Operation Wolf (1987)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Operation Wolf (1987): The Arcade Classic That Defined the Lightgun Shooter Genre

Operation Wolf is a lightgun shooter arcade game developed and released by Taito in 1987. The game was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the most influential lightgun shooters of all time.

Gameplay

The player takes control of a soldier who must fight their way through six missions to rescue hostages from a terrorist organization. The game is played from a third-person perspective, and the player uses a lightgun to shoot enemies.

The game’s six missions are set in a variety of locations, including a jungle, a desert, and an airport. Each mission has a different objective, such as rescuing hostages, destroying enemy vehicles, or planting explosives.

The player’s character can take damage from enemy fire, and the game ends if the player’s health bar is depleted. The player can replenish their health by collecting power-ups.

Development

Operation Wolf was developed by a team led by Tomohiro Nishikado, who is also known for creating the classic arcade game Space Invaders. The game was inspired by the 1985 film Commando, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Nishikado wanted to create a game that was more realistic and immersive than previous lightgun shooters. He used a variety of techniques to achieve this, such as using digitized sprites and parallax scrolling.

Release

Operation Wolf was released in arcades in 1987. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it quickly became one of the most popular arcade games of all time.

The game was ported to a number of home platforms, including the NES, Sega Master System, and Commodore 64. The home versions of the game were not as successful as the arcade version, but they still sold well.

Legacy

Operation Wolf is considered to be one of the most influential lightgun shooters of all time. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay, challenging levels, and intense action have made it a classic.

The game has been praised for its graphics, which were some of the best available at the time of its release. The game’s sound effects and music are also highly regarded.

Operation Wolf has been cited as an inspiration for a number of other lightgun shooters, including Time Crisis and House of the Dead. The game has also been featured in a number of films and television shows.

Conclusion

Operation Wolf is a classic arcade lightgun shooter that still holds up today. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay, challenging levels, and intense action make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Additional Information

  • Operation Wolf was the first lightgun shooter to use digitized sprites.
  • The game’s soundtrack was composed by Tim Follin.
  • Operation Wolf was one of the first arcade games to feature a female protagonist.
  • The game has been ported to a number of home platforms, including the NES, Sega Master System, and Commodore 64.
  • Operation Wolf has been cited as an inspiration for a number of other lightgun shooters, including Time Crisis and House of the Dead.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Profile photo of Nish

Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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