Description

"Cathouse Blues/Philly Flasher" is a video game developed for the Atari 2600 console, known for its controversial content. Published by Mystique, a company that specialized in adult-themed games during the early 1980s, the game was released under their Swedish Erotica line. In "Cathouse Blues," players navigate through a multi-room brothel playing as a male customer trying to engage with various 'ladies of the night' while avoiding a cop. Conversely, "Philly Flasher" features gameplay where players control two male characters catching breast milk from a witch with cauldrons. Both games push the boundaries of the content typical for video games of their time, sparking debates on decency and the portrayal of sexual themes in video games.

The game is significant not only because of its adult themes but also its role in video game history as part of the small series of adult games produced for the Atari 2600, which also included titles like "Custer's Revenge" and "Beat 'Em & Eat 'Em". These games, although poorly received by critics for their crude graphics and simplistic gameplay, were among the first to explore adult content in video gaming, setting the stage for future discussions and regulations concerning video game content. The backlash against such games contributed to the establishment of video game rating systems that help inform consumers about the nature of game content. Despite—or perhaps because of—its controversial nature, "Cathouse Blues/Philly Flasher" remains a curiously noteworthy chapter in the history of video games.