1980s
Jackal
1986 · Run and Gun · Arcade
Overview
Jackal is a classic 1980s run and gun game developed by Konami for Arcade.
Deep Dive
Jackal is a classic 1980s run and gun game developed by Konami for Arcade.
Developer Story
Jackal was developed by Konami in 1986, released in arcades as Top Gunner and later on NES as Jackal. Players drove a jeep through enemy territory rescuing prisoners of war, with a passenger who could fire in all directions while the driver aimed the mounted cannon forward. The two-player co-operative mode was intense and chaotic.
Did You Know?
- Jackal's jeep had two functions: a forward cannon for the driver and a grenade launcher for the passenger — co-operation used both simultaneously.
- Rescued prisoners upgraded the jeep's firepower by riding in the back — a risk-reward mechanic for filling the vehicle.
- Helicopter bosses required targeting with both weapons simultaneously — some enemies were only vulnerable to the passenger's grenades.
- The NES version was considered an exceptionally faithful port of the arcade original.
