It’s such a welcome treat when a new or previously unpublished games gets put on a cartridge and released for retro consoles.
Just recently while browsing Sega-16.com I found out about a game called ‘It came from the Desert’ which was once slated for release on the Genesis/Mega Drive but was subsequently canceled. And now 24 years later it’s threatening to arrive!
We’ve had this treatment before with the Genesis and it’s very exciting every time.
Retail Release coming soon.
I rushed over to cinemaware.com to purchase a copy. …but they’re not ready yet to take pre-orders. The good news is (if you caught this post recently) we’re all in time to get a copy. From the link above you can sign-up to be notified when Cinemaware is ready to take your pre-order.
The release date is set for the 2014 Holiday season; which is not that far off. In fact it’s close enough that I’m surprised that they’re not taking pre-orders now. Fingers crossed that they can hit their release date!
Looks very promising!
For me personally I was extra excited about this release when I found out that Watermelon will be involved. I don’t have many details about the extent of their involvement but I believe they are helping with the physical packaging of ‘It came from the Desert’. Through my experience with Pier Solar I know that Watermelon puts a lot of effort into making a quality product and I’m hoping this will extend to Cinemaware’s effort.
Below are some cool details about the Genesis version that we might finally get our hands on:
Source Wikipedia
“A Sega Genesis/Mega Drive version was to be released in 1990, but was canceled. It is an overhead shooter with the main protagonist running around on foot, although it features more free roaming gameplay than traditional scrolling shooters. Among the differences in play mechanics, the Sega version allowed the player to create powerups that were fashioned by collecting machinery pieces and joining them together in different combinations. The storyline also differs from the game, instead casting the player not as the scientist from the original but as a teenage pest control worker known as Buzz who makes a variety of improvisational weapons with various materials combined with his pest control equipment.
Although the Sega version was never actually offered for sale, it was distributed as a ROM image (for use with console emulators) from the Cinemaware website after the turn of the 21st century. Despite the similarity of camera perspective, the Sega version did not appear to reuse any of the graphical elements created for use in the computer-based versions.”
Retro Megabit 
Oh, MAN… this game is old! It was on the Amiga (and got an “enhanced” port to the Turbografx 16):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Came_from_the_Desert – history!
I need to get this, as I wasn’t much into the TG-16 version thanks to the load times and crummy FMV. I never had an Amiga, but it’s clearly the winner over the Turbo version. Anyway, thanks for the update – going to sign up on that Cinemaware sight right now!
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That’s what I like to hear 🙂 I hope there are many people as enthused about this game as we are. I really want to promote cartridge releases like this.
I read that there was an Amiga version (the original?) but it looks like the Genesis version is a very different game. I’ve read that it’s hard which could be OK. And it does look like a good action game.
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Yeah, this version coming looks a LOT different than the original and TG-16 versions in terms of the gameplay. It looks as if it’s all action, whereas the others had point & click sections, some side-scrolling bits and what looks like more of a storyline. Funny, now I’m thinking of (Todd’s Adventures in) Slime World on the Genesis mixed with something like Alien 3 or Skeleton Krew. Anyway, I can’t wait to see how this turns out. It definitely looks great. I have the feeling it’ll sell out VERY quickly.
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I do remember seeing this game on ebay from time to time in bootleg/reproduction form but I never really looked close for whatever reason. At the time had I known it was an ‘almost’ official release I think I would have bought it but now I’ll be waiting for the full product from cinemaware.
I like that it’s more of an action game. Makes it feel more at home on the Genesis. And I also noticed that it seems to have a story as you progress through the game; which is great!
And I think you’re right. This will be one of those games that will sell out fast and then be hard to find later. I think I might buy more than one and try to trade for Super Fighter Teams Beggar Prince that I missed out on.
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Hmmm. That just may work, but I guess it’s up to finding a copy of BP that’s complete in nice shape and not overpriced. Heh- maybe I’ll be SUPER lazy and trade you for something here for a copy of that new game, lol.
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I’m listening 😀 You’ve got some real gems in your collection. If you think of any game that you’re willing to part with and trade for ICFTD consider it a done deal! We don’t yet know the cost of ICFTD so lets make sure this trade is fair to you. I’m guessing that ICFTD will be around $60 USD.
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Heh. I was kind of kidding there, but let’s indeed see what happens 😀
I think I still have that list you sent me via email recently and I’m not averse to trades at all if both parties are dancing around the room at the end of the day. Amusingly enough, I believe I passed up a trade for either Beggar Prince or Legend of Wukong some years back before I knew they’d be so hard to get as cart/box/manual versions. I’d imagine ICFTD will get enough copies made to go around, but I re-read the site and they seem to be placing an emphasis on collectors with a line noting how limited the print run will be. I kind of hope that if it sells out it gets redone like Pier Solar got a few editions, but we’ll find out soon enough… 😀
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Reblogged this on "DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" and commented:
Yup, I’d have to say that this came as a surprise to me, as I’d only heard of the Amiga and TG-16 versions until now. yeah, I need to pay more attention to Wikipedia, I suppose.
Anyway, Color me thrilled that there’s a “new” Genesis game on the way and from the looks of it, a really good one. Thanks to the SegaDude for unearthing this awesome news.
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I’m sure Cinemaware is just trying to get us all worked up and excited. You just know they want to sell as many copies as possible. And I can’t blame them for that. I also hope they end up having to make a second run/print of the game!
And if you change your mind about trading just let me know. I’m ready to assimilate your Genesis collection at a moments notice! 😛
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Oh, I didn’t say no to that trade, lol. I’ll need to look over that list again and see what I can part with. I know it’s going to a good home, that’s for sure!
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