With all of the hype surrounding the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie and a dedicated cult following to the series it’s a surprise that only a single game based on the franchise was ever developed… and it is for the Atari 2600. The game couldn’t be any simpler you’re Leatherface and with your chainsaw you chase down unsuspecting victims that jumped out of a cloning machine. The only thing between Leatherface and his prey are randomly placed obstacles like fences, tumbleweed and wheelchairs. Even though you play as a chainsaw wielding killing machine something as simple as a cow skull trips Leatherface up.
When Leatherface finally catches up to a hapless person they fall to the ground and a tiny puddle of what looks like blood appears. It could be blood or it could just be hair, who knows. This one little scene is what kept the Texas Chainsaw Massacre from many store shelves. Wizard Games was forced to sell the game to only a few places instead of giving it mass distribution, which makes the cartridges a rarity.
The funniest thing about the game doesn’t happen until it’s “over”. What stops Leatherface from going on a pixilated killing spree is the fuel meter in the center of the screen. Each step drains a little fuel and revving up the chainsaw drains a lot of it. When the fuel runs out its game over. To add insult to injury one of the cloned teenagers kicks Leatherface in the ass and all you can do is helplessly watch. It’s so pathetic that you almost feel bad for Leatherface.
