Gunsmoke is a classic NES game developed by Capcom that is a unique cowboy-themed shooter. The game starts in the town of Hicksville, and the player takes control of a cowboy for hire tasked with bringing in the bounties on wanted men. The game is a vertical shooter where the player is able to move around freely with the direction pad. With the press of the B button, the player shoots their guns off to the left, and with the press of the A button, they shoot their guns off to the right. Pressing both A and B at the same time shoots forward.
The game advances quickly, therefore the player needs quick reflexes to succeed at any level. Although there is constant shooting, the gameplay is action-packed and fun. The player gains money for murdering bad guys rather than points. The unique money concept adds balance between upgrading weapons and saving the money for a good score. The player has the option to purchase a shotgun that works like a spread shot, a machine gun that fires continuously, a horse that moves them quickly and gives them an extra hit, and a shotgun.
Both the bosses’ patterns and the randomly appearing foes that must be avoided must be learned. They only take a few blows, but they are only exposed sometimes. It is not logical for the cowboy to make any money in the long run if the payoff for defeating each boss is often equal to the price of the poster the player purchased.
The game’s visuals are at best mediocre. The levels have a western motif and include a town, a canyon, and an indigenous camp in the third level. All of the levels have a brown appearance, yet this is effective since it makes the characters and bullets stand out against the background. The game’s pleasant soundtrack contributes to the western-themed game’s ambiance. Although the sound effects are nothing exceptional, they certainly resemble 8-bit firearms.
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The later levels are demanding and make it challenging for the player to advance. Before facing the boss, the player must repeatedly replay the levels to earn money for improvements. The cost of the wanted posters in the latter stages is exorbitant and makes it tough for the player to buy them if they also want upgrades, which are required for basic survival in the later levels. The conundrum of having to choose between upgrading and purchasing wanted posters can be annoying and may discourage some players.
To wrap up, Gunsmoke is a classic NES game that provides a fun and distinctive gameplay experience. Even while it might not be the best game available, it is definitely worth a shot, especially for fans of western-themed games. The use of money and the delicate balance between purchasing upgrades and wanted posters bring a new degree of strategy to the action, elevating it above the level of mindless shooting. Gunsmoke is undoubtedly worth checking out if you’re seeking for a hard game that provides something different from the conventional shoot-’em-ups.
Summary
Gunsmoke is an action-packed cowboy game with unique mechanics that make it stand out from other classic NES games. The player takes control of a cowboy for hire tasked with bringing in bounties on wanted men. The game is a vertical shooter with fast gameplay and the ability to move around freely. Instead of gaining points for killing enemies, the player receives money to buy weapon upgrades and other items from townspeople. The money mechanic adds a unique balance between buying weapon upgrades or holding onto the money for a high score. The game’s music is catchy, and the levels have a western-themed atmosphere. However, the graphics are average at best. The game’s difficulty increases in later levels, making it challenging for the player to progress.
