Gumshoe (video game)
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| Gumshoe | |
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| Developer(s) | Nintendo R&D1[1] |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Platform(s) | NES |
| Release date | 1986 |
| Genre(s) | Shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: N/A |
| Input methods | Nintendo Zapper |
Gumshoe is a video game developed and published by Nintendo for the NES and released in 1986 in the United States, and the 15th June 1988 in Europe. Gumshoe is played using the NES Zapper.
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[edit] Story
Mr. Stevenson is an ex-FBI agent turned detective. He receives a ransom note from Mafia boss, King Dom, who has kidnapped Stevenson's daughter, Jennifer. Stevenson must collect the five Black Panther Diamonds within 24 hours in order to see his daughter again.
[edit] Gameplay and strategy
Mr. Stevenson walks continuously to the right, and will jump if shot with the NES Zapper. The player must also shoot enemies as they appear on screen. Shooting Mr. Stevenson to make him jump will not subtract from the player's ammunition. Shooting obstacles, or an empty area, however, will subtract one bullet from the total. Having Mr. Stevenson grab red balloons will add bullets.
There are four stages in the game, with one Black Panther Diamond in each, with the exception of the fourth level which has two. The path is non-linear, changing depending on the path Mr. Stevenson takes (upper or lower). The four stages include a land level, a sky level, a sea level and a jungle level.
You may occasionally encounter Lucky Birds. Shooting the birds and having Mr. Stevenson catch them can give him special abilities, signified by the color of his trenchcoat. For example, if Mr. Stevenson's trenchcoat has changed to pink, he has temporary invincibility.
As with all lightgun games, the distance from the screen greatly affects success. Gumshoe, being a high action game with multiple objects to shoot, required the player to either be very skilled, or place the gun directly at the television screen with little or no space.
With no saves and limited number of lives, it was very difficult for Stevenson to defeat Zulie unless he is able to drink a potion from a Lucky Bird and preserve its abilities for his battle with Zulie. Additionally, Stevenson needed a number of bullets to successfully defeat Zulie.
[edit] The Lucky Bird
Only roughly 8 Lucky Birds appear in the game. 5 of them appear on the first level and they are either Power Drinks or Roast Chickens. The Helmet appears on the second level. The Super Shoes or another Power Drink appear on the third level. Sometimes, a Power Drink appears on the fourth level.
If Stevenson bumps into the Lucky Bird, he dies. They can be destroyed with one shot, sometimes making a Bonus Character appear.
Power Drink- One of the Bonus Characters that Lucky Bird produces. When Stevenson drinks this, he is energized until he hits an obstacle. He turns pink allowing one free hit. If he drinks 5 Power Drinks, he becomes green allowing 5 free hits. To win, it is rather important for Stevenson to become green on the first level.
Helmet- One of the Bonus Characters that Lucky bird produces. When Stevenson wears this, it increases his power of resistance against Falling Rocks and Time Bomb attacks.
Super Shoes- One of the Bonus Characters that Lucky Bird produces. When Steveson wears these, he cannot be harmed by some skulls.
Roast Chicken- Sometimes this appears when Lucky Bird is shot down. When Stevenson eats this, points are earned.
[edit] References
- ^ Calderon, Anthony. The Nintendo Development Structure N-Sider Retrieved on 2008-03-13
