Squish'em

Squish'em, also known as Squish'em Sam, landed on the MSX 1 in 1983 as a port of the Atari 8-bit original. Designed by Tony Ngo and published by Sirius Software, this action game followed their earlier title Sewer Sam. The MSX version brought the same frantic gameplay to a new audience, slotting into the early library of a platform that would become a haven for arcade-style conversions.

Players control a character who must navigate a series of screen-based environments, typically mazes or platforms, with the goal of eliminating enemies. The core mechanic involves squishing foes - often by jumping on them or dropping obstacles - while avoiding direct contact that costs a life. The action is quick, demanding precise movement and timing as enemy patterns grow more complex. Power-ups or score bonuses may appear, but the loop remains clear: survive and clear each screen.

For retro enthusiasts, Squish'em is a tidy example of early 80s arcade game design distilled for home systems. It's not a deep or varied title, but its straightforward challenge holds up for short sessions. On the MSX 1, where many games were ports of Western hits, it stands as a competent action game that fans of the era's maze-chasers should give a spin. Just don't expect the polish of later classics - this is raw, no-frills retro fun.