Making a video game on any platform takes a lot of work, and even once a game is finished, it’s still not immune to delays (see: Duke Nukem Forever, LA Black And Diablo III.) A group of Italian programmers had to wait 22 years to finally see the release of their fantasy hack ‘n slasher Kien for the Game Boy Advance (GBA) — a console that last went into production in 2009. It is probably the most delayed game in history, according to an article in The guard.
Kien began its long development in 2002. A small group of Italian programmers formed AgeOfGames, the first company in the country to begin production of a GBA title. Two years later, they had a finished product, but the game never made it to store shelves because the publisher deemed it too risky to release.
In the meantime, AgeOfGames switched to making educational games to stay in business, and the GBA’s life cycle came and went. Then the retro gaming boom gave the Italian studio a chance: a new publisher specialized in classic console games, incube8 Games, showed interest. Now Kien is available as a cartridge and can be played on the original hardware.
Retro gaming is big business these days and more accessible than ever. There are all sorts of new consoles designed to play hundreds of thousands of different titles from the past. The iPhone finally started allowing apps that emulate all sorts of classic consoles into its online stores earlier this year. There’s even been a renaissance of new games with old-school graphics. You’re never far from the games and experiences that defined your childhood.
Kien is available for purchase on the incube8 website for the (somewhat shocking) price of $60.