Jackal (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Jackal


caption = European arcade version sales flyer.
developer = Konami
publisher = Konami
designer =
engine =
release = 1986
genre = Run and gun
modes = Single player, multiplayer (simultaneous)
cabinet = Upright
display = Raster, resolution: 224x240, 512 colors, vertical orientation
arcade system = Modified "Double Dribble" hardware
platforms = Arcade, NES, Famicom Disk System, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, IBM PC
media =
input = 8-way joystick, 2 buttonsnihongo|"Jackal"|特殊部隊ジャッカル|Tokushu Butai Jakkaru|lit. "Special Forces Unit Jackal", released in North America as "Top Gunner", is an overhead run and gun arcade game released by Konami in 1986. The NES version of the game retained the original title of "Jackal" for its release in North America and in the PAL region. The Famicom Disk System version of the game however, was retitled nihongo|"Final Commando: Akai Yōsai"|ファイナルコマンド　赤い要塞|Fainaru Komando Akai Akai Yōsai|lit. "Final Commando: The Red Fortress". Players take the role of soldiers in jeeps trying to rescue POW's. The game supports two players simultaneously, much like Konami's own "Contra".

Gameplay

The Jeep squad, made up of Team Green, Colonel Decker and Lieutenant Bob, and Team Brown, Sergeant Quint and Corporal Grey, is sent to rescue soldiers kept as hostages by the enemy. One or two players control the teams in an armed jeep, which must venture through several enemy strongholds to rescue comrades imprisoned by the enemy. In each of the six levels, the goal is to rescue POW's from various buildings and then transfer them to helicopter dust-off locations. Once the soldiers are secure, the player(s) must then proceed to defeat the boss at the end of each level. In the last level, there are two bosses that must be defeated.

As with most run and gun games, there is a point system that can grant the player extra lives depending on the score attained. Rescuing more prisoners yields a higher point bonus at the conclusion of the level. Each jeep can hold a total of eight prisoners and will not accept any more once capacity is reached. If a collision occurs with an enemy vehicle or the jeep is hit by an enemy bullet, a life will be lost. Some buildings contain one flashing prisoner; if this man is rescued, the jeep's primary weapon will be upgraded. In addition, if enough prisoners are rescued, a weapon upgrade will be yielded during the unloading process to the rescue helicopter. The initial primary weapon is a supply of pineapple grenades. The upgrades grant missiles and shrapnel-producing missiles. The secondary weapon is machine gun that can only be shot in one direction.

External links

*moby game|id=/jackal|name="Jackal"
* [http://www.arcadeflyers.net/?page=flyerdb&subpage=thumbs&id=4494 "Jackal"'s arcade flyers]
* [http://www.system16.com/konami_customchips.php] Details on Jackal's custom use of "Double Dribble" Hardware
*KLOV game|id=10139|name=Jackal
* [http://www.atarihq.com/tsr/special/jackal/jackal.html Comparison of The Jackal movie with the video game]
* [http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/jackal.htm Review of ZX Spectrum version]
*WoS game|id=0002567|name=Jackal