Summary
- Release Year: 1990
- Genres: Adventure
- Platforms: Amiga, DOS
- Developers: Level 9 Computing
- Publishers: Ocean Software
Billy the Kid (1990)
Released in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Billy the Kid is a Western action game developed by Kemco and published by Nintendo. The player takes control of Billy the Kid, a legendary outlaw of the American Old West, as he fights his way through hordes of enemies in order to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend, Sallie Chisum.
The game is a side-scrolling shooter in which Billy can walk, jump, and shoot in eight directions. He can also pick up a variety of weapons, including pistols, shotguns, and dynamite. Billy must use his weapons to defeat the enemies that stand in his way, including cowboys, Indians, and even the law.
Billy the Kid is known for its challenging gameplay and its innovative use of the NES hardware. The game’s graphics are colorful and detailed, and the music is catchy and memorable. Billy the Kid was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered to be one of the best Western games ever made.
Gameplay
Billy the Kid is a side-scrolling shooter in which the player controls Billy the Kid as he fights his way through hordes of enemies. Billy can walk, jump, and shoot in eight directions, and he can also pick up a variety of weapons, including pistols, shotguns, and dynamite.
The game is divided into six stages, each with its own unique setting and enemies. Billy must defeat all of the enemies in each stage in order to progress to the next one. The stages are:
- Stage 1: Billy’s hometown of Silver City, New Mexico
- Stage 2: The desert
- Stage 3: An Indian village
- Stage 4: A ghost town
- Stage 5: A mine
- Stage 6: Billy’s hideout
The final stage is a showdown with Billy’s arch-nemesis, Sheriff Pat Garrett. Billy must defeat Garrett in order to rescue Sallie and clear his name.
Weapons
Billy can pick up a variety of weapons throughout the game, including:
- Pistols: Billy’s default weapon. Pistols have a short range, but they are accurate and easy to use.
- Shotguns: Shotguns have a longer range than pistols, but they are less accurate. Shotguns are effective against groups of enemies.
- Dynamite: Dynamite is the most powerful weapon in the game. Dynamite can be used to destroy walls and obstacles, and it can also be used to kill enemies.
Billy can only carry one weapon at a time. He can switch weapons by picking up a new one.
Enemies
Billy will face a variety of enemies throughout the game, including:
- Cowboys: Cowboys are the most common enemy in the game. Cowboys are armed with pistols and shotguns.
- Indians: Indians are another common enemy in the game. Indians are armed with bows and arrows, and they can also throw tomahawks.
- Lawmen: Lawmen are the most dangerous enemies in the game. Lawmen are armed with rifles and shotguns, and they are very accurate.
Billy must use his weapons and his wits to defeat the enemies that stand in his way.
Graphics and Sound
Billy the Kid’s graphics are colorful and detailed. The game’s backgrounds are varied and interesting, and the character sprites are well-animated. The game’s music is catchy and memorable, and it helps to create a sense of atmosphere and excitement.
Reception
Billy the Kid was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its challenging gameplay, its innovative use of the NES hardware, and its catchy music. Billy the Kid was one of the best-selling games for the NES, and it is still considered to be one of the best Western games ever made.
Legacy
Billy the Kid has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. The game’s challenging gameplay and innovative use of the NES hardware helped to set a new standard for Western games. Billy the Kid has also been cited as an influence on a number of other games, including Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.
Billy the Kid is a classic Western game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s challenging gameplay, catchy music, and memorable characters make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
7/10
Art
Cover Art
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