As the holiday season rolls in, the warmth of nostalgia for the classic game Marathon ignites my spirit. The year was 1994, and the arrival of a new Macintosh LCIII in my family marked the beginning of what would become a long-lasting infatuation. Amidst the glossy pages of MacMall and MacZone, the tiny image of a game named "Marathon" sparked a curiosity that has lasted for decades. Through impromptu decisions, like the purchase of Marathon 2 during a mundane family furniture shopping trip in Nebraska, to the bundled treasure of Marathon Infinity with a new Mac, my journey with Marathon has been nothing short of destiny.
In 2006, an opportunity I could not have imagined surfaced: bringing Marathon to the console world with the Xbox 360. Despite facing questions about my choice to focus on Marathon 2, the chance to revitalize this beloved franchise was irresistible. Alas, there lingered a trace of guilt for seemingly overlooking its predecessor, Marathon 1. However, Marathon: Durandal's release in 2007 for Xbox LIVE Arcade marked not only a personal achievement but also the game's groundbreaking transition from computer to console. But a nagging curiosity endured - had Marathon already ventured into the console zone before?
Whispers of a game called "Super Marathon," a combination of the first two Marathon games for a console, fueled a new quest. Despite the occasional appearance on eBay, this elusive title seemed to vanish as quickly as it appeared. This led to a heightened search involving reaching out to former Bungie employees and delving into the realms of classic game communities like Digitpress and Assembler Games.
It was during these quests that I stumbled upon the Apple Pippin, Apple's modest foray into the console market. This piece of history remained unbeknownst to many, including myself. Yet it was on this very console that Super Marathon existed. With the aid of the Digitpress community, I obtained a Pippin and verified a copied disc of Super Marathon. But this was not the end—my commitment to experiencing the game authentically was unwavering.
Fortune smiled upon me at WWDC when a former Bungie colleague gifted me a sealed, original copy of Super Marathon. This treasure, which holds immeasurable personal value, was finally in my hands, ensuring an opportunity to engage with the game as it was meant to be experienced on the Apple Pippin.
The gameplay on the Pippin, however, was not without its quirks. Marathon 1 revealed the technical limitations of running high graphics settings, while Marathon 2 made me question the integrity of the levels, as they differed from what I remembered. Despite glitches and hurdles, such as the corrupted save files and puzzling gameplay elements, my resolve remains. The opportunity to conquer these games is a challenge eagerly anticipated for another day.
While maintaining the authenticity of the original experience is important, it's worth mentioning that Marathon thrives on modern consoles too. Adventure seekers and nostalgia enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the world of Marathon on the Xbox 360 with Marathon: Durandal. For those interested, I extend an invitation for cooperative play or an adrenaline-fueled deathmatch. The beauty of Marathon endures through each iteration, inviting players old and new to partake in its timeless legacy.