Sheriff

Defend yourself in Sheriff, a two-player shooter released by Nintendo in 1979. Players take on the role of a lawman surrounded and targeted by relentless bandits circling the screen. Using separate controls—a joystick for movement and a rotary knob for aiming—each player must strategically maneuver and fire to eliminate the approaching threats, with the bandits’ speed increasing as gameplay progresses. The distinctive arcade cabinet features woodgrain siding reminiscent of bowling alleys, adorned with Western-themed graphics and a prominent "Sheriff" logo. Notably, Sheriff was one of Nintendo's final games designed for a "bowling alley" aesthetic. A later version of the game, titled Bandido, was licensed to Exidy for distribution following its original release. The characters from Sheriff would eventually reappear in Super Smash Bros. Melee as trophies, showcasing their lasting presence within Nintendo’s history. Two variations of the arcade cabinet were produced: a standard model and an unusual cocktail table design utilizing a smaller monitor, which is particularly rare today. A simplified version appears within Wario Ware Inc.: Mega Microgame$ on the Game Boy Advance, where players control Wario in a similar defensive scenario.