Description

"M*A*S*H" is a video game based on the hugely popular television series of the same name, designed for the Atari 2600/VCS console. The game was developed and published by 20th Century Fox Games in 1983, a branch of the film studio that ventured into video gaming during the early 1980s arcade boom. In "M*A*S*H," players take on the role of a surgeon at the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War, the setting of the TV show. The game features two main gameplay modes: a surgery mode and a helicopter rescue mode. In the helicopter rescue mode, players must navigate a helicopter to rescue injured soldiers and bring them back to the MASH unit, dodging obstacles such as trees and enemy fire. The surgery mode requires players to perform operations on wounded soldiers by carefully removing shrapnel, which is reminiscent of the classic board game "Operation."

The game utilizes simple graphics typical of the Atari 2600, with gameplay focusing on timing and precision. Players must balance their time between rescuing soldiers and performing surgery, creating a sense of urgency that reflects the high-pressure environment of a war-time surgical hospital. "M*A*S*H" was one of the earlier games to be directly tied to a television series, showcasing the potential for multimedia franchising in the video game industry. This trend would grow significantly in later years, influencing how entertainment franchises are marketed across various platforms. The game offered a unique thematic experience during its time, providing both action and a crude form of surgical simulation, which was innovative for the capabilities of early home consoles.

Title

M*A*S*H - Title

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Gameplay

M*A*S*H - Gameplay

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