Apple’s Unreleased Tetris Clone Discovered in a Hidden iPod Prototype

In a fascinating discovery, the renowned YouTuber Apple Demo stumbled upon a prototype of the third-generation iPod. What makes this find even more intriguing is the fact that this prototype contains a game called Stacker, which never made it to the retail models. Alongside Apple’s own version of Tetris, the engineering sample iPod also held other unreleased titles, including Block0 and Klondike games, as highlighted by Engadget.

Upon closer inspection, one notices a “DVT” (Design Validation Testing) label etched on the back of the prototype iPod, replacing the standard storage capacity label. This label indicates that the device was from the middle stage of development. Further examination revealed two songs still stored on the device and a playlist aptly named “Battery Testing.” This suggests that this specific iPod prototype was utilized for rigorous battery testing protocols.

After tinkering with the prototype and transplanting the internal hard disk into a second-generation iPod, Apple Demo managed to successfully boot the hard disk. Among the several games available, Apple Demo chose to demo Stacker. Intrigued by the mystery surrounding the Tetris clone’s omission from the retail models, Apple Demo reached out to Tony Fadell, the former Senior Vice President of Apple’s iPod division.

However, Fadell’s response, dating back to 2022, shed little light on the matter. He simply stated, “Because we added games with later software release,” leaving the internal story of Stacker in the realm of speculation and uncertainty. It is worth noting, though, that Apple did eventually release a licensed Tetris game for the “Classic” iPod models, which enabled users to purchase and play new game titles directly from the iTunes Store.

Now, let’s delve into the gameplay of Stacker. Just like Tetris, Stacker utilizes the iPod’s iconic click wheel interface. Players can move falling blocks left and right by rotating the click wheel, while the center button is used to drop the blocks to the bottom of the screen. The objective of Stacker aligns with Tetris: achieve a high score by completing and clearing lines of bricks, without overstacking and causing pieces to overflow from the top.

Although Stacker is not entirely polished, as evidenced by a bug showcased in the video where a brick overlapped a stack and became stuck upon rotation, it undeniably demonstrates its playable functionality. The excitement surrounding this discovery lies in the fact that this game, despite its imperfections, remained hidden from the public eye for years.

Adding my own insights to this unique find, it is fascinating to consider the implications of the unreleased games found on this prototype iPod. These games were developed, tested, and made ready for release, yet circumstances led to their exclusion in the final retail models. Perhaps they did not meet Apple’s strict quality standards, or perhaps other marketing considerations played a role in their omission.

Moreover, the discovery of Stacker and other unreleased games provides a glimpse into the iterative nature of product development. Apple’s constant pursuit of innovation and improvement is evident in their decision to include games with later software release, ultimately enhancing the user experience. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to consistently refining and enhancing their products, even after their initial release.

In conclusion, the discovery of a prototype third-generation iPod containing the unreleased game Stacker has sparked widespread interest and intrigue. Apple Demo’s investigation into the significance of this find, coupled with Tony Fadell’s enigmatic response, leaves us with unanswered questions regarding the internal story of Stacker. Nevertheless, this discovery sheds light on the iterative nature of product development and highlights Apple’s commitment to continuously improving and refining their products. The gameplay of Stacker, despite its imperfections, showcases the potential functionality and enjoyment that could have been experienced by iPod users years ago.



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