Big Buck Hunter

Big Buck Hunter
Developer(s) Play Mechanix, Inc
Publisher(s) Raw Thrills
Platform(s) Arcade

Big Buck Hunter is an arcade hunting game released by Play Mechanix, Inc. in 2000. The well-received game spawned a series of sequels including Big Buck Hunter: Shooter's Challenge, Big Buck Hunter II: Sportsman's Paradise, Big Buck Hunter: Call of the Wild, Big Buck Hunter Pro (2006), Big Buck Safari (2008), Big Buck Hunter Pro: Open Season, and Big Buck World (2010), which combined the content of Big Buck Hunter Pro: Open Season and the newly updated Big Buck Safari: Outback. In 2012, Big Buck HD was released. This latest installment includes elements from both Big Buck Hunter Pro and Big Buck Safari in high-definition.[1] In Fall of 2009, Play Mechanix partnered with Merge Interactive to release an iOS version of Big Buck Hunter Pro for the iPhone. The success of the app warranted the 2011 release of an iOS version of Big Buck Safari made for both iPhone and iPad. Both of the iOS games allow the user to see where the closest arcade machines are to the users current location. Additionally, the versatile Big Buck Hunter franchise has grown to include "Plug N Play" Games and a Nintendo Wii version published by Jakks Pacific.

The initial series of games from 2000-2006 operated on a single gun platform and allowed four players to compete round robin style through various treks and bonus stages. Big Buck Hunter Pro and Big Buck Safari introduced a two gun platform, allowing head-to-head competition in addition to a variety of new animals and critters to hunt.

No matter the version, the game centers on a player's ability to shoot up to three bucks a stage without shooting a doe or female animal, thus ending the player's turn prematurely. Later versions such as Big Buck Hunter Pro and Big Buck Safari also allow for critter shooting and trophy hunting (Safari only).

Stern Pinball also released a pinball game based on this theme in 2010.

Beginning in 2008, a World Championship Tournament was introduced. Regional Qualifying tournaments occur in August and September, with winners advancing to the World Championship Tournament, which occurs every October in Chicago. On November 10, 2012, the Big Buck Hunter World Tournament was held in the Altman Building in New York, NY.[2] This marked the first time the tournament was held outside of Chicago. The World Tournament's competition was on Big Buck HD machines.

Big Buck Hunter Pro

Moose Adventure

Elk Adventure

Whitetail Deer Adventure

Big Horn Sheep Adventure

Prong Horn Antelope Adventure

Caribou Adventure

Bonus and Tricks

Trophy Club Features

Starting in September 2007, Big Buck Hunter Pro game cabinets could be modified to be on the CoinUp Network. Being on the CoinUp Network allowed the games to offer a number of extra features, called 'Trophy Club Features'. There are a number of ways to tell if a game cabinet is connected to the CoinUp Network.

Big Buck Hunter game cabinets that have been connected to the CoinUp Network offer several new kinds of gameplay to the player.

Trophy Club Games

When starting a Big Buck Hunter game that has been connected to the CoinUp Network, one of the Game Selection Screens will ask the player if they want their game to be a 'Trophy Club' game. This means all the stats of the game will be recorded into the player's permanent player account. Players will also be shown current national high scores, personal bests, as well as scores of their friends (via their Hunting Party). Trophy Club games cost the player an additional $0.50 to play. Once players select to play a Trophy Club game, they will be asked to log in to their Player Account. Logging in to their player count consists of entering a 10-digit pin (the game suggests using your cellphone number for ease of remembering) and your birthdate (MM/DD). Player's scores, stats, rankings, and other information are available online at www.bigbuckhunter.com.

Tournaments

Big Buck Hunter game cabinets that have been connected to the CoinUp Network can support local and national tournaments. If a game cabinet is participating in a current tournament, the 'Tournaments' button will appear on the first Game Selection Screen. After selecting the Tournament button, the player can scroll through all tournaments currently playing on that game cabinet. The Big Buck Hunter National Tournament runs monthly (usually from the 7th to the 27th of each month). Players can find out about current tournament, prizes, participating locations and follow their tournament ranking at the Big Buck Hunter Website.

Hunting Parties

Big Buck Hunter Players can form groups called 'Hunting Parties' via the Big Buck Hunter website. They can choose a name, slogan, and logo for their Hunting Parties. From then on, anytime they play a Trophy Club or Tournament game, they will be able to view their friends scores while they play. They can compare their scores at each site against their friends (pull the pump on the Site Select screen to view your friends scores).

Hidden Modes

If playing a Trophy Club game, players can unlock hidden gameplay modes. After registering, at the 'Welcome to Trophy Club' screen that shows your stats and scores, hold the pump + trigger while pointing the gun at the screen. This will bring up an interface to select various player options. Different player options can be unlocked based on number of games played. Current Player Options available: Alternate Does

Buck Poker 1 playing card awarded for every buck shot Tournament game scores and Trophy Club Hunter Hero scores will not be accepted if a hidden mode has been selected.

The Bonus Round in Whitetail Deer Adventure, Duck Hunt, pays homage to the NES game of the same name, including a dog that jumps to the bushes. The dog, however, does not pop up on each ducks shot down, and does not laugh at the player when they fail to shoot any ducks, much to the players' relief.

External links

Big Buck Player Websites

Social Media Websites

Company Websites

iPhone Versions Websites

Plug N Play Version Website

Unofficial Websites

Game News

References

  1. "BigBuckHunterHD". Play Mechanix. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  2. "Big Buck HD World Tournament Rules" (PDF). PlayMechanix. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
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