Smash TV

Smash TV
Arcade flyer
DeveloperWilliams Electronics
PublishersWilliams Electronics
Consoles
Acclaim Entertainment
Home computers
Ocean Software
DesignerEugene Jarvis
ProgrammerMark Turmell
ArtistsJohn Tobias
Tim Coman
Composer
Jon Hey
  • NES, Super NES
    Marshall Parker
    Amiga, ST
    Tony Williams
    C64
    Jeroen Tel
    Genesis/Mega Drive, Game Gear
    Matt Furniss
Platform
Release
April 1990
  • Arcade
    • NA: April 1990
    NES
    • NA: September 1991
    Amiga, Atari ST, C64, CPC, ZX Spectrum
    • EU: November 1991
    Super NES
    • NA: February 1992
    • PAL: February 18, 1993
    Genesis/Mega Drive
    • NA: August 1992
    • EU: November 1992
    Game Gear
    • NA: September 1992
    • EU: December 17, 1992
    Master System
    • EU: November 5, 1992
GenreTwin-stick shooter
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemMidway Y Unit

Smash TV is a twin-stick shooter developed and published by Williams Electronics as an arcade video game in 1990. It was designed by Eugene Jarvis and programmed by Mark Turmell, with similar gameplay to Jarvis' earlier game Robotron: 2084 (1982). The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega 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".