Summary: Atari: Game Over is a 2014 documentary film that explores the urban legend surrounding the burial of millions of unsold Atari 2600 game cartridges, including the infamously bad E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial game, in a landfill in Alamogordo, New Mexico in 1983. The film follows the excavation of the landfill in 2014, which confirmed the existence of the buried Atari games, providing insight into the video game industry's crash in the early 1980s and the downfall of Atari as a company. The documentary also delves into the cultural impact and lasting legacy of the E.T. game, which is widely considered one of the worst video games ever made.
Why Watch:
🎮 Gamers and video game enthusiasts: This film offers a fascinating look into a pivotal moment in the history of the video game industry, providing valuable insights into the factors that contributed to the industry's crash and the lasting impact of the E.T. game's failure.
🎥 Documentary fans: Atari: Game Over is a well-crafted documentary that combines archival footage, interviews, and the dramatic excavation of the landfill to tell a compelling story about the rise and fall of a gaming giant.
🧠 History buffs: The film provides a unique perspective on the cultural and economic factors that shaped the video game industry in the 1980s, making it an interesting watch for those interested in the history of technology and popular culture.