| The Texas Chainsaw Massacre | |
| Developer: | VSS, Inc. |
| Publisher: | Wizard Video Games |
| Designer: | Ed Salvo |
| Released: | March 14, 1983 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Modes: | Single-player |
| Platforms: | Atari 2600 |
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.[1] It was designed and programmed by VSS, a software development company started by Ed Salvo and several other ex-Games by Apollo programmers.
The player takes on the role of the movie's chainsaw-wielding villain, Leatherface,[2] and attempts to murder trespassers while avoiding obstacles such as fences, wheelchairs, and cow skulls.[3] The player controls the murderer with the objective to chase and kill victims.[4] 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.
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.[5] Wizard's other commercial release, Halloween, was also not well-received.[6]