Lost SEGA Game Gear Port of Alien Olympics Resurfaces After 31 Years
Stock up on AA's and go for gold!
A previously unreleased SEGA Game Gear version of Alien Olympics, developed by Ocean Software in 1994, has been recovered by preservation group Games That Weren’t after being lost for over three decades. The discovery marks the first known evidence of the port’s existence, which was shelved alongside the Game Boy and PC versions’ 1994 launches.
Credit: Games That Weren't
The Game Gear edition, uncovered in a code archive by researcher Frank Gasking, appears complete with all 15 events intact and hints of a two-player linked mode. Originally conceived as a Track & Field-style button-masher set in space, the game pits eight alien athletes in events requiring strategic use of their unique abilities. Unlike the monochrome Game Boy iteration, the Game Gear version leverages the handheld’s colour palette for a visually richer experience, likely sharing code from Richard Naylor, a developer known for Split Personalities (Commodore 64) and The Lion King (NES).
Industry analysts speculate Ocean Software abandoned the Game Gear port due to the platform’s waning relevance by 1994. The Game Boy, with its larger install base, likely took precedence. No references to the Game Gear version exist in period press materials, deepening its obscurity until now.
The recovery, facilitated by contributors Mark Greenshields and Darren Melbourne, underscores the fragility of gaming history. Alien Olympics joins titles like Sonic Crackers and Bio Force Ape as a “lost game” resurrected through archival efforts. Fans of the original releases can now explore this iteration’s nuances, including its untested multiplayer functionality.
The discovery highlights the critical role of preservationists in filling gaps left by corporate archival oversights. For collectors and retro enthusiasts, it offers a glimpse into mid-’90s development trends, where publishers often prioritized platforms asymmetrically. Moving forward, fans should monitor Games That Weren’t for updates on potential ROM releases or deeper dives into the game’s code. You can get the game from here.
Get your weekly gaming fix delivered straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter. For daily updates and community discussions, follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.
