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Texas Chainsaw Massacre FAQ
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VERSION 1.0
Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Cypher. Mail me at
[email protected] if you so desire with comments and questions.
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is copyright 1974 by Vortex Pictures.
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE for the Atari 2600 is copyright by
Wizard Video.
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I. The Origin of the Game
A. There's a Texas Chainsaw Massacre video game? Who made this?
B. Why is it so rare?
C. Is it any good?
D. Where can I find one?
II. The Game
A. The Object of the Game
B. The Controls
C. Obstacle Strategies
D. Slicing 'n Dicing Tips
E. The Ending
III. Version History
IV. Other FAQs by Cypher
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I. The Origin of the Game
A. There's a Texas Chainsaw Massacre video game? Who made this?
Yes, there's a TCM game, based on the movie of the same name. It
was produced by a company called Wizard Video for the classic
Atari 2600 system back in the early '80s. Wizard only made two
games in their brief life - this and the HALLOWEEN game, also
based on a classic horror film. Then they went out of business,
and were never heard from again. Both of their games are now
very hard to find anywhere.
B. Why is it so rare?
Because retailers wouldn't display it on the shelf along with
their other Atari 2600 games. The TCM game, along with the
Halloween game, were both kept out of sight behind the counter at
most retail outlets. As a result, few people were even aware
they existed, and no one bought them. Hence, Wizard Video went
out of business.
Why were they kept behind the counter like that, you ask? Because
then, just as today, parents were concerned about violence in
video games. As such, when parents' groups learned of the blood
the games contained, they pushed to get them off of shelves. And
off of shelves they went. Nevertheless, retailers continued to
keep these games as well as certain pornographic Atari games
behind the counter for interested older gamers.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre game was actually seen as
particularly offensive. This was no doubt because you played as
the murderous Leatherface, on a quest to chop up innocent women.
No, I'm not kidding.
C. Is it any good?
Well... not really. The novelty of playing as the bad guy will
keep you coming back, but I can't really say it's a quality
title. Wizard Video's HALLOWEEN game is much better, though.
D. Where can I find one?
Collector and enthusiast shows are your best bet. You could
also check out the Ebay and Yahoo! auctions in the hopes of
getting lucky. Be prepared to pay a pretty penny for it
wherever you go, however. For those of you who like a cheaper
and less legal approach, nearly every Atari 2600 game ever made
is online somewhere in ROM format. But I'm not condoning this
kind of activity, nor am I telling you where to go, so don't even
ask. Be forewarned that it's illegal to download these ROMs.
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II. The Game
A. The Object of the Game
You are Leatherface. Here, in this field in the backwoods of
Texas, numerous young women are fleeing from you and the chainsaw
you brandish, screaming as they run. They think they can get
away from you. They obviously haven't seen many horror movies.
Your object is to run left or right, racing through the field,
dodging various obstacles, bearing down on the fleeing girls
and eventually reducing them to a bloody pulp. The entire time,
your chainsaw is idling. Its fuel is constantly draining.
Revving it up to chop up a victim or to cut your way out of an
obstacle that you stepped into only drains it faster. You must
slaughter as many girls as you can before your fuel runs out.
You have three lives, and thusly, three attempts in which to
kill as many girls as you can. When you run out of fuel, a
life expires, and you are resurrected with a fully fueled
chainsaw, ready to kill all over again. Once your three lives
run out, the game is over. There's no way to kill every girl.
They just keep coming. The object is to score as many kills,
and points, as possible.
You get 1,000 points for every kill. When you pass 10,000
points - IF you pass 10,000 points - the game speeds up.
Leatherface runs faster in whatever direction you push him,
sending the obstacles careening your way at an alarming rate.
There is no way to earn extra lives or fuel.
B. The Controls
Push left or right to run left or right. Push up or down to
dodge obstacles or align yourself with a potential victim by
moving up or down.
Push the button to rev your chainsaw. This will drain your fuel
even faster than regular idling, so be warned. You should only
rev your chainsaw to chop up a victim nearby, or to cut your way
out of an obstacle you stepped into.
C. Obstacle Strategies
Four kinds of obstacles fly at you - brambles (or possibly barbed
wire, hard to tell), cow skulls, fences and wheelchairs.
Wheelchairs come at you the fastest. The others all move at an
equal speed. As such, if you see an oncoming line of obstacles,
get out of the way of the wheelchairs first. They'll fly by
faster, allowing you to then move back into position to avoid the
other, slower obstacles once they've gone by.
Leatherface begins the game facing left. Take that as a hint.
Always run LEFT, not RIGHT. Running left gives you more space
between you and the edge of the screen, and therefore more
warning time as an object comes at you. If you really need
more challenge, however, feel free to run right and see where it
gets you.
If any part of Leatherface collides with an object, you're stuck
there. You can't move, and any prey you see before you will run
offscreen. Once they're offscreen, they're gone, and you'll have
to find a new victim. Plus, in order to get out of being stuck
on the object you hit, you'll have to cut through it by revving
your chainsaw, wasting valuable fuel. In short, avoid obstacles
at ALL costs. Obstacles only come at Leatherface because he
runs at them. Therefore, if you think you won't be able to
avoid one, the solution is simple - stop running. Press straight
up or straight down to manuver around it, then continue your
pursuit. Even if you lose your prey, you save valuable fuel in
the process.
This is all especially important to remember after you pass
10,000 points and the obstacles speed up. Be sure to avoid the
obstacles at all costs. By this point, you'll likely be near the
end of your game, so it's more important that you save your fuel
for the victims than waste it on cutting your way out of an
obstacle.
D. Slicing 'n Dicing Tips
When you see a victim appear, that high-pitched whistle is her
scream. Keep aligned with her. No new obstacles will appear
in line with the victim. Charge at her, but don't rev the
chainsaw until you've almost made contact. It not only saves
fuel, but it also leaves her unprepared to dodge the spinning
blade. She'll go down faster that way.
On the other hand, sometimes the victim will sidestep you,
and get around you, appearing on the other side of you. Don't
be afraid to turn around and backtrack. If she does it again,
follow, revving your chainsaw each time you're beside her. Don't
let up until she's a bloody mess.
E. The Ending
In the end, you'll run out of fuel and lives. As previously
stated, there's not way to replenish either one. So, what's up
with that final screen?
Basically, one of your past victims has come back to life and
kicks Leatherface in the butt in retaliation. It was seemingly
Wizard Video's attempt to lighten the bloody proceedings, and
therefore lessen complaints. I guess it failed.
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III. Version History
Version 1.0 - 11/27/00 - Whole FAQ written and put onto GameFAQs.
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IV. Other FAQs by Cypher
Autolycus character FAQ for XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS - TALISMAN OF
FATE on Nintendo 64.
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This FAQ is copyright 2000 by Cypher.
