What happened to the ipod click wheel games in iTunes?

I don't work for Apple. These are user-to-user support forums.

If the games are on your iPod classic, and working there, then using File > Transfer Purchases from iPod should restore them to your iTunes library, but perhaps that isn't quite what you meant by "they still exist on the iPod". If your backups only go back to January 2012 then you weren't backing up your library when you purchased the games.

Not too long ago all iTunes purchases were made on a one-time only download basis. If you lose or damage a real CD you don't go back to the store to demand a replacement. While I might wish that Apple hadn't withdrawn clickwheel games, or that they would include them in the on-demand policy now introduced for most other media and software, the facts are what they are. The one-time only policy still applies to audiobooks, certain movies, and not-withstanding the current arrangements, any individual product may be permanently removed from the iTunes store, at any time, on the whim of the copyright holder. In short, you need to arrange and maintain adequate backups of any data you don't wish to lose, and that applies to all your data, not just your iTunes library.

iCloud backup relates to iOS devices only, not iPods that are capable of running clickwheel games, so I don't think that is relevant. I don't know what particular set of circumstances caused you to lose your games, but if they were properly backed up you could have restored them. I don't know how you've approached the problem with iTunes store support staff, but while they may be sympathetic there may simply be nothing they can do. Given that the games are no longer on offer in the store the mechanisms that might have allowed them to be regranted in the past have probably been removed.

The crux of the issue is that you've lost access to something you once purchased, and have no way to restore it. It is unfortunate but that is what sometimes happens. People lose or break things every day. Be angry with Apple if it helps you feel better, but ultimately the responsibilty is yours.

tt2

I just noticed my games are missing as well. I am feeling ripped off after reading this thread. I know I did not delete them. Which only makes me believe Apple had them removed from my library with an iTunes update. What else could cause them to be removed from the iTunes store and also my computer? Furthermore, the rest of my library is still intact. I e-mailed them and hopefully this can get resolved by receiving the games or a credit. I didn't pay money for something that can be taken away from me in the future.

I still have the 13 games that I paid for in my library, two backups, and at least one of the family's iPods. iTunes has never removed anything from my library that I didn't ask it to, Back in the day you should have known that you were entitled to one download only of the product and would have been reminded to make backups of your purchases. While I'm sympathetic to your loss you need to be realistic. If you lose a physical product you don't expect the shop to replace it, doubly so when the shop no longer stocks the item in question.

tt2

tt2,

Sorry to be pedantic but can you please clarify- have you actually plugged a click wheel ipod into your itunes recently and after that, checked that the games still exsist and work on the ipod itself?

In my situation the games appear to be there on the ipod but when you go to play them, they dont work.

Also- the games that came for free with the ipod do still work but there doesnt seem to be any files associated with them in my computer, .ipg or anything.

Other people in this discussion with the same issue,

I also have an Iphone 3gs that I have synced to the same computer and account (I did this around the same time I noticed the games not working). One theory I have is that there is an issue with having both of these devices synced to the same itunes account.

Does anyone else with this missing games issue also have an Iphone that they sync to the same account?

ZM

@tt2, I don't expect Apple to do anything. But let's not fool ourselves, to think Apple doesn't have those files somewhere on their servers and can't provide some sort of download link is ridiculous.

I wouldn't have noticed except my iPod touch 3rd gen's screen just broke so I went back to my iPod classic. Everything in my library is stillthere except for my click wheel games. Again, I know for a fact I didn't delete them. Maybe somebody else who uses the computer did but still I don't expect Apple to provide good customer service. Its not like I spent $50 bucks on those games (sarcasm). This is mostly a test for me.

Zebedee Magica wrote:

tt2,

Sorry to be pedantic but can you please clarify- have you actually plugged a click wheel ipod into your itunes recently and after that, checked that the games still exsist and work on the ipod itself?

Yes indeed, I had to restore my son's iPod a few days ago and the games went back onto it just fine. I've confirmed they load and play properly.

In my situation the games appear to be there on the ipod but when you go to play them, they dont work.

If you have the .ipg files in your library, remove the games, sync, then add them back again. If that doesn't work give the device a full restore.

Also- the games that came for free with the ipod do still work but there doesnt seem to be any files associated with them in my computer, .ipg or anything.

Correct, these exist as part of the firmware, not independently.

Other people in this discussion with the same issue,

I also have an Iphone 3gs that I have synced to the same computer and account (I did this around the same time I noticed the games not working). One theory I have is that there is an issue with having both of these devices synced to the same itunes account.

Does anyone else with this missing games issue also have an Iphone that they sync to the same account?

My library syncs with a couple of iPod classics, a nano (4th gen.), an iPod touch (2nd gen.), an iPhone and an iPad. I doubt there is a connection there.

tt2

We're getting deeply into speculation here, but Apple's contracts with the rights holders to these older games will come into play. A similar situation remains with audiobooks (and ringtones, digital booklets, iTunes Extras, iTunes LPs and selected other content) which are only released for a single download. Having decided to withdraw the clickwheel games for, no doubt, commercial reasons, then there is unlikely to be a commercial incentive to provide legacy support over and above what was offered at the time of sale. You and I might wish it were otherwise but there it is.

tt2

thanks for the info tt2,

so just to narrow things down a bit again- are you using itunes on a PC or a mac?

I am on a macbook pro and Im sure the issues will be different on the different OS platforms.

cheers

ZM

Windows XP Pro SP3, fully updated, latest build of iTunes.

tt2

I bought every single game they made for the ipod wheel.

I am very disappointed at the majority of posters on this thread, who keep harping on the notion that if you lose something you bought, you can't count on Apple to give it back to you. That is not the issue at all here.

The issue here is, IMO, an extremely legitimate one - does the modern version of iTunes still support syncing iPod click wheel games with earlier iPods, or does it not?

I am extremely fond of my final generation iPod Nano (which includes an AM/FM tuner!) and also bought every iPod click wheel game in the store for it. I would be very upset if the next time I went to add music or movies to it, it lost my games forever. I also might at some point lose my 6th generation Nano, and I'd like to think there'd be some way for me to back up and restore my purchases on it.

Much appreciation to the posts that actually did investigate how to make this possible. 🙂

- Jeff

well they r not here right now.

dont worry i sent apple some feedback on bringing the ipod click wheel games back.

hopefully i can knock some sense into apple's think plant brain.ℹ

send me an email the address is listed on my profile. I know were you can get some ipod classic wheel games

where?

jdiamond wrote:

...does the modern version of iTunes still support syncing iPod click wheel games with earlier iPods, or does it not?

Missed this question back when it was asked, but yes, if you still have a collection of iPod clickwheel games you can put them on new or restored clickwheel devices.

tt2