Explore how the MASH video game captured the humor and chaos of the hit TV show. A deep dive into gameplay, impact, and legacy!
Picture this, it’s 1983 and your favorite television show has just been turned into a videogame. It was a crossover that nobody saw it coming. I mean, come on now, a videogame based on a TV show that’s about an army hospital in the Korean War? It sounds as logical as putting pineapple on a pizza (the only fruit that belongs on a pizza is tomato). But back in those days, just about anything was possible. After all, if E.T. could get his own game why not MASH?
The show itself was legendary. It ran from 1972 until 1983, and it was a mix of gallows humor, gut-wrenching drama, and characters you couldn’t help but fall in love with. Even if you were too young to understand half of the jokes, the antics in the show were hilarious enough on their own. So, when the videogame dropped back in 1983, fans of the popular TV show were all in. It wasn’t just another cash grab, it was an attempt to capture the madness, heroism, and dark humor that made the show a true hit.
So, pick up your joystick, and let’s dive into the chaotic world of MASH the videogame.
Basic Information
- Title: MASH
- Developer: 20th Century Fox Video Games
- Publisher: Fox Video Games
- Release Date: 1983
- Genre: Action / Rescue
- Platforms: Atari 2600, ColecoVision, TI-99/4A
The Gameplay
you had your choice of playing either Hawkeye or B.J. And, the goal was to save as many wounded soldiers in enemy territory as possible. There was no time for wisecracks, you were just too busy dodging enemy fire in a helicopter, scooping up injured troops, and racing back to the camp for surgery.
The game itself was split into two main parts, the chopper rescue missions, and the surgery minigames. After you flew your helicopter through enemy fire, which felt more like a pixelated version of Operation with way more explosions, then came the surgery part. Your job was to remove shrapnel from a wounded soldier without flatlining them. Unfortunately, if you messed up it was game over. There is no laugh track, rather just the constant brutal reminder that war was hell.
The game itself was a weird mix of tension and dark humor. One second, you are dodging bullets, and the next you’re trying to save a life. And all of this with Atari-age graphics. To the younger generation, these graphics look more like a mosaic that someone just kicked over. But, for videogame enthusiasts back in the 80s, it was simply heaven.
The Cultural Impact of MASH
Let’s face it, a lot of the 80s video games are actually based on TV shows were terrible. But, MASH was different. This wasn’t just the traditional slapping of a popular brand onto a half-baked game, they actually tried to capture the spirit of the show. They wanted to include the chaos of war and the urgency of saving lives with just a hint of black humor. This is what MASH fans simply loved about the game.
Sure, the graphics were blocky, but all video games were at the time. And, the controls were a little bit clunky, because this was the Atari 2600 after all. But, the game had heart. It was one of the few examples of how a wargame could be developed in a way that was more than just about shooting and achieving high scores. Instead, they focused on the concept of rescuing people and making decisions under pressure.
And, for fans of the show, it was a way for them to feel connected to the 4077th, long after the series finale. After all, when the show ended, it broke records and hearts alike. For anyone else, it was a constant reminder that even in a wargame, sometimes the real victory was saving someone else’s life.
Believe it or not, you can still find retro grammars who are hunting down cartridges of this popular 80s video game. There is an entire underground culture of retro enthusiasts who still have old game consoles and a collection of video games.
Game Background
The first question most people ask is why even base a game on a dramedy about an army hospital. But, if you have ever seen the show MASH, then you would understand. The show was at the height of its popularity in the early 80s, and with a series finale setting records as one of the most-watched television episodes ever, 20th Century Fox knew they could capitalize on this popularity by teaming up with Atari.
But, it’s important to remember that it wasn’t just a quick cash grab. The developers of the game actually tried to plan the show’s dark humor and moral dilemmas into the gameplay itself. The chopper rescues themselves were frantic and stressful, while the surgeries were surprisingly tense. This forced you to slow down at whim, so you don’t lose another patient, and lose the game.
Believe it or not, the early builds of the game were apparently too dark to be released. They were way darker than the final version that was released to the public, and the surgery scenes were much more graphic. But, in order to make it more acceptable to game enthusiasts of all ages, they had to tone down these darker and more graphic details in the final release.
Reception and Legacy of MASH the Video Game
At first, critics were split about the game. Some of them thought that the game was just too simple. Others, on the other hand, loved how it captured the urgency and unpredictable ability of the show. Believe it or not, the surgery minigame got a lot of praise for being one of the most unique features of the Atari. And, the dual gameplay helped keep things fresh.
Nevertheless, despite the mixed reviews, the game developed a bit of a cult following. Today, retro gaming enthusiasts still talk about it as one of the better TV-to-game adaptations of the 80s. Granted, it wasn’t a masterpiece, before a game that had to balance chopper rescues and gallows humor, it did a pretty good job.
MASH FAQ Section
Can I still play the MASH video game today?
You can find a wide selection of emulators all over the Internet, and if you keep your eye out you might even find some secondhand cartridges available on eBay.
Was there a sequel to the MASH game?
There is never any sequel to the MASH game, which was probably for the best.
Did any of the cast work on the game?
A lot of people wonder whether the cast helped to work on the game. After all, it’s not uncommon with today’s video games. But, unfortunately, back in those days it was kinda hard to truly capture the essence of the actor’s voice in an extremely pixilated videogame.
How long does it take to beat?
If you weren’t too busy crashing your helicopter and killing patients, you could beat the game in about 30 minutes.
Is it worth playing today?
If you are a fan of retro games or even a fan of MASH, then this is a must-have for any collector.
Key Takeaways
sure, MASH the videogame was not a blockbuster by far. But, it was something more interesting. It was again that tried to capture the messy, funny, heartbreaking spirit of its source material. The developers took risks, and some of them worked out quite well. But, other risks just didn’t stick the landing.
In a day and age when most video games were about blasting aliens or jumping through barrels, MASH stood out among the crowd. They dared to be different, by making a game that wasn’t about killing enemies but saving lives. And, it’s this difference that sets it apart and makes it more memorable today.
