Description

"Smash TV" is a high-octane, twin-stick arcade shooter, originally developed by Williams Electronics and later adapted for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) by Acclaim Entertainment. Released during the early 1990s, the game is set in a dystopian future, inspired by the visceral thrills of game shows from the 1980s, like "The Running Man." Players take on the role of a game show contestant, battling through a series of increasingly difficult arenas loaded with hordes of enemies, all for the entertainment of a fictional viewing audience. The goal is simple: survive, while collecting as many prizes and power-ups as possible, ranging from toasters and VCRs to keys that unlock additional rooms.

The game is notable for its intense gameplay and the innovative use of dual-joystick controls – one for moving the character and the other for firing weapons in any direction, a mechanic that was somewhat unique at the time for home console versions. When ported to the NES, however, the dual-stick shooting mechanism had to be adapted to fit the NES controller, which only featured a directional pad and two action buttons. This version allowed players to use two controllers or to play cooperatively with a friend, each player controlling one aspect of movement and shooting. Despite the technical limitations, "Smash TV" on the NES managed to retain much of the arcade's frenetic pace and challenge, making it a beloved title among fans of classic shoot-'em-up games.

Title

Smash TV - Title

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Gameplay

Smash TV - Gameplay

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Gameplay

Smash TV - Gameplay

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