What is the main objective in Jackal?

The main objective in Jackal is to rescue Prisoners of War (POWs) from enemy territory and deliver them to extraction helicopters, ultimately destroying the enemy's main fortress.

How do I upgrade my weapons in Jackal (NES)?

In the NES version, you upgrade your secondary weapon (grenades/rockets) by rescuing special 'flashing POWs' found in huts. The upgrade path is Grenades -> Rockets -> Side-to-side exploding rockets -> Up, down, and side-to-side exploding rockets.

What happens if my jeep is destroyed in the NES version?

If your jeep is destroyed in the NES version, you will return to the game with the basic grenades as your secondary weapon, regardless of any previous upgrades.

Can I run over enemies in Jackal?

Yes, you can run over infantry (enemy soldiers) with your jeep, which is an effective strategy for dealing with them, allowing you to conserve your main weapons for tougher threats.

Are there any hidden bonuses in Jackal?

Yes, there are hidden star icons that can be found by exploding weapons in their vicinity. Green stars grant an extra life, orange stars destroy all on-screen enemies, and flashing stars instantly upgrade your weapon to its highest level.

Introduction: Operation Jackal

"Jackal," originally released as "Top Gunner" in arcades in 1986 and later ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1988, is a classic overhead run-and-gun shooter developed by Konami. In this game, you are part of the elite Jackal squad, a four-man team tasked with infiltrating enemy strongholds to rescue captured soldiers. Your mission involves driving an armed jeep through various hostile environments, extracting POWs, and delivering them to safety.

Gameplay Basics: Your Jeep and Mission

Players control a military jeep, which is manned by a driver and a gunner, though the characters are not visible in the sprite art. The primary objective is to penetrate enemy lines, rescue as many POWs as possible, and transport them to helicopter dust-off locations. The ultimate goal is to destroy the enemy's main fortress, known as Checkpoint Zulu, at the end of the sixth level. The NES version features six distinct stages, each with a helipad and its own boss battle.

Controls

The controls for the NES version of Jackal are straightforward:

D-Pad: Moves the jeep in eight directions.

B Button: Fires your primary weapon, the machine gun.

A Button: Launches your secondary weapon, which starts as grenades and can be upgraded to rockets or bazookas.

Select Button: Used to choose between one or two-player mode.

Start Button: Pauses the mission.

Jackal can be played by one or two players simultaneously.

Weapons and Power-ups

Your jeep is equipped with two main weapons:

Machine Gun: This weapon fires quick pellets but only shoots upward, regardless of your jeep's direction, and has a short range.

Secondary Weapon (Grenades/Missiles): Initially, you fire slow-moving grenades, limited to one on screen at a time. This weapon is crucial for destroying most enemies in one hit.

Weapon Upgrades (NES):

In the NES version, your secondary weapon can be upgraded multiple times by rescuing special "flashing POWs" found in huts.

1. Grenades -> Rockets: The first upgrade turns your grenades into rockets. 2. Rockets -> Side-to-Side Exploding Rockets: The next upgrade makes your rockets explode from side to side upon impact. 3. Side-to-Side Exploding Rockets -> Up, Down, and Side-to-Side Exploding Rockets: The final upgrade provides a wider blast radius, exploding in multiple directions.

If your jeep is destroyed in the NES version, you will return to the game with grenades, regardless of your previous power-up level.

Hidden Stars:

Throughout the levels, you can find hidden star icons by causing a weapon to explode in their vicinity. These stars provide various effects:

Green Star: Grants one extra life.

Orange Star: Destroys all enemies currently on the screen.

Flashing Star: Instantly upgrades your weapon to the highest level.

Rescuing Prisoners of War (POWs)

Rescuing POWs is central to your mission.

Locating POWs: They are held inside buildings. You must destroy parts of these buildings to release them.

Collecting POWs: Once released, POWs will exit the building one at a time. Drive your jeep over them to pick them up.

Delivery: Transport your collected POWs to designated helipads, where a helicopter will pick them up. You receive 500 points per POW delivered to the chopper, and an additional 2000 points for every POW rescued upon completing the stage.

Bonus Lives: Extra jeeps (lives) can be added after rescuing a predetermined number of POWs.

POW Loss: If your jeep is destroyed while carrying POWs, some will be killed, while others may escape and wander the screen.

Enemy Threats and How to Deal with Them

You will face a variety of enemy forces:

Infantry: Enemy soldiers carrying rifles. These are the weakest enemies and can be destroyed with one bullet or by running them over with your jeep.

Tanks: Come in different types (e.g., brown, gray) and require multiple hits from your secondary weapon.

Cannons: Stationary turret guns that fire at your jeep. Some are placed on bluffs, making them difficult to hit.

Bombers & Helicopters: These air units drop bombs or fire missiles.

Jeeps: Fast-moving enemy vehicles.

Missile Launchers/Face Statues: These structures fire heat-seeking or angled missiles. You can destroy the launchers themselves or shoot down the incoming missiles.

Laser Generators: These obstacles fire constant or timed laser beams. You must time your movements to pass through them safely.

General Combat Strategies

Run Over Infantry: A solid strategy for dealing with numerous infantry is to simply run them over with your jeep, saving your weapons for more significant threats.

Weapon Prioritization: Use your machine gun for enemies directly above you or at close range, as grenades can be slow. Reserve your grenades/rockets for tanks, cannons, and other heavily armored targets.

Hit and Run: Employ a "hit and run" tactic, especially against tougher enemies or in chaotic situations.

Utilize Blast Radius: Upgraded missiles with a blast radius can be used to destroy enemies through walls or hit multiple targets simultaneously.

Clear Before Crossing: Areas with slowing elements like conveyor belts should be cleared of enemies as much as possible before attempting to cross.

Anticipate and React: Many enemy spawns and attacks are scripted, allowing you to learn patterns and anticipate threats with practice.

Destroy Missiles: Actively shoot down incoming missiles fired by statues or launchers to reduce incoming damage.

Prioritize Threats: When approaching helipads, take out roof-mounted cannons first to ensure a safer POW drop-off.

Navigating the Levels (NES Specific)

The NES version of Jackal features six distinct stages, often referred to as Checkpoints, which scroll both horizontally and vertically.

Checkpoint Alpha (The Beach): You start near a beach. Drive right, then up to find a hut with a flashing POW to upgrade your weapon to rockets. Be wary of cannons and guards blocking encampment gates.

Checkpoint Baker (The Ruins): Watch for tanks and cannons. A face statue will fire missiles. Focus on rescuing POWs from the encampment.

Laser Generators: In later stages, you'll encounter laser generators. The first one is often the hardest due to constant firing. When multiple generators are visible, timing becomes easier as only one fires at a time. Keep firing to preemptively attack enemies in these areas.

Conveyor Belts: Clear surrounding threats before crossing conveyor belts, as they will slow your jeep down.

Boss Strategies (NES Specific)

Each of the six stages in the NES version concludes with a boss battle.

Boss 1 (Large Building with Cannons): This boss is a large building with two laser cannons on top. The cannons are generally easy to dodge by parking directly in front of the building. Your main concern will be tanks and helicopters that appear during the fight. Focus your explosive weapons on destroying the building itself.

Boss (Four Face Statues): This boss consists of four face statues side-by-side that fire heat-seeking missiles one at a time. You need to hit each statue three or four times with explosive weapons to destroy them. When missiles appear, back off and use your machine gun to destroy them before resuming your attack on the statues.

Super Destroyer: This boss has six spread cannons on its deck. Focus on destroying these cannons. Also, prioritize taking out any brown tanks that appear to improve your chances of survival.

Important Note on Other Games Named 'Jackal'

Be aware that there are other games named "Jackal." For example, a more recent top-down shooter game also called "Jackal" is set in 1970s Las Vegas and features a drug-powered hitman. This guide specifically pertains to the classic Konami game, released for arcades and the NES.

Jackal: A Beginner's Guide to Konami's Classic NES/Arcade Shooter

Quick Summary