Creating a video game on any platform is a lot of work, and even if a game is finished, it’s still not immune to delays (see: Duke Nukem Forever, LA Noire And Diablo III.) A group of Italian programmers had to wait 22 years to finally see the release of their fantastic hack ‘n slasher Kien for the Game Boy Advance (GBA) — a console whose last units went into production in 2009. It’s probably the most delayed game in history, according to an article by The Guardian.
Kien began its long development in 2002. A small group of Italian programmers was formed Age of gamesthe first company in the country to start production of a GBA title. Two years later, they had a finished product, but the game was never released because its publisher deemed its release to be too financially risky.
In the meantime, AgeOfGames turned to creating educational games to stay in business, and the GBA’s lifecycle came and went. Then the retro gaming boom gave the Italian studio an opportunity: a new publisher specializing in classic console games, incube8 gamesgot interested. Now Kien is available in cartridge formand playable on original hardware.
Retro gaming in general is big business these days and more accessible than ever. all kinds of new consoles Built to play hundreds of thousands of different titles from yesteryear, the iPhone finally started allowing apps that emulate all sorts of classic consoles in its online stores earlier this year. There’s even a renaissance of new games that use old-school graphics. You’re never far from the games and experiences that defined your childhood.
Kien is available for purchase from the incube8 website for the (only slightly shocking) price of $60.