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Crossbow (Europe)

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Crossbow (USA)

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Inside Crossbow

ATARI 7800
Shooter
5· 0 votes

Crossbow is a light gun shooter that originally hit arcades in 1983 from Exidy, then found its way to home consoles a few years later. Atari Corporation brought it to the ATARI 7800 in 1987 as part of their push to fill the library with arcade conversions. This version keeps the same core concept: you aim and fire using a positional gun (the controller resembles a crossbow) at targets that pop up on a scrolling landscape. You control a party of adventurers making their way through fantasy-themed stages, shooting at enemies like skeletons, birds, and traps that appear from the scenery. The light gun registers where you point on screen, and hitting an enemy clears the way forward. If you miss threats or take too long, your party members get picked off one by one. The goal is simply to survive each screen and reach the end of the level. It's a straightforward arcade port that gives you a taste of the original's frantic shooting without needing a bulky cabinet. The ATARI 7800 version is decently faithful to the arcade, making it a solid pick if you enjoy on-rails shooters from that era. It's not a deep or complex game, but the challenge of keeping your party alive while reacting quickly still holds up for short sessions.

GAME INFO

Platform: ATARI 7800
Genre: Shooter
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Developer: Exidy
Released: 1987
Players: 1
Region: USA

How to play Crossbow online

Getting Started

When you start Crossbow, you'll see a title screen and then jump right into the first stage. The game assumes you have a light gun plugged in, but if you're playing via emulator with a keyboard, you'll use the mouse or cursor keys to aim. The crosshair moves with your mouse or joystick - press the A button (X key) to fire. The game scrolls automatically from left to right, revealing enemies and obstacles.

Your main task is to shoot anything that moves before it reaches your party, which marches along the bottom of the screen. If an enemy touches a party member or you miss a few shots, that member is eliminated. Losing all party members ends the game. There's no continue system, so you have to survive as long as possible. The core loop is: aim, shoot, advance, repeat until you clear the level or die.

There are no power-ups or inventory systems. It's pure reflexes and accuracy. Pay attention to the timing - some enemies pop up quickly and disappear just as fast. The game also has traps like falling rocks or spiked pits that you must shoot before they hit your group. Practice will help you memorize where threats spawn. If you're using the keyboard, you can also remap the fire button to something more comfortable in the emulator settings.

CONTROLS

Controls

Arrow Keys: Joystick
X: Button 1
S: Button 2
Enter: Pause
V: Select

Crossbow FAQ

Roughly how long does it take to finish Crossbow?

The game can be completed in about 10 to 15 minutes if you're skilled, as it consists of a handful of short levels. Most players will need several attempts to learn enemy patterns and survive long enough to reach the final stage.

What makes Crossbow stand out among ATARI 7800 titles of its era?

It was one of the few light gun games available for the system, and its unique crossbow-shaped controller gave it a distinct physical feel. The home version also maintained the arcade's fast-paced shooting and multi-layered backdrops, which was impressive for the hardware.

Is there anything iconic or memorable about Crossbow?

The oversized crossbow controller used in arcades is the most iconic element - it looked like a real weapon mounted on the cabinet. The game also features a distinctive fantasy theme with colorful, detailed sprite work that stands out from the typical space or military shooters of the time.

All ATARI 7800 games