Editing QuackShot

{{short description|1991 video game}}
{{for|the 1954 Merrie Melodies cartoon|Quack Shot}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = QuackShot Starring Donald Duck
| image = QuackShot - Starring Donald Duck.jpg
| caption = European [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive]] cover art
| developer = [[Sega]]
| publisher = Sega
| platforms = [[Sega Genesis]], <br /> [[Sega Saturn]]
| released = '''Sega Genesis''' <br /> {{Video game release|EU|December 1991<ref name="CTW365">{{cite magazine |title=The Release Schedule |magazine=Computer Trade Weekly |location=United Kingdom |date=2 December 1991 |issue=365 |page=23 }}</ref><ref name="SegaForce1">{{cite magazine |title=QuackShot Starring Donald Duck |magazine=[[Sega Force]] |publisher=[[Europress Impact]] |location=United Kingdom |date=January 1992 |issue=1 |page=26}}</ref>|NA|December 19, 1991<ref name=release>{{Citation | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/genesis/586403-quackshot-starring-donald-duck/data | title = Quackshot: Starring Donald Duck Release Information for Genesis | publisher = [[GameFAQs]] | access-date = 2013-09-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121018071444/http://www.gamefaqs.com/genesis/586403-quackshot-starring-donald-duck/data | archive-date = 2012-10-18}}</ref>|JP|December 20, 1991<ref name=release/>}}'''Sega Saturn''' <br /> {{Video game release|JP|October 15, 1998}}
| genre = [[Platform game|Platformer]], [[Metroidvania]]<ref>{{cite news | url = https://venturebeat.com/2013/04/19/5-other-retro-disney-games-that-deserve-remakes/ | title = 5 other retro Disney games that deserve remakes | first = Mike | last = Minotti | date = April 19, 2013 | access-date = July 20, 2016 | work = [[VentureBeat]] | quote = "The labyrinth-like dungeons and upgradable weapons also gave QuackShot a bit of a Metroid feel long before it was cool to make endless 'Metroidvania' clones."}}</ref>
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| director = Emiko Yamamoto
| artist = Takashi Yuda
| programmer = Hiroshi Momota<br />Masato Omori<br />Keiichi Yamamoto
| composer = Shigenori Kamiya
}}
'''''QuackShot Starring Donald Duck'''''{{efn|The Japanese box art refers to the game as {{nihongo|'''''I Love Donald Duck: Guruzia Ou no Hihou'''''|アイラブドナルドダック グルジア王の秘宝}} with '''''QuackShot''''' being featured above this name at the top of the cover. However, in-game the only name used is '''{{transliteration|ja|QuackShot Gurujia-ō no Hihō}}''' (QuackShot {{lang|ja|グルジア王の秘宝}}, ''QuackShot The Treasure of the King Garuzia'')}}{{efn|Known in Japan as '''''QuackShot The Treasure of the King Garuzia''''' ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]: QuackShot グルジア王の秘宝'', [[Hepburn romanization|Hepburn]]: ''QuackShot Gurujia-ō no Hihō)}}, also simply known as '''''QuackShot''''', is a 1991 [[Platform game|platform]] game developed and published by [[Sega]] for the [[Sega Genesis]]. The player controls [[Donald Duck]] as he, alongside his three nephews, [[Huey, Dewey, and Louie]], attempt to track down a lost artifact which was treasured by King Garuzia. The game was influenced by the ''[[Indiana Jones]]'' film series.

''QuackShot'' was released with a positive response from video game publications. The game was universally lauded for its graphics, with magazines like ''[[Sega Pro]]'' describing them as "some of the best graphics around", and the game was also praised for its music and puzzles. However, the game was criticized for its overall lack of difficulty and the controls in certain situations. Retrospectively, ''QuackShot'' was also criticized for its lack of speech samples by ''[[IGN]]''.

==Gameplay==
[[File:QuackShot - Starring Donald Duck Mexico platforming.jpg|thumb|left|Donald traverses platforms in a level modeled after [[Mexico]]. The player's health is signified by the number of hearts in the lower-left corner.]]
The player, as Donald, ventures through a variety of side-scrolling levels. Generally, each level is divided into an overland part and a dungeon, such as the Maharajah's palace or the temple in which the Great Duck Treasure resides.<ref>{{Citation | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck Instruction Manual | author = [[Disney Interactive]] Staff | publisher = [[Sega]] | date = December 19, 1991 | pages = 16–17}}</ref> Although the player may choose any order to play the overland sections, various obstacles prevent the player from entering the dungeons outside a specific order. In addition to this, some levels provide the player with vital clues which solve puzzles needed to progress in later sections. Once Donald has completed the overland section of an area, he may leave by calling his nephews' [[biplane]], and will return to the dungeon entrance of that area if the player chooses to return.<ref>{{Citation | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck Instruction Manual | author = [[Disney Interactive]] Staff | publisher = [[Sega]] | date = December 19, 1991 | pages = 12}}</ref>

Donald is armed with a special gun that can shoot [[plunger]]s, [[popcorn]] or [[bubble gum]].<ref name=donalditems>{{Citation | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck Instruction Manual | author = [[Disney Interactive]] Staff | publisher = [[Sega]] | date = December 19, 1991 | pages = 9–10}}</ref> Donald has unlimited plungers which can temporarily stun enemies (though bosses can still be damaged with plungers), and can collect popcorn and gum along the way or get the latter from [[Gyro Gearloose]].<ref name=donalditems/> Later in the game, the plunger is upgraded to act as a temporary platform to climb walls with and, when stuck to a passing bird, allows Donald to traverse longer distances.<ref name=donalditems/> In the overland sections of [[Donald Duck universe#Duckburg|Duckburg]], India, and Egypt, Donald can also pick up spicy jalapeños which increase his temper, eventually temporarily activating a "quack attack" mode that allows him to become invincible, automatically run forward and knock out enemies in his path.<ref name=donalditems/>

==Plot==
While Donald is flipping through some books in [[Scrooge McDuck]]'s library, a map falls out of a book relating to the treasure of King Garuzia, ruler of the Great Duck Kingdom in ancient times.<ref>{{Cite video game | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck | developer = Disney Interactive | publisher = Sega | date = December 19, 1991 | quote = '''Narrator''': One day, Donald came across an old book in Uncle Scrooge's study. The title of the book was "King Garuzia's Great Duck Treasure". According to the book, Garuzia was once the leader of a great duck kingdom.}}</ref> The map leads to the location of the king's most prized possession, hidden in a secret place shortly before his death.<ref>{{Cite video game | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck | developer = Disney Interactive | publisher = Sega | date = December 19, 1991 | quote = '''Narrator''': Just before he died, King Garuzia hid his most prized possession in a secret location.}}</ref> Donald thinks this is his path to riches.<ref>{{Cite video game | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck | developer = Disney Interactive | publisher = Sega | date = December 19, 1991 | quote = '''Narrator''': "Wow!" Donald exclaimed. "If I could find a treasure like this, I'd be richer than Uncle Scrooge."}}</ref> Unfortunately, [[Pete (Disney)|Big Bad Pete]] overhears and pursues Donald throughout the game hoping to steal the treasure.<ref>{{Cite video game | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck | developer = Disney Interactive | publisher = Sega | date = December 19, 1991 | quote = '''Narrator''': But one of Pete's gang had been spying through the window and saw everything. ... Donald and his nephews took off in their plane, leaving a furious Daisy behind. Moments later, Pete's gang flew after them in a plane of their own.}}</ref>

Teamed with his nephews [[Huey, Dewey, and Louie]], and using the partial map from the library, Donald begins his search in [[Duck universe#Duckburg|Duckburg]], with the trail being directed to an [[Aztec]] pyramid in [[Mexico]]. Outside the pyramid, he is directed by a "sweet señorita" to obtain a "hero key" from an explorer back in Duckburg to open the pyramid. Inside the pyramid, Donald meets [[Goofy]], who gives him a strange note and a red plunger to help him reach high places, and tells him that [[Gyro Gearloose]] is looking for him back in Duckburg.<ref>{{Cite video game | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck | developer = Disney Interactive | publisher = Sega | date = December 19, 1991 | quote = '''Goofy''': Gawrsh, Donald, it's swell to see you. '''Donald''': Goofy, what are you doing here? '''Goofy''': Oooh, just looking around. I found this strange note. I don't know what to do with it. Do you want it? '''Donald''': You bet! '''Goofy''': I also found this funny plunger thing. Maybe if you shoot it at walls and things it will help you reach high places. And Gyro in Duckburg is looking for you.}}</ref> Travelling across the rooftops of Duckburg to meet Gyro, Donald is given Gyro's latest invention, bubblegum ammo that can break through walls. The last location on the partial map is Count Dracula's castle in [[Transylvania]], where Donald encounters a ghost who tells him that the Count carries the real treasure map.<ref>{{Cite video game | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck | developer = Disney Interactive | publisher = Sega | date = December 19, 1991 | quote = '''Ghost''': King Garuzia's treasure! Now I remember! Count Dracula has the treasure map in this castle. But I don't think Dracula will give up the map too easily.}}</ref>

After defeating Dracula, Donald receives a more complete map. In [[India]], Donald enters the palace of the [[Maharaja]]h, where she challenges him to defeat the tiger (known as [[Shere Khan]]) in her garden in exchange for a Sphinx Tear.<ref>{{Cite video game | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck | developer = Disney Interactive | publisher = Sega | date = December 19, 1991 | quote = '''Maharajah''': I offer you a challenge. If you can defeat the tiger (known as Shere Khan) in the garden, I will reward you with this Sphinx Tear.}}</ref> Donald succeeds and receives the Sphinx Tear, which is the key to opening a temple in [[Egypt]]. Donald is able to solve the "Riddle of the Sphinx" using the note Goofy had given him and obtains the Scepter of [[Ra]] before escaping in a minecart. From there, he journeys to the [[South Pole]], where he finds a key frozen in ice, and uses the Scepter of Ra to melt the ice and grab the key. The key unlocks the hold of a [[Viking]] ship, which contains an ancient diary with the secret to locating the treasure. The ship is haunted by ghosts, and the Viking captain sends Donald below decks to get rid of them. After defeating a skeletal Viking warrior, Donald returns to the deck, where the captain informs him that the diary is hidden in ice near the South Pole, and gives him an "ancient Viking plunger" that attaches to flying creatures.<ref>{{Cite video game | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck | developer = Disney Interactive | publisher = Sega | date = December 19, 1991 | quote = '''Donald''': I got rid of all the ghosts. Can I have the Viking diary? '''Viking Captain''': I'm sorry, but to tell the truth, I don't really have it. '''Donald''': WHAT!!! '''Viking Captain''': But an old legend says that it is hidden in ice near the South Pole. Maybe this ancient Viking plunger can help you. It can be used to fly by catching things that fly.}}</ref> Donald then returns to the South Pole, hitching a ride on one of Pete's bird minions to reach the diary.

However, upon finding the diary, Pete shows up, holding Donald's nephews hostage in exchange for the diary.<ref>{{Cite video game | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck | developer = Disney Interactive | publisher = Sega | date = December 19, 1991 | quote = '''Pete''': Donald, if you want to save your nephews, you'd better give me that treasure map and diary!}}</ref> After giving Pete the diary, Donald travels to Pete's hideout to defeat Pete and get the diary back. The diary reveals that the map, when dipped in water, will reveal the location of the Great Duck Treasure.<ref>{{Cite video game | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck | developer = Disney Interactive | publisher = Sega | date = December 19, 1991 | quote = '''Donald''': It's the ancient Viking diary. The diary reveals that the map must be dipped in water. When this is done, the location of the real treasure will appear.}}</ref> Donald flies to the island where the treasure is hidden and manages to evade its traps in order to reach the treasure vault. After defeating the elderly knight guarding the treasure, Donald opens the vault only to find a simple stone statue.<ref>{{Cite video game | title = QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck | developer = Disney Interactive | publisher = Sega | date = December 19, 1991 | quote = '''Donald''': Oh my gosh! It is just a plain stone figurine of a duck princess!!}}</ref> When the disappointed Donald returns home, Huey, Dewey, and Louie accidentally break the statue, which reveals a golden jeweled necklace was hidden inside. Donald gives the necklace to Daisy and the two ducks fly off into the sunset together.

==Development and release==
''QuackShot'' was developed and published by [[Sega]] for the [[Sega Genesis]]. In May 1991, Sega presented the game at the [[Consumer Electronics Show]].<ref name="Fantasia-Supergame">{{Cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/6/68/Supergame_BR_02.pdf |date=August 1991 |title=The Planet Disney enters the orbit of Sega |magazine=Supergame |issue=2 |pages=20–21}}</ref> The game was released in Europe in 1991, in North America on December 19, 1991 and in Japan the following day. ''QuackShot'' was released as part of a bundle called ''The Disney Collection for Genesis'' in 1996 alongside ''[[Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse|Castle of Illusion]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/disney-collection |title=The Disney Collection for Genesis (1996) – Mobygames |work=Moby Games |publisher=Sciere |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193243/http://www.mobygames.com/game/disney-collection |archive-date=29 October 2013}}</ref> The game was also ported to the [[Sega Saturn]] and released exclusively in Japan alongside ''Castle of Illusion'' again as part of the [[Sega Ages]] series in 1998, entitled ''[[Sega Ages: I Love Mickey Mouse]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Miles|first=Nathan |title=Review – QuackShot|url=http://retro4ever.com/review-quackshot-sega-genesis/ |website=Retro4Ever|date=March 15, 2012|access-date=20 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104014348/http://retro4ever.com/review-quackshot-sega-genesis/|archive-date=4 November 2014}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Contemporary===
{{Video game reviews
<!-- Reviewers -->
 | CVG = 89%<ref name="C&VC-QShot">{{cite magazine |author=Paul Rand |date=January 1992 |title=Quackshot |type=Review |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_122_1992-01_EMAP_Publishing_GB/Computer__Video_Games_Issue_122_1992-01_EMAP_Publishing_GB#page/n51 |issue=122 |page=52 |access-date=August 17, 2015}}</ref>
<!-- Custom reviewers -->
 | rev1 = ''[[Console XS]]''
 | rev1Score = 92%<ref name="XS">{{cite magazine |title=Software A-Z: Mega Drive |magazine=[[Console XS]] |date=23 April 1992 |issue=1 (June/July 1992) |publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]] |location=United Kingdom |pages=126–37 |url=https://archive.org/details/console-xs-01/page/126/mode/2up}}</ref>
 | rev2 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
 | rev2Score = A<ref name="EW"/>
 | rev3 = ''[[MegaTech]]''
 | rev3Score = 82%<ref name=megatech>MegaTech rating, [[EMAP]], issue 5, May 1992</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Game Index |magazine=[[MegaTech]] |date=31 May 1995 |issue=42 (June 1995) |pages=30–1 |url=https://archive.org/details/megatech-42/page/n29/mode/2up}}</ref>
 | rev4 = ''[[Sega Pro]]''
 | rev4Score = 95%<ref name=segapro>[http://www.outofprintarchive.com/articles/reviews/MegaDrive/Quackshot-SegaPro3-2.html Out-of-Print Archive • Mega Drive/Genesis reviews • Quackshot]</ref>
}}

In the United Kingdom, ''QuackShot'' was the top-selling Mega Drive game upon release.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=CVG Charts |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=15 December 1991 |issue=122 (January 1992) |pages=87–9 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-122/page/n86}}</ref>

''QuackShot'' received a positive response from critics upon release. Paul Rand of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' magazine praised the graphics and gameplay, but noted its slower pace compared to [[action games]].<ref name="C&VC-QShot"/> ''[[MegaTech]]'' magazine also praised the graphics and gameplay, but criticized the lack of difficulty.<ref name=megatech/> ''[[Console XS]]'' magazine called it one of the "best games for the Mega Drive."<ref name="XS"/>

Damian Butt from ''[[Sega Pro]]'' gave it a 95% score, praising the graphics and puzzles, explaining that "[e]ven if the ideas are not original, the way they are strung together to accelerate the pace to overload is nothing short of breath-taking". However, he had several criticisms, including Donald's controls in certain situations, the difficulty of some levels and puzzles, and "the number of credits" that make the game seem easy with unlimited continues, but noted that the player will "still need considerable skill to reach the treasure island". Ultimately, he said that "[y]ounger players will instantly be enthralled by Donald's quest" and that "''QuackShot'' is everything a cartoon game should be and more".<ref name=segapro/>

''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the game an A and wrote: "What does this action game have in common with classic 1950s Disney cartoons? The completely deranged hero. During the Donald's 'quack attacks', the feathers practically fly off the screen and into your lap".<ref name="EW">{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1992/01/31/latest-video-games-2/|title = The latest video games| magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] }}</ref>

===Retrospective===
{{Video game reviews
<!-- Aggregators -->
 | GR = 77% (2 reviews)<ref name=gamerankings>{{Citation | url = http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586403-quackshot-starring-donald-duck/index.html | title = Quackshot: Starring Donald Duck for Genesis - GameRankings | publisher = [[GameRankings]] | access-date = 2014-06-13 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191209012602/www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586403-quackshot-starring-donald-duck/index.html | archive-date = 2019-12-09}}</ref>
<!-- Reviewers -->
 | IGN = 7.3/10<ref name=ign>{{Citation | url = http://retro.ign.com/articles/923/923146p1.html | title = QuackShot Retro Review - IGN | date = 23 October 2008 | publisher = [[IGN]] | access-date = 2014-06-13 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140613202401/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/10/23/quackshot-retro-review | archive-date = 2014-06-13}}</ref>
<!-- Custom reviewers -->
 | rev1 = ''Sega-16''
 | rev1Score = 8/10<ref name=gamerankings/>
}}

[[GameRankings]], an aggregator for video game reviews, assigned the game a score of 77% based on 2 retrospective reviews from Sega-16 and IGN. Sega-16 scored it 8 out of 10.<ref name=gamerankings/>

Levi Buchanan from ''[[IGN]]'' gave ''QuackShot'' a 7.3/10, lauding the graphics and animation as excellent, and saying the music was pleasing.<ref name=ign/> He criticized the controls, calling them "float-y" and noted the difficulty in executing precision jumps, explaining that "[i]t's far too easy to over- or under-shoot a narrow column and slip to your doom".<ref name=ign/> He was also disappointed with the lack of speech samples, explaining that it's "a bit of a drag with a character that is so defined by his voice".<ref name=ign/> Buchanan summed up the game as being a "good platformer tripped up by some questionable controls" and recommended the game as "a mildly enjoyable 16-bit platformer that would fit nicely in your Genesis collection".<ref name=ign/>

In 1992, [[Mega (magazine)|''Mega'']] placed the game at #7 in their "Top Mega Drive Games of All Time" list.<ref name="megamagazine">Mega magazine issue #1, page 76, [[Future Publishing]], Oct 1992</ref> In 2017, [[GamesRadar+|''GamesRadar'']] ranked the game 28th on its "Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Games of All Time".<ref>{{Cite web|last=GamesRadar Staff|date=2017-06-21|title=Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games of all time|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-sega-genesis-games-all-time/|access-date=2022-02-24|website=gamesradar|language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
*''[[World of Illusion]]''
*[[Illusion (video game series)|''Illusion'' (video game series)]]
*[[List of Disney video games]]

==References==
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{MobyGames|id=/quackshot-starring-donald-duck}}

{{Illusion series}}
{{Donald Duck games}}
{{Portal bar|Disney|Video games|1990s}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:QuackShot}}
[[Category:1991 video games]]
[[Category:Disney video games]]
[[Category:Donald Duck video games]]
[[Category:Metroidvania games]]
[[Category:Platformers]]
[[Category:Sega video games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Video games set in Antarctica]]
[[Category:Video games set in Egypt]]
[[Category:Video games set in Norway]]
[[Category:Video games set in Romania]]
[[Category:Video games set in India]]
[[Category:Video games set in Mexico]]
[[Category:Video games set on islands]]
[[Category:Side-scrolling platformers]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]