Dog Patch

Midway’s Dog Patch, released in 1977, is a two-player shooter where players take on the roles of hillbillies armed with shotguns. The gameplay centers around shooting tin cans that are launched into the air; each successful hit earns points. A simple control scheme—a stick and single button—allows for straightforward aiming and firing as players compete against one another to achieve the highest score. The game’s graphics utilize a limited color palette across a resolution of 256 x 224 pixels, contributing to its distinctive visual style. Interspersed within the main gameplay are bonus rounds where players can shoot at a wild goose for additional points. The game runs on an Intel 8080 processor and features discrete sound chips. Dog Patch was ported to the Bally Astrocade console system. This arcade title offers a straightforward, competitive shooting experience and represents an early example of two-player versus gameplay in the arcade landscape.