Introduction
Released in 1979, Sheriff is one of Nintendo’s earliest arcade games and a unique entry in the pre-Donkey Kong era. Blending simple shooting mechanics with a Wild West setting, the game put players in the role of a lone sheriff defending a town from invading bandits, showcasing Nintendo’s experimentation with character-driven action before its global breakout.
Development and History
- Developer: Nintendo R&D1
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: 1979
- Hardware: Custom Nintendo discrete logic board
Sheriff was developed by Nintendo’s Research & Development 1 team, with Gunpei Yokoi supervising and Genyo Takeda contributing to the design. While often compared to Taito’s earlier Western Gun (also known as Gun Fight), Sheriff was an original creation by Nintendo. It marked one of the first attempts by the company to create a character-based shooter with more expressive animation and personality.
Gameplay Video
Gameplay and Mechanics
In Sheriff, the player controls the titular sheriff tasked with defending a town square from a group of 16 bandits that circle the perimeter and fire inward.
Gameplay features:
- Fixed screen format with a top-down view of the sheriff in the center
- Two-directional control: joystick for movement, dial or buttons for aiming and firing in eight directions
- Enemies gradually break through fences to close in on the sheriff
- Bonus points awarded for rescuing the captured damsel
- Additional points for eliminating all enemies before the time expires
The challenge escalates with enemy speed, aggressive shooting patterns, and destructible cover.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Although Sheriff wasn’t a blockbuster hit internationally, it holds a significant place in Nintendo’s arcade history:
- Early example of Nintendo experimenting with character-based gameplay
- Influenced later shooters and control schemes, especially dual-direction aiming
- Elements and sprites referenced in later games such as WarioWare and Super Smash Bros.
- Part of Nintendo’s path leading to the success of Donkey Kong in 1981
- Known for its quirky sound effects and expressive character animation for the time
Fun Facts
- The sheriff character is sometimes nicknamed “Mr. Jack” in fan circles, though not officially named in the arcade release
- The game’s sound chip created distinctive beeps and “twangy” Western effects
- Appeared as a microgame in the WarioWare series, introducing it to new audiences
- A rare upright cabinet version exists, alongside cocktail and cabaret formats
Conclusion
Sheriff may not have reached the legendary status of Nintendo’s later arcade hits, but it’s a critical step in the company’s early innovation arc. Its gameplay, dual-direction control, and character design foreshadowed the creative risks that would define Nintendo's approach in the years to come.