Barker Bill's Trick Shooting (1990-)

• Developer: Nintendo

• Publisher: Nintendo

• Genre: Shooting

• Composer: Hirokazu Tanaka

Barker Bill’s Trick Shooting for the NES was developed and published by Nintendo in 1985. This title was designed specifically as a light gun shooting game, intended to be played with the NES Zapper accessory, a gun-shaped controller that allowed players to interact more directly with on-screen targets. The game was part of Nintendo’s early efforts to showcase the Zapper’s capabilities and offer a different style of gameplay compared to the traditional NES controller-based games.

The game places players in the role of a sharpshooter tasked with shooting various targets such as bottles, cans, and characters that appear on the screen. The gameplay is straightforward but engaging, revolving around accuracy and timing to hit moving or stationary targets before running out of ammunition or time. Barker Bill’s Trick Shooting drew inspiration from carnival shooting galleries and fairground games, translating that experience into a video game format. The use of the Zapper was critical, as it provided a more immersive and tactile method of aiming and shooting, making the game feel like an authentic trick shooting challenge.

Gameplay features include multiple rounds with increasing difficulty, different target types that test the player’s precision, and a limited amount of ammo that adds pressure to make each shot count. The game’s simple but colorful graphics were typical of early NES titles, and the soundtrack consisted of short, catchy tunes that played between rounds, maintaining a light and upbeat atmosphere. The sound effects of gunshots and target hits were key to providing feedback to the player, reinforcing the shooting gallery feel.

Barker Bill’s Trick Shooting did not have a prequel but was part of the first wave of games supporting the NES Zapper. It did not spawn any direct sequels but helped establish the Zapper as a unique accessory for the NES, leading to other light gun games like Duck Hunt and Wild Gunman. Promotion for the game focused on demonstrating the fun and novelty of the Zapper, often bundled or marketed alongside the accessory itself. While it was a simple title, it was well received for its intended purpose, providing an enjoyable and accessible experience that highlighted the interactive potential of the NES hardware.

Images from MobyGames