Monster Smash

About

Monster Smash is a 1982 arcade game where you navigate a graveyard to trap mischievous monsters. The action takes place on a single screen split into four platform rows. Most levels feature three rows with gravestones. By rotating sections of these platforms, you alter the path of incoming monsters, forcing them to drop toward the bottom. Pressing fire activates gravestones to bob up and down. When a monster collides with one, it's captured. Let too many reach the right side of the screen and you’ll lose. A meter tracks escaped monsters. Capture enough to advance through nine selectable levels, each with shifting layouts and increasing difficulty. The game’s clever use of directional platform shifts and timing-based captures set it apart in early 80s arcade design. Though simple, its mechanics demand precision and quick reflexes. Playing on retro systems like the C64 or Apple II, it feels brisk and punishing, with no second chances. Short levels keep the tension tight, and choosing starting difficulty adds replay. While not widely remembered today, fans of old-school puzzle-action hybrids might find it surprisingly addictive for its era.