Gun.Smoke

Released by Capcom in November 1985 for arcades, this title is a hardcore action game set in a rugged wilderness that still bears the traces of the gold rush. Players control Billy, a dual-wielding protagonist, as he hunts down wanted criminals across ten distinct stages. The game's defining feature is its unique control scheme, which assigns a specific firing direction to each of the three action buttons. Mastering technical maneuvers, such as pressing buttons simultaneously, adds significant depth to the gameplay. The formidable enemies blocking the player's path and the final, life-or-death battle against the Wingate family captivated players of the era.

Once a bustling town fueled by the gold rush, it has since been devastated by the slaughter of bandits hunting for gold dust. Yearning for peace, the citizens pooled their money to place a bounty on the gang leaders, commissioning their defeat. Answering this call, 21-year-old bounty hunter Billy embarks on a solo mission to fight the evil army and save the town.