A rare prototype of the third-generation iPod featuring an unreleased game called Stacker was recently discovered by the YouTube channel Apple Demo. Stacker, reminiscent of Tetris, was never included in the final public release.
Unreleased Games and Prototype Details
In addition to Stacker, this engineering iPod sample contained other unreleased games such as Block0 and Klondike, as noted by Engadget. The prototype bore a “DVT” (Design Validation Testing) label on its back, indicating mid-development status, according to Apple Demo. The device also included two songs and a playlist labeled “Battery Test,” likely used for battery life assessments.
Initially, the iPod was non-functional, but Apple Demo managed to revive it by converting its internal hard drive into a working second-generation iPod.
Gameplay and Developer Insights
Among the available games, Apple Demo showcased only Stacker, which operates similarly to Tetris. The channel reached out to Tony Fadell, former Senior Vice President of Apple's iPod division, to uncover why Stacker was omitted from the final product. Fadell’s response in 2022 was vague, stating, “we added games with later software release,” leaving the exact reason for Stacker’s exclusion unknown.
Years later, Apple did introduce a licensed Tetris game for the “Classic” iPod models, allowing users to purchase additional games through the iTunes Store.
Stacker's Mechanics and Bugs
Stacker utilized the iPod’s click wheel for gameplay. Players could maneuver falling blocks left and right, with the center button enabling an instant drop. Much like Tetris, the objective was to score points by completing and clearing lines of bricks, preventing a pile-up from reaching the top of the screen.
Although the game was mostly functional, it contained a bug where a rotated brick could overlap another and get stuck, but it still operated as intended.
