Smash TV
| Smash TV | |
|---|---|
Arcade flyer | |
| Developer(s) | Williams (arcade) Probe Software (Genesis, Master System, Game Gear, Spectrum, C64) Beam Software (NES, SNES) |
| Publisher(s) | Williams |
| Designer(s) | Eugene Jarvis |
| Programmer(s) | Mark Turmell |
| Artist(s) | John Tobias Tim Coman |
| Composer(s) | List
|
| Platform(s) | Arcade, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Amiga, Commodore 64, Game Gear, Genesis, Master System, NES, Super NES, ZX Spectrum |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Multidirectional shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player Two-player co-op |
| Arcade system | Midway Y Unit |
Smash TV is a 1990 arcade video game created by Eugene Jarvis and Mark Turmell for Williams Electronics Games. It is a twin-stick shooter in the same vein as 1982's Robotron: 2084, which was co-created by Jarvis. The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Genesis, Master System, and Game Gear versions are titled Super Smash TV.
The game takes place in a dystopian television game show in the then-future year of 1999. One or two contestants shoot waves of attackers while collecting money, prizes, and temporary power-ups. After an arena has been cleared of adversaries, the contestants choose an exit, each leading to another room. One room contains an end-of-level boss. With two players, the game is cooperative, but at the end of the level the player who collected the most cash and prizes receives an extra reward. The arcade game has a high difficulty and leans on being able to pay to continue. A bonus feature was added after release allowing players to collect keys throughout the levels to reach the "pleasure dome".