10 Greatest NES Video Games Of 1985
6. Hogan's Alley
The NES Zapper is one of the most iconic pieces of Nintendo hardware so it's worth noting that of over 700 licenced games on the system less than 20 were compatible.
Many of these were Zapper optional with only Barker Bill's Trick Shooting, Duck Hunt, Freedom Force, Gotcha, Gumshoe, Laser Invasion, Shooting Range, To The Earth, Wild Gunman and Hogan's Alley being totally lightgun centric. To say these games were a mixed bag would be generous.
Hogan's Alley stands as one of the better titles, pitched halfway between a police training exercise and a wild west style quick-draw game. Often unfairly seen as the "other" NES zapper game, it actually is a colourful and characterful slice of fun that has more depth than its more famous rival feature three separate and different gameplay modes (shooting gallery, city simulation and trick shots).
The player must test their aim and reflexes shooting cardboard cutouts of gangsters in the first two modes while avoided their fellow officers and innocent civilians while shooting falling cans in the third.
The NES Zapper was the piece of hardware that all kids wanted back in the NES's heyday and Hogan's Alley does a fine job of showing off its capabilities.