Nightmare Zapping

About Nightmare Zapping

Nightmare Zapping is a horror game by the indie developer Maldo19, who first put it on itch.io in February 2023 and released the full game, with a second part, on Steam and itch.io in July 2023. It is played on a television: you sit in front of a mysterious set and flip through its channels, typing numbers to tune in.

Each channel shows a different short story about the people of a cursed town. Some are told like a visual novel, in text boxes over grainy pixel-art scenes; others turn into a choose-your-own-story, a little adventure game, a romantic date or an arcade game. Between them sit unknown channels with strange happenings, and a lot of static. The art is low-colour pixel work with rotoscoped animation, as if seen through an old screen.

Part 1 takes place in Canela Town, where mysterious disappearances have been happening and something perverse holds the whole town. Part 2 moves to nearby Laurel Town as it prepares for its summer festival, unaware that the same thing could happen there. Watching the stories and fitting them together is how you learn what is going on.

The store notes blood, body horror, alcohol abuse and mild language. It suits players who like analog horror built from broadcasts and tapes, and short horror stories in pixel art, such as Stories Untold or Amanda the Adventurer.

How to play Nightmare Zapping

1. Start the TV and flip through the channels with the mouse or by typing a channel number.
2. Watch or read the story on each channel, clicking to move the text on.
3. Play the minigames some channels turn into.
4. Look for the unknown and secret channels between the regular ones.
5. Piece together what the stories say about the town, then move on to Part 2.

Tips

• Try channel numbers that are not listed; there are secret channels to find.
• Read the notes and documents shown on screen closely; they tie the stories together.
• The itch.io demo shows whether the style is for you before buying.

Questions