In 1982, Atari released a game based on the Steven Spielberg movie "E.T."

Knowing that a game based on the most popular movie of all time (later surpassed by "Star Wars" and "Titanic") could not possibly fail, Atari executives did not budget the time or money into making a good game. They had a sure hit on their hands and that was all that mattered.

While "E.T." the movie is remembered as one of the greatest box office triumphs of all time, "E.T." the game is notable as one of video gaming's greatest debacles. The public didn't bite, and millions of copies of Atari's errant "E.T." cartridges ended up buried in a landfill.