The Nintendo Entertainment System

Unreleased NES Video Games Encyclopedia
The untold story of the NES games that never made it to store shelves.

The untold story of the NES games that never made it to store shelves.

For the first time, this groundbreaking book explores the hidden history of more than 200 unreleased Nintendo Entertainment System games—titles that were announced, previewed in magazines, and even showcased at major trade events like CES, only to vanish without explanation.

Video game historian and YouTuber Chris Bores (The IRATE Gamer) investigates what happened to these long-lost projects and why they were ultimately canceled. The stories range from the surprising to the unbelievable, including Nintendo-developed concepts aimed at new audiences, unreleased entries in iconic franchises like Mario and Donkey Kong, and a planned line of NES games intended exclusively for adults.

Some of these games have since resurfaced, others exist only in the hands of private collectors, and many are considered permanently lost. Wherever possible, Bores has compiled every known screenshot, meticulously digitally enhanced to reveal details invisible in their original print form.

Packed with rare imagery, deep research, and behind-the-scenes insight, this is an essential volume for NES fans, retro gaming collectors, and anyone fascinated by video game history’s greatest “what ifs.”

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