The late 1990s marked a significant era for licensed video games, with many TV shows making the leap to home consoles.
Among these was the planned PlayStation game, 'Beavis and Butt-Head Do Hollywood,' a project now at the center of renewed interest following the release of four prototype builds by the video game preservation group Hidden Palace. 'Beavis and Butt-Head'—created by Mike Judge—was a cultural phenomenon in the '90s, with its influence felt across MTV's hit television series, feature film, and a suite of video games for platforms like the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, Game Gear, and Game Boy.
The anticipated follow-up, 'Beavis and Butt-Head Do Hollywood,' was being developed by New Level Software for the original PlayStation, aiming to bring the irreverent duo to Sony's hardware. The title's existence was first acknowledged in a 1999 preview feature in Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) magazine, after which it faded from public view.
Thanks to Hidden Palace's archival work, four distinct prototype builds are now available, offering unprecedented insight into the game's development phase.
These prototypes illustrate New Level Software’s ambition to expand the franchise within 3D environments, leveraging the strengths of the PS1 platform. According to Hidden Palace, Mike Judge provided initial approval for basic 'storyboards and concepts' of the game, but he was minimally involved in further development.
A source connected with the project recounted a rather tepid meeting at MTV's New York offices, stating via Hidden Palace that, "The writers didn’t seem very engaged.
They met us during their lunch break, kept conversation brief, and were primarily interested in their free lunch." Production on 'Beavis and Butt-Head Do Hollywood' ultimately ground to a halt when New Level Software shifted its resources to pursue the sought-after Spider-Man license, which had recently been acquired by Activision.
Despite the studio’s efforts, their pitch did not succeed and New Level Software closed its doors in 1998, with the game only about 40% complete at the time. The release of these prototypes by Hidden Palace is a valuable contribution to video game history, offering players and researchers a rare glimpse into a shelved addition to the 'Beavis and Butt-Head' legacy and the turbulent lifecycle of '90s game development.
The prototypes are now accessible for preservation and analysis, further highlighting the importance of archival communities in the gaming world.
Among these was the planned PlayStation game, 'Beavis and Butt-Head Do Hollywood,' a project now at the center of renewed interest following the release of four prototype builds by the video game preservation group Hidden Palace. 'Beavis and Butt-Head'—created by Mike Judge—was a cultural phenomenon in the '90s, with its influence felt across MTV's hit television series, feature film, and a suite of video games for platforms like the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, Game Gear, and Game Boy.
The anticipated follow-up, 'Beavis and Butt-Head Do Hollywood,' was being developed by New Level Software for the original PlayStation, aiming to bring the irreverent duo to Sony's hardware. The title's existence was first acknowledged in a 1999 preview feature in Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) magazine, after which it faded from public view.
Thanks to Hidden Palace's archival work, four distinct prototype builds are now available, offering unprecedented insight into the game's development phase.
These prototypes illustrate New Level Software’s ambition to expand the franchise within 3D environments, leveraging the strengths of the PS1 platform. According to Hidden Palace, Mike Judge provided initial approval for basic 'storyboards and concepts' of the game, but he was minimally involved in further development.
A source connected with the project recounted a rather tepid meeting at MTV's New York offices, stating via Hidden Palace that, "The writers didn’t seem very engaged.
They met us during their lunch break, kept conversation brief, and were primarily interested in their free lunch." Production on 'Beavis and Butt-Head Do Hollywood' ultimately ground to a halt when New Level Software shifted its resources to pursue the sought-after Spider-Man license, which had recently been acquired by Activision.
Despite the studio’s efforts, their pitch did not succeed and New Level Software closed its doors in 1998, with the game only about 40% complete at the time. The release of these prototypes by Hidden Palace is a valuable contribution to video game history, offering players and researchers a rare glimpse into a shelved addition to the 'Beavis and Butt-Head' legacy and the turbulent lifecycle of '90s game development.
The prototypes are now accessible for preservation and analysis, further highlighting the importance of archival communities in the gaming world.
