Genre: Action
Developer: Sirius Software
Publisher: Interphase Technologies
Year: 1984
Platform: ColecoVision
Squish ‘Em Featuring Sam is an action game developed by Sirius Software and published by Interphase Technologies for the ColecoVision in 1984. The player controls Sam, who climbs a 48-story building to collect money while avoiding enemies and falling objects. The gameplay emphasizes vertical progression as Sam moves horizontally along girders and climbs upwards, with no ability to descend.
Enemies move horizontally across the girders, and various hazardous items such as bricks, hammers, tires, engines, dynamite, fire hydrants, televisions, and sinks fall from above, which can knock Sam out if not avoided. Players can temporarily “squish” enemies by jumping on them, rendering them harmless for a short period before they revive as white versions immune to squishing.
The game is notable for its early use of digitized speech on the ColecoVision, featuring voice samples like “SQUISH’EM!” when an enemy is squished, “WHOOPS!” when Sam is hit, and “MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!” when money is collected. This audio feature contributed significantly to the game’s charm and distinctiveness.
