E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in video games

Starting with the release of the film in 1982 and its susbsequent 20th anniversary re-release, "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" has been the subject of video games across several platforms and genres.

1982-1983

"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (Atari, 1982)

Atari Inc. made an Atari 2600 game that was based on the film. Despite the popularity of the film, the game was widely considered to be one of the worst games ever. Along with the Atari 2600 port of "Pac-Man", the movie game is often blamed for the video game crash of 1983.

"E.T. Phone Home!" (Atari 1983)

Released for the Atari 8-bit family of computers in 1983, in this game [ [http://www.mobygames.com/game/et-phone-home E.T. Phone Home! for Atari 8-bit - MobyGames] ] , you play as Elliot. You have to search your neighborhood for pieces that E.T. wants to build his transmitter. Depending on the level, you may or may not need all the pieces to complete the game. It's also possible to communicate "telepathically" with E.T. to get a reminder of which pieces he is looking for.

As Elliot looks for the pieces, he is pursued by a number of men who are trying to stop him from completing his task. The game ends when Elliot gets enough of the pieces.

2001

"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (2001)

Released for the Game Boy Advance on December 14, 2001. You must save him from the government agents, scientists and law enforcement officers that are trying to catch him, while attempting to assemble a transmitter that will allow E.T. to "phone home".

"E.T.: Digital Companion" (2001)

Released for the GameBoy Color on October 18, 2001. This cartridge is designed to turn the Game Boy Color handheld into a child-friendly personal digital assistant. The "E.T.: Digital Planner" features an address book, a calendar, a clock, and a "To-Do" list, all presented in a theme inspired by the hugely popular 1982 film. The software also contains five mini games, including the opportunity to care for a "Flopgopple" virtual pet. Kids can protect their personal information with a password or print it out on the Nintendo Game Boy Printer.

"E.T.: Escape from Planet Earth" (2001)

Your mission is to construct a communicator so that E.T. can phone home. You must search 60 environments for all the components needed to build the transmitter. All the while, you have to evade capture by government agents and avoid the clever traps they've set for you.

You can alternate playing as the strategic-minded Elliott or as E.T., whose extraordinary powers, including levitation, can help you out of the many tricky situations you'll confront. This single-player game features three levels of difficulty and three modes of gameplay: exploration, quest, and encounter. Six large maps with 10 environments and 45 miniquests that unlock hidden items you can trade later.

2002

"E.T.: Interplanetary Mission" (2002)

Released March 28, 2002 for PC and Sony PlayStation. E.T. is on a mission to save the universe, that will take you to alien planets with rare and exotic plant species. Journey to the Green Planet, Ice Planet, Desert Planet, Planet Metropolis and Earth. Play and puzzle through 15 levels and battle alien enemies. Uncover these special plants and use E.T.'s glowing finger, telepathy, heart stun, and more to heal them. Listen as they sing back to you in thanks. Travel across 25 new exciting game levels where you will explore & accomplish missions.

"E.T.: Cosmic Garden" (2002)

Released for the Game Boy Color in 2002, "E.T. Cosmic Garden" is a real-time adventure where you travel to six planets populated by exotic, weird, and wild plants. you Gather these rare and wonderful plants for the spaceship's greenhouse and fulfill E.T.'s original mission by replanting and restoring the Cosmic Garden. Growing a healthy garden requires E.T. and his assistants, Space Bee and Space Slug, to maintain proper amounts of food, water, and light, and to protect these special species from a host of intergalactic pests, including space beetles, fungus, and harmful celestial events, such as a prolonged eclipse. E.T. can use his special telekinesis powers to control the pests.

Features 12 levels and seven environments. You can create more than 60 plants, each with unique personalities and abilities--they sing, jump, generate electricity, and more. Beat the game and you'll unlock the never-ending Prize Garden.

"E.T.: Intergalactic Mission" (2002)

"E.T. Away From Home" (2002)

"E.T. Phone Home Adventure" (2002)

"E.T.: Return to the Green Planet" (2002)

References