10 Video Games Nobody Has Beaten (Because It's Genuinely Impossible)

5. Smash TV - Arcade V1.0

Smash Tv Boss
Midway

1990's Smash TV was an odd, sci-fi dystopic top-down shooter. Inspired by Schwarzenegger film The Running Man, the setting is a futuristic gameshow where blood sports have become the norm. You, alongside a friend, will fight hordes of enemies to the death. Your prizes vary wildly from cash to toasters, and there's some tempting talk of something called "the Pleasure Dome".

Supposedly, if you were good enough, this would unlock after beating the final boss. Pretty straight forward objective, right? Collect enough keys, rack up enough points and make your way into this promised paradise.

However, there's actually no such thing. Despite harping on about it, it's not in the original arcade game because the developers didn't think that players would be good enough to get to the Pleasure Dome. Sure, Smash TV is tough but they underestimated hardcore arcade gamers who wouldn't back down from a challenge.

As such, the 2.0 release of the arcade version, as well as all subsequent home console ports, included the hidden bonus level. Finally, you could surround yourself with a legion of pixelated women! Was it worth it?

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Coming from a content creation background that now spans over two decades, Psy cut her teeth on personal video production and community radio. Originally joining the team as a writer and presenter, she added video editing duties to her responsibilities over time and became the longest-standing editor of the irreverent gaming show Tues Your Own Adventure. Psy has worked on many previews and reviews, long-form editorials (either her own, or supporting as an editor), as a frequent quizmaster and more. Praised for the two-pronged attack of her hard work ethic and light-hearted editing style, Psy is otherwise known as a font of retro video game knowledge which has caused her to rack up many quiz wins. Outside of WhatCulture, Psy runs First Aid Spray Podcast - a long-running channel that focuses on Resident Evil in all of it's forms. You can follow her on BlueSky at http://psywhite.bsky.social and Instagram at http://instagram.com/therealpsywhite