• Publisher: Midway
  • Release Date: Nov 24, 2005
Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. A cult classic and worth the low price. This is a fun game to play and even better with friends. Strangely this twisted shooter never really gets boring and is good for several rounds. To quote the MC "I'd Buy That For A Dollar."
  2. This blood-drenched blast-fest is still one of the most intense games ever made, and twitch gamers looking for a serious challenge won't be disappointed.
  3. An arcade classic. [Issue#23, p.96]
  4. As with the other arcade classics currently available on Xbox Live Arcade, the addition of scoreboards, achievements, and online play breathe new life into Smash TV, an already-classic game.
  5. 76
    If reminding yourself of the days of games when you were hanging out in bowling alleys and getting pizza grease all over arcade joysticks is what you're looking for, then this is your game.
  6. Playing alone, you'll remember why simple arcade shooters got left behind in the smokey pizza parlors of yesteryear; play along side a friend, the experience into a frantic race for survival that's well worth the small pittance for admission. [Jun 2006, p.60]
  7. The game is a lot of fun, and even though you can play with unlimited continues, Game Achievement challenges are fairly interesting – although a few are very difficult, if not impossible.
  8. A great game that is extremely hardcore, and for only five bucks it is just cheap enough for newcomers try.
  9. Smash TV provides a dose of retro-gaming fun that improves upon the original with some entertaining online co-op support.
  10. While the game isn't exactly deep, it's a fun diversion for a chunk of time, especially if you have a friend to play with, in person or on Xbox Live. As far as the old classic games go, this is better than most offerings.
  11. Yes, the graphics are pretty bad and the speech samples are unintentionally funny but it doesn't detract from the hard-as-nails gaming. [Issue #16, p.78]
  12. 70
    Nostalgia-lovers and angst-ridden teens looking for an outlet can't go wrong with Smash TV. There's not really that much depth to it, but who cares? You get to blow things up!
  13. The problem with this game is that you can repeatedly continue over and over and over again, taking away some of the challenge.
  14. This one is worth the dosh for the download. Quick bursts of fun to keep you entertained; get one of your mates online as a co-op partner as well, and things can only get more crazy and fun.
  15. If you're looking for a quick trip down memory lane or just a seriously intense shooter with a really funny backdrop them Smash TV might be worth your while. On the other hand you might want to just save that $5 for tax on Oblivion or some other game you're likely to get way more than a couple hours worth of gameplay out of.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. One of the most biggest sorprises on XBLA, this title is amazing, funny, addictive, interesting, I love it, the gameplay is incredible, and the music, graphics, sounds, controls all are amazing in this title. Full Review »
  2. RyanM.
    10
    I find it very memorable and humorous, coming to review a game which has been in my hearts since its release over a decade ago. Smash TV is my favorite game of all time, so my score is clearly an impression of that specific opinion. If I was to review Smash TV the same way I critique and review many other games, the score would be abyssmal. The visuals are awful in comparison to what is expect this day and age, the length of the game is short in comparison; and the sound is muffled. With all that considered, gameplay is truly the grandest and best aspect of any game, and Smash TV proves that by rising as the best live arcade purchase one could fathom, and remaining dearest as a quality game. Now you may not have the same opinion as me, and place Smash TV on the highest level of perfection as I do, but do not deny and ignore the fact that it is simply impossible to not get an insane level of enjoyment out of your minuscule purchase of this game. Full Review »
  3. JonathanS.
    8
    Really addictive, it doesn't get old very easily. I beat the game without once stopping just because I never got bored. It's even better if you play it online or invite somone over to play it. The only complaint is how much the "continues" divide your Live score, especially when you won't get very far without respawning unless you're a hardened veteran at the game. That, and the final achievement, "Game Master" is slightly ridiculous, and perhaps impossible: Beat the entire game without using a "continue." Other than that, this game is easily worth 400 Microsoft Points, and has a good replay value. Full Review »