Summary
Employees atSquare Enixhave unexpectedly discovered a hidden trove of untouched retro games in an unlikely place. While best known for its work on theFinal Fantasyseries, the company has also created numerous other beloved titles. The Japanese studio is known for its deep storytelling, emotional character arcs, and cinematic presentation, primarily in the arena of modern RPGs. However,Square Enixalso boasts a rich collection of classic games, many of which it frequently reboots and remakes for new generations of fans to enjoy.
BeyondFinal Fantasy,Square Enix has several hit franchises, includingDragon Quest,Octopath Traveler, andBravely. BothFinal FantasyandDragon Questhave been credited with revolutionizing RPG storytelling and gameplay mechanics. Additionally, Square Enix continues to revive and reimagine its classics, as seen inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, which expands the original’s narrative while introducing an overhauled combat system. Given its deep connection with retro games, the discovery of a bunch of old-school titles by its staff does make some sense.
As revealed by Lee Singleton on LinkedIn, a cache of pristine retro games was discovered inside an old storage container that had been sealed for over 20 years. The container, located in an off-site storage facility, held a bounty of classic titles, includingHard Drivin',Klax, andBadlands. Alongside the games, employees also uncovered vintage merchandise, such as aTomb Raideraction figure. Singleton noted that employees were invited to take anything they wanted, but after his post gained attention, the National Videogame Museum reached out, suggesting they could be the perfect home for the historic collection.
Square Enix Staff Find Massive Cache of Retro Games in 20 Year Old Container
Many of the games found in the container were published by Domark Limited and its successor, Eidos Interactive. WhenSquare Enix acquired Eidos in 2009, it gained major franchises likeTomb RaiderandHitman. However, in 2022,Tomb Raiderand three of its Western studios were sold to Embracer Group for $300 million.
Among the discovered games was a PC version ofOmikron: The Nomad Soul, a cult classic developed by Quantic Dream. Despite mostly positive reviews, the game struggled with sales in the U.S., leading to the cancelation of a planned sequel. Notably,Omikronfeatures a cameo from David Bowie, who also contributed to its soundtrack.
Another gem buried in the collection wasThe Living Daylights, a 1987 James Bond title based on the film of the same name, starring theunderrated Timothy Dalton as 007. While the final destination for the bevy of retro games and merchandise remains uncertain, the discovery serves as a reminder that gaming history can resurface in the most unexpected places.
