Atari, the gaming giant from yesteryears, is making waves in 2023 with the surprise announcement of preorders for a physical cartridge designed for its legendary 2600 console. Yes, you read that correctly – a console that saw its prime in 1982 is now offering a fresh game cartridge, titled “Save Mary.”

This isn’t your typical game release story. “Save Mary” is a relic from the golden age of gaming, developed during the 2600’s heyday but left in the shadows until now. The man behind it is Tod Frye, a seasoned Atari staffer renowned for his work on the 2600 version of Pac-Man and the Swordquest series.

What sets “Save Mary” apart from its contemporaries is the time invested in its creation — a whopping two years, which was an eternity in the gaming era predating the NES. Back then, games were often churned out in six to nine months, or even as little as five to six weeks. “Save Mary” remained hidden in the annals of history until its revival.

For $59.99, enthusiasts can pre-order one of these limited 500 cartridges, which comes in a silver collector’s edition box complete with a full-color manual alongside the game itself. A must-have for avid Atari collectors.

Now, let’s talk about the game itself. “Save Mary” puts players in a high-pressure situation: rescuing a damsel named Mary trapped in a rapidly flooding canyon. Gamers must utilize a crane to construct platforms that will aid their escape. Power-ups appear on the cliffsides, reminiscent of Pac-Man, a feature Atari suggests may have been inspired by the iconic game. Atari’s founder, Nolan Bushnell, praised “Save Mary” in a 1989 interview, calling it the “first game where construction, not destruction, saves the princess.“

“Save Mary” joins a growing lineup of recently manufactured Atari 2600 cartridges, including brand-new titles like “Mr. Run and Jump” and previously unreleased “lost” games like “Aquaventure.” These cartridges, part of the Atari XP line, adhere to the exact standards of yesteryear, with some modern upgrades like beveled edges to prevent pin damage and gold-plated connectors. And the best part? You don’t need to dust off an ancient 2600 console to enjoy these games, as Atari now sells an upgraded version known as the “2600+.”