Total Carnage (1992)

Total Carnage is not a direct sequel to Williams’ 1990 epic coin-muncher Smash T.V. However, it was created by the same development team and will feel immediately familiar to anyone who has played the former, with the same dual stick controls, 2 player co-op game-play, similar graphics and of course hatfuls of power ups.

The players assume the roles of two beefcake soldiers (or possibly even wrestling tag-team members) called ‘Captain Carnage’ and ‘Major Mayhem’ across three stages in an effort to overthrow dictator General Akhboob and his army of mutants from conquering the world. Whilst it doesn’t quite reach the rare heights of its predecessors, it’s still an enjoyable co-operative romp that takes a worthy place in the short lineage of twin stick shooter games, which started with Eugene Jarvis’s intense action game ‘Robotron 2084’ in 1982.