Jackal, released by Konami for the Nintendo Entertainment System, is one of the better run and gun style games for the NES.

The format is a top-down shooter where you take command of one (or two for two-player mode) jeeps and attempt to assault through one of the most hostile military environments the NES will throw at you. There are two weapons, a limited range machine gun that fires rounds to the top of the screen no matter what orientation the jeep is in, and a special weapon, which starts with grenades. Those grenades can be upgrade to missiles, missiles that explode left and right to cause more damage, and missiles that explode left, right, up and down to cause maximum damage. Once the jeep is destroyed, the player is reset with grenades and guns only. There are no upgrades for the machine gun.

A transport helicopter drops you off at the beginning of the game in a vaguely Central American looking map. Your objective is to attack through enemy held terrain, rescuing POWs along the way, dropping them off for extraction, and finally destroying the enemy's final weapon. Along the way, you're attacked by a host of infantry, jeeps and tanks, helicopters and attack planes, field guns, and even light speed boats and submarines. The jeep fits, somehow, unlimited rescued soldiers and there are weapon upgrades available if the jeep delivers all eight to a landing pad.

Jackal is fun. It's a game where you have to decide between shooting it out or running through the game. I played several times, once was to simply avoid the bullets and missiles flying at me. It's beatable both ways, though trying to fight your way often proves more difficult. The number of enemy rounds and cannonballs and explosives flying at you often makes maneuver difficult. The controls are responsive and you can make that little jeep dance on the map. Another nice point is you can go back down and left and right with the scrolling map. It's not Super Mario, where you're stuck and can't retreat if needed. There were plenty of times I need to run away to the bottom of the map and I could retreat without taking damage.

Lastly, the music may not age as well as some other games but the themes are upbeat, fast-paced, and enjoyable. It's easy to get lost in the game play with the music and the explosions and the speed. Enemy attacks seem to slide by the jeep and you continue to survive, even if you thought you were dead.

Give Jackal a shot. It's an excellent top-down shooter that encourages both attacking and avoiding. It's an enjoyable, sometimes overlooked diversion delivered by Konami for the NES.

Good review. I liked the format you used to write it. I also like the fact that it was detailed, yet not totally long-winded.

As far as this game goes, I love it. It's a great action shooter for its era. But really, you couldn't go wrong usually with action games from Konami back in those days.

With regards to the music. I do like it, but I will admit it's not as good as other Konami games from its time like Life Force/Gradius or Contra.

This is another one that looks really good. I'll have to look up some gameplay of it, as it looks familiar, and even if I haven't played it after all, it still sounds like my kind of game.

As for your review, you did a good job of covering all of the necessary points, explaining things, and keeping it simple all the while. It's to the point, without skimping on detail. Keep up the good work, man.

Oh man, I love Jackal!! Good review and good times!