Lost SNES Game 'Mechanoids 2 – The Final Conflict' Preserved by Enigma Variations Archivists

The world of retro game preservation has received a significant new entry: the rare and previously unreleased Super Nintendo title, 'Mechanoids 2 – The Final Conflict', developed by the UK-based studio Enigma Variations.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of archivists from Games That Weren't, the game has now been preserved, providing enthusiasts and historians with a unique look at an ambitious side-scrolling beat 'em up that might otherwise have been lost to time. Enigma Variations, an influential UK development studio active through the 1980s and 1990s, initially made its mark on platforms such as the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Amiga, and Atari ST, before branching into Nintendo hardware development.

Known for operating under multiple names—including Dark Technologies and Phoenix Interactive Entertainment—Enigma Variations was deeply involved in the growth of the budget gaming market and later in pitching titles for Nintendo’s platforms, including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). Frank Gasking, founder of Games That Weren't and respected voice in video game preservation, announced the discovery and preservation of ‘Mechanoids 2 – The Final Conflict’ earlier today.

This achievement follows the recent unearthing of unreleased NES versions of notable titles such as Sensible Soccer and Populous.

According to Gasking, this newly preserved game was originally pitched to various publishers in the early ‘90s, but was ultimately shelved and faded into obscurity—until now. The discovery came after Gasking was entrusted with a set of original development disks by former Enigma Variations developers Mark Greenshields and Darren Melbourne.

Using the SNES9X emulator, Gasking successfully accessed two prototype builds, both of which remain fully functional.

The first prototype, dating from 1992, serves as a graphics demonstration.

It showcases two large mech droids traversing a roadway but is non-interactive.

The second build, created several months later, is a short, interactive demo featuring updated mech designs and the ability to battle enemies, offering a tantalizing glimpse at Enigma Variations’ vision for the title. In his report on the Games That Weren't website, Gasking shared that he has yet to uncover any trace of a 'Mechanoids 1', which makes the existence—and naming—of 'Mechanoids 2' all the more intriguing.

Gasking has indicated that the Games That Weren't archive entry will be updated if further information or additional materials surface in the future, keeping hope alive for greater insight into both this title and its mysterious origins. With this preservation effort, the legacy of Enigma Variations and its contributions to Nintendo hardware and SNES history are newly illuminated.

Video game preservationists and retro enthusiasts can now access playable builds of 'Mechanoids 2 – The Final Conflict', ensuring this important example of early 1990s UK game development is not forgotten. For those interested in exploring the preserved prototypes, Games That Weren't has made both builds available for download, offering a rare opportunity to experience a previously lost piece of Nintendo history.

Enigma Variations Nintendo SNES Xbox Series X|S UK Mechanoids 2 – The Final Conflict