data/claims/smash-tv-history.yamlSmash TV (history and reception)
Game: Smash TV.
Smash TV began as a Williams arcade game; VideoGames & Computer Entertainment's September 1991 issue says Williams released it the year before and that it quickly became a hit, and Nintendo Power called it a Bally/Williams pay-per-play arcade hit. The NES manual dates the game ©1990 Williams Electronics Games. smash-tv-history/arcade
printed p. 43 (PDF p. 41), Smash TV review — the sentence goes on in the next quote; the OCR interleaves another review's column between the two linesWilliams released the arcade version lastNintendo Power, issue 28 (September 1991) · printed p. 34 (PDF p. 36), Smash TV — the scan prints "pay-per-play" across a line break, and the OCR drops the hyphenbringing this Bally/Williams pay-perplay arcade hit to the home screen.Smash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · back page (PDF p. 10), legal text — the OCR reads "Smash TY" and "Williame"Smash TV™ ©1990 Williams® Electronics Games, IncVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 43 (PDF p. 41), Smash TV reviewyear, and it quickly became a hit.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted VGCE's "quickly became a hit", the second half of the sentence.Cited by: Smash TV
The NES version came out in North America in September 1991, with Acclaim as Nintendo's licensee; Nintendo Power's September 1991 issue previewed it, and its Powerline column described it. smash-tv-history/release-na
PDF p. 11 — Nintendo of America's NES list; the row reads Acclaim, September 1991Smash T.V.Nintendo Power, issue 28 (September 1991) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 6), Powerline — the sentence runs on to "up depicting a game show of the future"Smash TV is an unconventional shoot em-Nintendo Power, issue 28 (September 1991) · printed p. 34 (PDF p. 36), Smash TVstay tuned for a sneak preview ofRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted Nintendo Power's p. 34 "sneak preview" line; the statement adds that its Powerline column described the game.Cited by: Smash TV
Acclaim Entertainment distributed and marketed the NES cartridge, and Nintendo Power's data box names Acclaim Entertainment. smash-tv-history/nes-publisher
back page (PDF p. 10), legal text — the line goes on "by Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. 71 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, N.Y. 11771"Distributed and marketedNintendo Power, issue 28 (September 1991) · printed p. 34 (PDF p. 36), Game Pak Data BoxAcclaim Entertainment Inc.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The scout read all ten pages of the manual and found no developer credit. A copyright line on Nintendo Power's p. 34 is partly covered by artwork, and what shows of it ("...software Pty. Ltd.") isn't enough to name a developer.
Cited by: Smash TV
Nintendo Power's data box gives the NES cartridge's memory as 1M × 1M and names the MMC3 chip. smash-tv-history/cartridge
printed p. 34 (PDF p. 36), Game Pak Data BoxMMC3Nintendo Power, issue 28 (September 1991) · printed p. 34 (PDF p. 36), Game Pak Data Box — read on the page image; the OCR gives "1MXIM"1M X 1MRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the Game Pak Data Box's "1M X 1M", read on the page image.The manual sets the game in 1999, when television game shows offer contestants their lives as the prize. Alone or in a pair, armed contestants are sent into a closed arena. Nintendo Power and VideoGames & Computer Entertainment give the same year. smash-tv-history/premise
printed p. 1 (PDF p. 2) — the story is set at an angle and the text layer doesn't hold it; the scout read it on the page imageThe year is 1999. Television has given in to the blood lust of its viewers.Smash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 1 (PDF p. 2) — read on the page image (scout)TV game shows now offer the ultimate in prizes: your life!Smash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 1 (PDF p. 2) — read on the page image (scout)Alone or in a pair, powerfully armed contestants are sent into a closed arena.Nintendo Power, issue 28 (September 1991) · printed p. 34 (PDF p. 36), Smash TVwhat is sure to be the hit game show of 1999VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 43 (PDF p. 41), Smash TV reviewwhat in the year 1999 has become the world's favorite TV game showChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Smash TV
The NES version has four play options: one player with one controller, one player with two, two players with one each, and two players with two each. smash-tv-history/play-options
printed p. 3 (PDF p. 3), mode selectOPTION #2) 1 player - 2 controllersSmash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 3 (PDF p. 3), mode selectOPTION #4) 2 player - 4 controllersSmash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 3 (PDF p. 3), mode selectOPTION #1) 1 player - 1 controllerSmash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 3 (PDF p. 3), mode selectOPTION #3) 2 player - 2 controllersRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the manual's options 1 and 3, not only 2 and 4.Cited by: Smash TV
With one controller, the control pad moves the contestant and sets the aim, A fires, and B keeps firing in the last direction while the contestant moves any way. With two controllers, the first pad moves and the second aims and fires, so the contestant can move one way and shoot another. smash-tv-history/controls
printed p. 4 (PDF p. 4)CONTROL PAD ARROWS moves you and changes the direction you are aiming.Smash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 4)keep shooting in the last direction fired, while still allowing you to move in any direction.Smash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 4) — the OCR reads "ARROW/S"The PLAYER 2 CONTROL PAD ARROWS aim and fire your weapons.Smash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 4)allows you to move in one direction and shoot in the same (or any other) direction at the same time.Smash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 4)The A BUTTON fires all weapons.Smash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 4)Pressing the B BUTTON allows you toSmash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 4)PLAYER 1 CONTROL PAD ARROWS moves you around the arena.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the A and B button lines and Player 1's control pad.Cited by: Smash TV
Two players with two controllers each need Nintendo's four-player accessory: pads 1 and 3 move the two contestants and pads 2 and 4 aim and fire. For the feel of the arcade, the manual says the controllers are held at a right angle to the usual grip, with the pad at the top. smash-tv-history/four-controllers
printed p. 4 (PDF p. 4) — the OCR reads "& Nintendo" for "a Nintendo"This option requires the use of a Nintendo 4 player accessory.Smash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 5)TO MOVE: (CONTROLLER 1 for PLAYER 1 and CONTROLLER 3 for PLAYER 2.)Smash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 5)TO AIM & FIRE: (CONTROLLER 2 for PLAYER 1 and CONTROLLER 4 for PLAYER 2.)Smash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 6 (PDF p. 5) — the note runs on, "angle to the standard position. This means the CONTROL PAD ARROWS are at the top instead of the left."the controllers must be held at a rightSmash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 6 (PDF p. 5)are at the top instead of the left.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Smash TV
Nintendo Power wrote that any pair of controllers works for the two-controller mode, and that a pair of NES Advantages, taped down and turned 90 degrees clockwise, gives the arcade's feel; with an NES Satellite or NES Four Score, two players can each use two controllers. smash-tv-history/np-play-modes
printed p. 34 (PDF p. 36), Play Modes Galore!One controls your movement,Nintendo Power, issue 28 (September 1991) · printed p. 34 (PDF p. 36), Play Modes Galore!Any pair of controllers will work!Nintendo Power, issue 28 (September 1991) · printed p. 34 (PDF p. 36), Play Modes Galore!rotate your Advantages 90 degrees clockwiseNintendo Power, issue 28 (September 1991) · printed p. 34 (PDF p. 36), Play Modes Galore!With a NES Satellite or NES Four Score, two players can play with two controllers each.Nintendo Power, issue 28 (September 1991) · printed p. 34 (PDF p. 36), Play Modes Galore!make sure you tape down the two controllersRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted Nintendo Power's line on taping down the two controllers.Cited by: Smash TV
The contestant starts with a machine gun and a brief force field with each new life, and picks up weapons and power-ups by moving over their symbols. Only one weapon works at a time, but power-ups such as extra speed or the force field work alongside any weapon. smash-tv-history/weapons
printed p. 7 (PDF p. 5), WeaponsYour basic weapon, the machine gun, along with the mobile forcefield that is briefly provided with every new lifeSmash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 5), Weaponsit can easily be picked up by moving over it.Smash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 5), WeaponsOnly one weapon type can be used at a time, but power-ups such as increased speed, or the mobile forcefield can be used simultaneously with all weapons.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Smash TV
Each of the four rounds features a star opponent: Mutoid Man in the first, Scarface in the second, the Cobra Twins in the third, and the game show host in the fourth. smash-tv-history/bosses
printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 6-7), Your Opponents TonightRound 4: THE GAME SHOW HOST WITH THE MOSTSmash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 6-7), Your Opponents Tonight — rounds 1 to 3 are read on the page image (scout); the text layer has round 4, and the score table names Mutoid man, Scarface, and the Cobra bossRound 1: MUTOID MANSmash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 6-7), Your Opponents Tonighteach round of the show also features an opponent with unique talentsSmash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 6-7), Your Opponents Tonight — read on the page image (scout and audit)Round 2: SCARFACESmash T.V. (NES) instruction manual · printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 6-7), Your Opponents Tonight — read on the page image (scout and audit)Round 3: COBRA TWINSRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted rounds 2 and 3, read on the page image.Cited by: Smash TV
Brent Walker's review describes four areas in the NES version, each a set of rooms joined by doorways. A map at the start of each area shows how they connect, where the bonus rooms are, and where the boss is. Cash, prizes, extra lives, and weapons appear at random for a limited time; after the boss, the contestant collects bonus points for the cash and prizes before the next area. smash-tv-history/structure
printed pp. 43-44 (PDF pp. 41-42)There are four different areas in the NES version, each consistingVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42)rooms interconnected by doorways. A map appears at the beginning of each area that shows how the rooms are connectedVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42)All of the aforementioned items appear randomly for a limited time before they disappear.VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42)comes back to the main area for bonus points based on all the cash and prizes accumulatedChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Smash TV
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment's September 1991 review gives the NES cartridge's price as $47.95. smash-tv-history/price
printed p. 43 (PDF p. 41), review header($47.95)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Smash TV
Brent Walker wrote that Smash TV combines the play of Robotron with a violent game-show theme like that of the film The Running Man, for one player or two at once. smash-tv-history/robotron
printed p. 43 (PDF p. 41)combines the game play of the classic Robotron and a violent game-show themeVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 43 (PDF p. 41)The Running ManVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 43 (PDF p. 41)for either one or two players (simultaneously)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Smash TV
Nintendo Power's September 1991 preview rated the NES version 2.6 for graphics and sound, 3.8 for play control, 3.3 for challenge and lasting interest, and 4.0 for theme and fun, out of 5. smash-tv-history/np-score
Value
{
"review": "Nintendo Power",
"of": 5,
"scores": {
"graphics and sound": 2.6,
"play control": 3.8,
"challenge and lasting interest": 3.3,
"theme and fun": 4
}
}printed p. 34 (PDF p. 36), Game Pak Data Box, Power Meter — the OCR gives the four labels with 2.6, 3.8, 3.3, and 4.0 beneath them in order; the scout read the numbers on the page imageChallenge & Lasting Inf.Nintendo Power, issue 28 (September 1991) · printed p. 89 (PDF p. 91), Power Meter Ratings key — the issue's key to its Power Meter ratingsRatings are from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) in four different categoriesRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Cited the issue's Power Meter key, ratings 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent), for the scale.The ratings sit in the data box of a preview feature (pp. 34-37), not a review column.
Cited by: Smash TV
Brent Walker's review in VideoGames & Computer Entertainment rated the NES version 7 for sound and music, 8 for graphics, 8 for playability, and 8 overall, out of 10. smash-tv-history/vgce-score
Value
{
"review": "VideoGames & Computer Entertainment",
"of": 10,
"scores": {
"sound/music": 7,
"graphics": 8,
"playability": 8,
"overall": 8
}
}printed p. 43 (PDF p. 41), ratings bar — the text layer has the label but not the numbers; the scout read 7, 8, 8, 8 on the page imageOVERALLVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42), signature—Brent WalkerChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Smash TV
Brent Walker wrote that the NES version captures the essence of Smash TV, with the play that made the arcade game a success, and that Acclaim had done better than he'd have thought possible with a hard translation. The game has plenty of challenge and no continues. The host's lines sound scratchy, which he put down to memory limits, and a few of the arcade's weapons are missing; flicker, which he had worried about, is mostly avoided. smash-tv-history/vgce-verdict
printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42)the NES version manages to capture the essence of Smash TV, with the same game play that made the arcade version a success.VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42)Translating all the features of the game to the NES is quite a challenge, but Acclaim has done better than I'd have thought possible.VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42)There is plenty of challenge and difficulty— sorry, no continuesVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42) — the OCR interleaves column noise in the rest, "most likely due to memory restrictions"; the sentence begins "'I'll buy that for a dollar,' and the other comments made by the host, appear to have been taken directly from the original, but come out some-"what scratchy on the NESVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42)Most of the power-ups from the original game are present, with only a few weapons missing.VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42) — the problem is flicker, "with so many critters on-screen at the same time"they seem to have been able to avoid the problem for the most partRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted "quite a challenge" with the reviewer's praise for Acclaim.Cited by: Smash TV
Walker wrote that players of the coin-op would want to know how its two eight-way joysticks fit on one NES pad. He found the one-controller scheme took getting used to and could be deadly under pressure, and the two-controller scheme much easier; he remarked that here was a game that played better with the pad than with bigger controllers. smash-tv-history/vgce-controls
printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42)how they managed to get two eight-way joysticks crammed into one NES padVideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42)getting used to and can be deadly if you mess up when the heat is on.VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42)The second way, using both controllers, is much easier.VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, issue 32 (September 1991) · printed p. 44 (PDF p. 42)better with the pad than with the bigger controllers!Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted "getting used to", which the statement rests on.Cited by: Smash TV