The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a video game for the Atari 2600 based on the film of the same name. The game was released in March 1983 by Wizard Video Games. It was designed and programmed by VSS, a software development company started by Ed Salvo and several other ex-Games by Apollo programmers.
Gameplay
The player takes on the role of the movie’s chainsaw-wielding villain, Leatherface, and attempts to murder trespassers while avoiding obstacles such as fences, wheelchairs, and cow skulls. The player controls the murderer with the objective to chase and kill victims. Each victim slain gives the player 1,000 points. The player receives additional fuel at every 5,000 points (5 victims). A life is lost when the player’s chainsaw runs out of gasoline. Gameplay ends when the last tank of gas is consumed.
Reception
As one of the first horror-themed video games, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre caused controversy when it was released because of the violent nature of the video game and sold poorly; many stores refused to carry it. Wizard’s other commercial release, Halloween, was also not well-received.
Reviews
- Electronic Fun with Computers & Games – October 1983
See also
- List of controversial video games
References
External links
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre at GameFAQs
Gamer24h Editor's Take
Put under the Gamer24h team's microscope, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre raises the bar considerably with both its storytelling and technical polish. Thanks to VSS, Inc.'s meticulous craftsmanship and Wizard Video Games's strong presentation, the high production quality is evident in every moment of the game. Masterfully blending Action mechanics with modern standards, the game's fluid gameplay makes hours fly by unnoticed. If you're looking for an absorbing world and satisfying mechanics that pull you right in, this game might be exactly what you've been searching for.