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BUFFALO BILL'S RODEO GAMES

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

Game Type : Arcade; Bomb Submarines From Intricate Oil-Rigs

Authors : Kevin Blake & Jason Sobell

Standalone Release(s) : 1989: BUFFALO BILL'S RODEO GAMES, Tynesoft, £9.95

1991: BUFFALO BILL'S RODEO GAMES, Tynesoft, £3.99

Compilation Release(s) : None

Stated compatibility : Electron Side A, BBC Side B

Actual compatibility : As stated

Supplier : TYNESOFT, Unit 3 Addison Industrial Estate, Blaydon, TYNE & WEAR NE21 4TE. Tel: 091 414 4611

Disc compatibility : CDFS E00, DFS E00

Instructions

"Compete in six stunning Rodeo Games Events in this impressive simulation which brings all the magic of the Rodeo Games to the computer screen!"

TRICK SHOOTING

The object of this game is to shoot as many targets as possible until you either run out of ammunition or time. In the first half of the game, your targets are 'pop-up' western characters, such as gunfighters, sheriffs etc.

The second half of the game comprises of a man throwing bottles which spin in the air, these you shoot. Both the games scroll back and forth when you move your gunsight.

Keys: Z - Move target left X - Move target right

* - Move target up ? - Move target down

RETURN - Reload SPACE - Reload when required

KNIFE THROWING

This game is set against the backdrop of an Indian Reservation. Among the teepees is an Indian brave, and a squaw on the rotating wheel. Points are scored for hitting the wheel and not the squaw!

Keys: Z - Move target left X - Move target right

* - Move target up ? - Move target down

RETURN - Throws knife

BRONCO RIDING

In this game, you must try to stay on a wild Bronco (horse) for one minute. The Bronco jumps, spins, kicks, etc. in an attempt to throw you off. Should you fail to keep your balance, then you are spectacularly thrown through the air, to land with a bump!

Use Z, X, *, ? to counteract horse motions i.e. opposite to direction

shown by arrows.

CALF ROPING

This game is set at a rodeo show. You must chase a calf across the arena with your lass spinning as you go. When you catch up with the claf, you throw the lasso round its neck and pull back to stop it. If you fail to pull back quickly enough then you are dragged from the horse and across the area! The view of the arena is from directly above.

Keys: Z - Moves roper left X - Moves roper right

* - Moves roper up ? - Moves roper down

<RETURN> - Throws Rope

STEER WRESTLING

Set again in the rodea arena, this game is viewed from the side and above. You must chase a full grown steer on your horse. When reaching it, jump on it from your horse. If you manage to grab the steer, the game shifts to a window which displays you wrestling with the steer until you either bring it to the ground or it escapes.

Use <RETURN> to leap from horse, then use Z and X alternately to wrestle steer.

STAGE COACH RESCUE

The Stage has been hi-jacked by rogue Indians. You must chase the Stage, avoiding objects the Indians throw at you until you grab hold of the coach and climb aboard. You now fight it out with an Indian on top of the Coach. The victor stays aboard.

Tap Z and X alternately to move horse forward (you can hold X) and *, ? to move horse alongside coach. When beside coach hold <RETURN> to jump aboard. Slug it out with the Indian using X (block). * - High Punch and ? - Low Punch.

Instructions' Source : BUFALLO BILL'S RODEO GAMES (Tynesoft) Back & Inner Inlay

Review (Electron User) - "Yeee...Haaaaa!"

To say that BUFFALO BILL'S RODEO GAMES is an immaculately programmed and superbly presented package would be an understatement - this game is a classic. Not only are the six events extremely playable, they are also crammed with sound effects and illustrated with some of the best colour displays I have ever seen on the Electron.

Up to four players can enjoy the events, the first being the Trick Shooting, a difficult test of hand-eye co-ordination. Superimposed on a desert background is a floating gunsight, the vertical and horizontal movement of which is under your control.

One by one, a series of cardboard cut-out characters begin to flip up with increasing regularity and you must knock them down again before the brief time limit expires and they fall automatically. Variety is provided with the inclusion of good guys who should not be gunned down and vultures that can be plugged for a handsome bonus.

The fun continues in true western style as you enter part two of this event. A lone character tosses bottles into the air which act as flying targets and a real test of marksmanship.

Each event is followed by a resounding Yee-ha and very impressive league table. Staying with the target practice theme, we move on to event number two - the Knife Throwing.

Following a dramatic increase in scale we are treated to the view of an Indian squaw strapped tightly to a rotating wheel as she trustingly waits for her partner to launch eight-inch, razor-sharp blades in her general direction. The tension builds as each blade thuds into the spinning wheel, surely your luck - or should it be hers? - can't hold out much longer. Finally the inevitable happens and the badly judged projectile elicits a scream from the unfortunate assistant.

Calf Roping is the order of the day as we reach the half-way stage of Bill's Wild West extravaganza. An aerial view is used to follow the progress of galloping calf and pursuing cowboy. The trick is to ride alongside the animal and then throw a rope around its neck without taking a tumble yourself.

This is easily the most difficult event so far, since the mini steer has no intention of giving up peacefully and will try its best to unsaddle you - a technique at which it is most competent.

I found the Bronco Riding by far the briefest of the six events - especially when I was playing. Sat astride a fiercely bucking bronco, your sole objective is to stay in contact with your mount. An arrow system indicates the direction in which you are currently overbalancing, your job is to pound the key to move you in the opposite direction. It's not easy.

Steer Wrestling is similar in many respects to calf roping. A gallop at full speed followed by an athletic leap on to the charging steer and you are expected to pit your 12 stone frame against over a tonne of thrashing bone and muscle. No mean feast for Arnold Schwarznegger, yet your fearless reviewer's keyboard bashing technique was more than man enough for the job.

In event number six you are called upon to retrieve a stagecoach that has been stolen by rogue Indians. By pummelling the Z and X keys you gallop towards the speeding vehicle with the intention of leaping aboard when alongside. Unfortunately the Indian on the roof has other ideas and continually tosses the passenger's luggage in your path.

Once on the stagecoach you climb to the roof and slug it out with the renegade redskin. The loser is the one who falls from the still speeding coach.

All of the events consist of three separate rounds, often of increasing difficulty. A very welcome feature that Tynesoft implemented is the replay facility - at the end of the third round you are always offered an opportunity to play the complete event again.

BUFFALO BILL'S WILD WEST RODEO SHOW is the best multi-event game to be released for the Electron this year. It is a product that further reinforces Tynesoft's mastery of this genre of game. Yee-ha!

James Riddell

* * * Second Opinion * * * (Electron User)

Another in a long line of multi-part games from Tynesoft, and it's sure to be a winner. The variety of games, the superb graphics and addictive gameplay means you won't tire of this package as quickly as some of the cheaper offerings currently on sale.

Janice Murray

Sound ........................... 9

Graphics ........................ 9

Playability ..................... 9

Value for money ................ 10

Overall ......................... 9

"Electron User Golden Game"

ELECTRON USER 7. 1