Summary
- Square Enix employees found a stash of untouched retro games in an old storage container after over 20 years.
- The discovered collection includes games published by Eidos Interactive, like Tomb Raider, Hitman, and Omikron.
- Among the gems found were Omikron: The Nomad Soul with David Bowie and The Living Daylights James Bond game.
Employees at Square Enix have unexpectedly discovered a hidden trove of untouched retro games in an unlikely place. While best known for its work on the Final Fantasy series, 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 Enix also boasts a rich collection of classic games, many of which it frequently reboots and remakes for new generations of fans to enjoy.
Beyond Final Fantasy, Square Enix has several hit franchises, including Dragon Quest, Octopath Traveler, and Bravely. Both Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest have been credited with revolutionizing RPG storytelling and gameplay mechanics. Additionally, Square Enix continues to revive and reimagine its classics, as seen in Final 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.
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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, including Hard Drivin’, Klax, and Badlands. Alongside the games, employees also uncovered vintage merchandise, such as a Tomb Raider action 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. When Square Enix acquired Eidos in 2009, it gained major franchises like Tomb Raider and Hitman. However, in 2022, Tomb Raider and three of its Western studios were sold to Embracer Group for $300 million.
Among the discovered games was a PC version of Omikron: 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, Omikron features a cameo from David Bowie, who also contributed to its soundtrack.
Another gem buried in the collection was The Living Daylights, a 1987 James Bond title based on the film of the same name, starring the underrated 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.
Square Enix
- Date Founded
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April 1, 2003
- Headquarters
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Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Japan