Summary
- Release Year: 1981
- Genres: Arcade, Racing
- Platforms: Atari 2600, Intellivision
- Developers: Activision
- Publishers: Activision
Stampede (1981): The Classic Arcade Game That’s Still Fun Today
Stampede is a classic arcade game that was released in 1981. The objective of the game is to round up all of the cattle you encounter. To do so, the player must lasso each one in order to capture it. The player is initially only allowed to let two cattle pass; if a third one slips by, the game is over. An important caveat to this is that the player gets one extra free pass for every 1,000 points scored. So, if a player were at 2,000 points and had not yet let any cattle pass, then he or she would be allowed to let four cattle pass before the fifth one ended the game (assuming he or she did not reach 3,000). This makes it possible for an expert player to repeatedly beat the game – as after about 5,000 points or so the game essentially “resets,” and the same pattern is repeated.
Stampede was developed by Atari, Inc. and was one of the first arcade games to use a trackball for player control. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it has been ported to a variety of home platforms over the years.
Gameplay
Stampede is a simple game to learn, but it can be difficult to master. The player controls a cowboy on horseback, and the goal is to lasso and capture as many cattle as possible. The player can move the cowboy left and right, and he can also jump to avoid obstacles. The player must lasso each cow by moving the trackball in a circular motion. Once a cow is lassoed, the player must then pull the trackball back to capture it.
The player starts the game with three lives. If a cow escapes, the player loses one life. The player also loses a life if he or she is hit by an obstacle. The game ends when the player loses all three lives.
Scoring
The player scores points for each cow that he or she captures. The player also scores points for each obstacle that he or she avoids. The player can also score bonus points by lassoing multiple cows in a row.
Legacy
Stampede is a classic arcade game that is still fun to play today. The game’s simple gameplay and challenging difficulty make it a great choice for both casual and hardcore gamers. Stampede has been ported to a variety of home platforms over the years, and it is still available to purchase on modern consoles and mobile devices.
Tips for Playing Stampede
Here are a few tips for playing Stampede:
- Use the trackball to move the cowboy quickly and accurately.
- Lasso cows by moving the trackball in a circular motion.
- Pull the trackball back to capture a cow.
- Avoid obstacles by jumping over them.
- Lasso multiple cows in a row to score bonus points.
- Don’t let any cows escape, or you will lose a life.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to master Stampede and become a top cowboy!
Conclusion
Stampede is a classic arcade game that is still fun to play today. The game’s simple gameplay and challenging difficulty make it a great choice for both casual and hardcore gamers. If you’re looking for a fun and challenging game to play, then Stampede is definitely worth checking out.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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