Total Carnage

Total Carnage inherits and expands upon the classic twin-stick control scheme of Smash TV: one stick controls movement, and the other controls the direction of fire, allowing players to move and shoot in eight directions simultaneously. Unlike its predecessor, the game moves away from fixed-screen arenas to large, scrolling levels, offering more expansive environments and greater room for tactical maneuvering.

The game's core mechanic is balancing firepower and survival. Players face a relentless onslaught of mutant soldiers, tanks, and aircraft, and must constantly pick up temporary power weapons like rocket launchers and flamethrowers to maintain their combat effectiveness. The game encourages exploration, urging players to find keys, dog tags, and POWs hidden behind scenery objects. These collectibles are crucial for achieving the game's "best ending." The game's style is filled with satire and dark humor, presenting themes from the Cold War and the Gulf War in an exaggerated, cartoonish manner. Its iconic voice lines have also become classics.