History Main / SmashingSurvival

Smashing Survival is where in order to break free of an enemy's grip or shake loose from a trap you fell into, you have to either smash the buttons, frantically spin the analog stick, or a combo of both. This element can be OK when used sparingly, but if used for every enemy or simply used too much, say hello to broken controller buttons/sticks and finger cramps. Wrist cramps can occur as well if this trope is used for the waggling effect on the {{Wii}} or [=PS3=] controllers.

* This is how the revival mechanic for ''VideoGame/FreedomPlanet2'' is activated. Just keep in mind that, unless you have the Strong Revival item, you're coming back with a brief bit of MercyInvincibility and your LastChanceHitPoint, so try not to get wasted again.

You're walking down a narrow corridor and everything looks normal. Nothing growing on the walls, no pool of blood on the floor, you move on when BAM! A huge monster, insane psychopath or malevolent spirit attacks you from behind and is tearing you to pieces. How do you break free?

Cue the Smashing Survival.

* It would be easier to list a WrestlingGame that didn't employ this to get out of holds, pins, and general stun. That is, if there were examples.

You're walking down a narrow corridor and everything looks normal. Nothing growing on the walls, no pool of blood on the floor, you move on when BAM! A huge monster glomps you from behind and is tearing you to pieces. How do you break free?

* ''VideoGame/FatalFrame'' has it that if you smash the Confirm button X for PS2 and A for {{Xbox}} on II, hit R1 for III, and [[{{Waggle}} waggle]] the Wii-mote on IV at the right moment, you can shake off the attacking ghost without taking damage. However, all three games require the Evade function equipped to do so. The first game? Good luck with those shots!

[[AC: Action]]

* [[AvertedTrope Averted]] in ''Franchise/StarWars: VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed'', in the Wii version at least. Any situation that would usually fall under this trope is resolved by quickly yet calmly rotating the remote or nunchuck into a specific position and thrusting it forward, repeated with more controller positions for more difficult [[RuleOfCool and thus more awesome]] tasks.

[[AC: Action Adventure]]

[[AC: Fighting Games]]

* [[AvertedTrope Averted]] almost entirely in [[VideoGame/FireProWrestling Fire Pro Wrestling Returns]]. Unless your character is in a "test of strength" with another, button mashing will do you no good, and [[AllThereInTheManual the manual explicitly states this.]] Escaping a grapple or pin revolves around timing your button presses, as opposed to smashing them into the controller.

[[AC: Hack and Slash]]

[[AC: Horror]]

[[AC: Minigame Games]]

[[AC: MMORPG]]

[[AC: Platformer]]

* The fight with Crystal Snail in ''VideoGame/{{Mega Man X}}2'' uses this; you have to button mash to escape his Crystal Hunter. Likewise, if you get caught by Crush Crawfish's crushing pincers in ''X3'', you have to do this if you want to minimize your damage.

[[AC: Racing Games]]

[[AC: RPG]]

[[AC: Shooter]]

[[AC: Sports Games]]

[[AC: Stealth Based Games]]

[[AC: Wide Open Sandbox]]

* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4'' has the Microwave Corridor, though you'll be [[TearJerker very aware]] that it's coming.

Cue the SmashingSurvival.

SmashingSurvival is where in order to break free of an enemy's grip or shake loose from a trap you fell into, you have to either smash the buttons, frantically spin the analog stick, or a combo of both. This element can be OK when used sparingly, but if used for every enemy or simply used too much, say hello to broken controller buttons/sticks and finger cramps. Wrist cramps can occur as well if this trope is used for the waggling effect on the {{Wii}} or [=PS3=] controllers.

** Ditto wiimote waving and [[ViewersAreMorons wrist straps]] later on.

** There's a [[ThatCameOutWrong lot of rubbing to get released]] in [[TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks Spirit Tracks]], [[ManEatingPlant Fire Baba's]] eating you, [[ExtremeOmnivore Like Likes]] eating you, basically everything trying to eat you. [[spoiler: Plus driving your sword into the BiggerBad's SKULL]]
** When Moldarach of ''TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'' grabs you, you have to shake the Wiimote and Nunchuck up and down to simulate Link smashing his sword and shield against the giant claw.

[[AC: RPG]]

* ''PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' has the Great Marsh, where you have to mash buttons and toggle the d-pad to get unstuck from the bog squares.

* ''1080°: Avalanche'' requires you to spin your control stick in an effort to avoid falling over from moderately flubbed landings.

* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' has a "break free" mechanic, where anything immobilizing you(Yoshi Egg, Donkey Kong's grip, Master Hand grabbing you) is cured faster by mashing every single button on the controller(or messing with the control stick). [[ComputersAreFast The computer takes advantage of this, and puts in commands faster than is humanly possible.]]

* several of the big monsters from ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' have attacks that pin the player if they connect. Players who are pinned lie helpless on the ground as the monster attempts to eat them, which not only deals damage to them but also restores the monster's stamina in the process. The player can mash buttons to escape, or alternatively throw a dung bomb, which stuns the monster and lets the player escape.

* ''HouseOfTheDead 4'' requires you to shake the gun to break free of an enemy's grip, get up when knocked down, or manipulate certain objects.

* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' has this for when certain monsters pin you in order to escape with minimal damage, and there are abilities (like Felyne Slider) that make this easier. The alternative is to pack Dung Bombs.

* In ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum'', you need to smash a button to free yourself when the insane inmates jump on your back or when [[spoiler: PoisonIvy manages to grab you in her respective boss battle]].

Not to be confused with ButtonMashing, where the entire game is like this.

** ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'' is equally guilty with the executioner majini among others. The executioner majini even does ''both'' smashing survival and PressXToNotDie within the same attack sequence!

** ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilOutbreak'' uses this for any enemy with an attack that grabs the player, which include the majority of enemy types in the game. Spinning the sticks and hitting buttons will make your character throw the enemy back and reduce the amount of damage taken, while simply waiting will have the enemy deal the full damage of the attack and leave them ready for a follow up.

** ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilOutbreak'' uses this for any enemy with an attack that grabs the player, including the basic zombies. Spinning the sticks and hitting buttons will make your character throw the enemy back and reduce the amount of damage taken, while simply waiting will have the enemy deal the full damage of the attack and leave them ready for a follow up.

* Hammering the "use" key is how you shake off Choking Hands in ''VideoGame/{{Blood}}'' and Bone Leeches in the sequel.