Saddle up in Stampede, an arcade-style action game released for the Atari 2600 by Activision in 1981. You play as a cowboy riding alongside a restless herd, tasked with roping stray cattle of various colors and speeds before they slip past you. It is a fast-paced test of reflexes and crowd management, where letting too many calves pass will bring your roundup to an abrupt end.
How to Play
Your goal is to score points by lassoing cattle while preventing them from passing you on the left side of the screen. If three cattle slip by, the game is over. Move your horse up and down the trail to line up your throw, and avoid the stationary skulls that will trip you up and stall your movement. You can also “herd” slower cattle by riding closely behind them to push them forward, keeping them safely on screen while you deal with faster strays.
- Move: Arrow Keys (โโ)
- Lasso: Spacebar
- Select Game Variation: F11
- Reset Game: F12
Tips
- Prioritize the black Angus cattle; they move the fastest and require quick reactions, but they award the highest points.
- Use the herding mechanic to your advantage. Pushing lighter-colored, slower calves forward gives you more time to focus on the unpredictable black strays.
- Don’t blindly throw your lasso. A missed throw takes a moment to recoil, which can cost you precious time when multiple cattle are approaching.
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