Axlon

Founded in 1983 by Nolan Bushnell [1], Axlon mainly produced robotic toys. [2] But late in the decade, Atari contracted the company to make games for the Atari 2600. Apparently, Bushnell accepted the deal without knowing if anybody on his staff was up to it (the company was hard up for money). [3]

To capitalize on this partnership, Atari placed Bushnell's name and face on the front of boxes and cartridges, "implying that he himself had written the game." But in reality, he "acted more as a producer or designer," while the likes of Steve DeFrisco and Tod Frye did the actual programming. [4]

Later, Axlon "signed a deal with Hasbro to develop an interactive videotape based product" - the NEMO, a VHS-based system. Unfortunately, it was canned in 1989, probably because it would have retailed for about $300 (much higher than the competing NES). [5]

2600

• Motorodeo (US Publisher: Atari)
• Off the Wall (US Publisher: Atari)
• Save Mary (unreleased) (Atari)
• Secret Quest (US Publisher: Atari)
• Shooting Arcade (unreleased) (Atari)

Unknown

• The Adventures of Max (unreleased) (Atari)