthed, revealing their estimated value of $5 to $10 million. This discovery not only highlighted the infamous legacy of the E.T. game but also sparked renewed interest in the history of video gaming.
Atari's E.T. Video Games Unearthed from New Mexico Landfill Source: Wikipedia
The E.T. video game by Atari was initially perceived as a minor setback, but it soon became the subject of urban legends surrounding the so-called "Atari Dump." For years, many believed this tale to be just a myth—until 2014, when an investigation in Alamogordo confirmed the authenticity of the Atari Dump.
Instead of attempting to sell millions of copies of the poorly received game, Atari's decision to bury them in the New Mexico desert turned out to be a drastic yet ultimately necessary measure. This revelation not only validated the urban legend but also highlighted the extent of the game's failure and its impact on the video game industry.
