Elite Set to Revive Lost Classic 'Scooby Doo In The Castle Mystery' for Modern and Retro Platforms

Elite, a renowned British publisher with a storied history in the video game industry, is embarking on an ambitious project to revive one of its most elusive titles: 'Scooby Doo In The Castle Mystery.' Originally designed in the mid-1980s, this game was scheduled for release on classic 8-bit platforms such as the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and Amstrad CPC.

Marketed at the time as "the first-ever computer cartoon," the project was lauded for its vision but ultimately shelved due to hardware limitations of the era. Back in 1985, 'Scooby Doo In The Castle Mystery' was celebrated as a highly ambitious undertaking that aimed to push the technical boundaries of home computers.

Despite its innovative concept and visually impressive graphics, the development team faced insurmountable challenges.

According to statements from Elite, the 48K hardware of the ZX Spectrum and similar systems simply could not accommodate the complex animations, sound effects, and code in tandem.

Contemporary reports, notably from Sinclair User magazine, described the prototype as visually remarkable but criticized the gameplay as lacking due to memory constraints.

The resulting decision was to archive the unfinished project and shift focus.

Instead, Elite commissioned Gargoyle Games to develop a more traditional Scooby Doo platformer, which launched in late 1986. Decades later, company director and co-founder Steve Wilcox is determined to bring the lost title to completion.

Partial prototypes and portions of the original code have survived, and key members of the initial development team—Jon Harrison, Richard Wilcox, and Andy Williams—are set to contribute to the project’s revival.

As Steve Wilcox explained, today’s retro gaming scene offers a unique opportunity to restore, complete, and unveil the game to audiences worldwide.

The plan is to release the finished product not only on the originally intended ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and Amstrad CPC hardware, but also across modern platforms such as PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and smartphones. Elite has begun the search for publishing partners willing to support the completion and release of 'Scooby Doo In The Castle Mystery.' One essential step in this process will be reacquiring the Scooby Doo license, which is currently managed by Hanna-Barbera, now part of Warner Bros.

Animation.

With the combined efforts of the original creative team and the enthusiasm of a new generation of retro gaming fans, the prospects for this once-lost classic have never been brighter. This revival underscores the enduring appeal of vintage games and the ongoing interest in uncovering and finishing previously unreleased projects.

For fans of both retro and contemporary gaming, the return of 'Scooby Doo In The Castle Mystery' marks an exciting chapter in the ongoing legacy of Elite and the storied Scooby Doo franchise.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo PlayStation PC Xbox Switch ZX Spectrum Commodore Commodore 64 Amstrad CPC Amstrad Spectrum Elite Scooby Doo In The Castle Mystery Jon Harrison Richard Wilcox Andy Williams Hanna-Barbera Warner Bros. Animation