Last Chance to Grab Bill & Ted’s Excellent Retro Collection Before Delisting
Gamers have one last chance to grab a retro video game collection that is soon going to be delisted from digital storefronts. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Retro Collection, inspired by the Bill & Ted movies and featuring two old-school titles, will no longer be available for purchase after January 1, 2024. This article discusses the background of the collection, the reasons for its delisting, and the broader implications for video game preservation.
The Story of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Retro Collection
Gamers have one last chance to grab a retro video game collection that is soon going to be delisted from digital storefronts. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Retro Collection is about to be delisted on the Nintendo Switch’s eShop and PlayStation storefront just ten months after its release. The collection was inspired by the Bill & Ted movies that stars the beloved actor Keanu Reeves, who is also known for his roles in movies such as The Matrix and John Wick. Reeves is also famous in the video game world for his portrayal in Cyberpunk 2077 as Johnny Silverhand, a disastrous rock star who takes up lodging in V’s head after a failed heist.
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Retro Collection was released on February 17, 2023, by publisher Limited Run Games and combined two old-school titles - Bill & Ted’s Excellent Video Game Adventure and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Portable Adventure. Both titles were originally released on Nintendo’s platforms, with Bill & Ted’s Excellent Video Game Adventure being an NES exclusive, while Bill & Ted’s Excellent Portable Adventure was for the Nintendo Game Boy.
Now, fans of the Bill & Ted movies have one last chance to grab the retro game collection before it is officially gone from the Nintendo eShop and the PlayStation Store on January 1, 2024. Josh Fairhurst, the CEO of Limited Run Games, confirmed the delisting on Twitter and stated that it was because the IP licensing was expiring. According to Fairhurst, the company had access to the Bill & Ted licensing for two years, which also included the development time, which was “longer than anticipated.” While players will no longer be able to purchase the collection from the digital storefronts, those who already have access to the title can redownload it at any time.
Games in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Retro Collection
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Video Game Adventure (Originally released for the NES)
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Portable Adventure (Originally released for the Nintendo Game Boy)
Twitter article posted by Josh Fairhurst
The Implications of Delisting and Preservation of Video Games
In the digital age era, video games being delisted from online stores is nothing new, but it does spark a conversation about the preservation of video games. Besides this clearance sale, Limited Run Game’s annual New Year sale has been moved to March instead of January to help with shipping.
Additionally, Fairhurst also said that several other titles were being delisted as well due to the IP licensing expiring but did not confirm the specific ones. Gamers have one last chance to get several Limited Run Games from franchises like Turok, Scott Pilgrim, and Star Wars. According to the company’s Twitter, the Limited Run Games storefront will be offering discounts by dropping prices by 10% every day until December 31st, meaning players can get some of these titles for half off.
The delisting of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Retro Collection and other titles due to IP licensing expiration raises concerns about the accessibility and preservation of video games. As digital storefronts continue to remove titles due to licensing issues, the availability of classic and niche games becomes uncertain. This situation emphasizes the importance of preserving video game history and the need for comprehensive archiving and preservation efforts.
The move to delist several games also highlights the impact of IP licensing on the availability of digital content. As companies face expiration of licensing agreements, beloved titles may become unavailable for purchase, leading to a loss of access to cultural artifacts and entertainment experiences. The implications of delisting go beyond individual titles and prompt discussions about the long-term accessibility and preservation of gaming heritage.
The Countdown to the Last Chance for Gamers
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Retro Collection has sparked excitement and concern among gamers as its delisting date approaches. The limited availability of the collection has prompted fans to secure their copies before they vanish from digital storefronts. With the announcement of discounts and the gradual reduction of prices, players are eager to take advantage of the last opportunity to own these retro titles.
As January 1, 2024, draws nearer, the gaming community is abuzz with discussions about the significance of preserving classic games and the impact of IP licensing on digital content. The countdown to the last chance for gamers to acquire Bill & Ted’s Excellent Retro Collection serves as a reminder of the transient nature of digital storefronts and the importance of efforts to safeguard gaming history.
The impending delisting of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Retro Collection is a call to action for gamers and preservationists alike. It signals the urgency of preserving and archiving video games to ensure that future generations can experience the cultural and nostalgic value of these digital artifacts. While the collection's delisting marks the end of an era, it also ignites conversations about the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the realm of video game preservation.
