The Lone Ranger (video game)

Infobox VG
title = The Lone Ranger


developer = Konami
publisher = Konami
designer =
engine =
released = vgrelease|NA=August 1991 [cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/data/563435.html| title = Release date | publisher = Game FAQs | date = | accessdate = 2008-08-14]
genre = Action, Run and gun, Platform, Adventure
modes = Single-player only
ratings = n/a (not rated)
platforms = NES
media = cartridge
requirements =
input = controller(s)

"The Lone Ranger" is an NES video game that is based on the TV show of the same name. Actual names of towns in Texas are used and the player must solve the case in 8 different episodes in order to save the day. Along with "Gilligan's Island", this game was made when licenses for vintage TV shows were being renewed. (At the time the game was made, the "Lone Ranger" rights were owned by Palladium Media Enterprises.)

Like in the real "Lone Ranger", senseless violence will get the player nowhere (and in fact, shooting a woman in this game will cost the player health and money) and he must rely on talking to people like a role-playing game in order to advance to the shooting parts.

The Lone Ranger begins the game with the following items:
*Short range rifle, which can be upgraded to medium and long range later in the game.
*Ten rounds (six shots per round) of standard ammunition. Can carry up to 50 rounds at a time.
*Five rounds of silver bullets, which unlike standard bullets, can cut through a target and keep going as well as do double damage, but they also cost twice as much as standard bullets. Can carry up to 50 rounds at a time.
*Five sticks of TNT, which acts similar to a hand grenade. Can carry up to ten at a time.
*Cash can be used to buy things at shops and to fully heal the player (for $50). Can carry up to $9999 at a time.

Point of view

The Lone Ranger video game was unique during its time in that it features many points of view during gameplay. Most of the time, the player saw the lone ranger from a top-down perspective, as he would travel through the country and walk through towns. At other times, the game would switch to a side scrolling view when the player was in a boss stage. On occasion, the view would even switch to a first person perspective and play similar to a First Person Shooter -- this mode could be played with either the Zapper light gun, or by moving a crosshair with the normal controller.

References