Pooyan - 1982

Pooyan is a classic arcade game that was released in 1982 by Konami, a Japanese video game developer. The game was a hit during the golden age of arcade gaming, and it still holds a special place in the hearts of classic gaming enthusiasts. In this blog post, we will explore the history, gameplay, and legacy of Pooyan.

History of Pooyan

Pooyan was developed and released by Konami in 1982. The game was initially released in Japan under the name "Pootan" and later released in the United States as Pooyan. The game was an instant hit and gained popularity quickly due to its unique gameplay and charming graphics.

The game's concept was inspired by the fairy tale "The Three Little Pigs," where the player takes on the role of a mother pig who is defending her piglets from a pack of wolves. The game's storyline involves players controlling the mother pig, who is armed with a bow and arrow, and shooting down the wolves while avoiding their attacks.

Gameplay

Pooyan is a side-scrolling shooter game that is played on a single screen.

The gameplay involves players controlling the mother pig, who is situated on the bottom of the screen, and shooting down the wolves that are descending from the top of the screen to steal her piglets.

The game has six different levels, each with a unique theme and boss enemy at the end. The gameplay is split into two main phases, the "day" phase and the "night" phase. During the day phase, players must shoot down the wolves as they descend from the top of the screen while avoiding their attacks. During the night phase, players must defend their piglets from the wolves by shooting down the balloons that the wolves are using to transport them.

The game has a unique feature where players can shoot the wolves' arrows out of the air, adding a layer of strategy to the gameplay. Players can also collect power-ups that increase the speed and effectiveness of their bow and arrow.

About the Creator:

Pooyan was created by Konami, a Japanese video game developer that was founded in 1969. Konami is one of the most well-known and respected video game developers in the industry, with a long history of creating popular and influential games.

Konami was founded by Kagemasa Kozuki, who is considered one of the most influential figures in the video game industry. Kozuki started Konami as a jukebox rental and repair company, but he quickly saw the potential in the emerging video game industry.

Under Kozuki's leadership, Konami became a major player in the video game industry, creating popular and innovative games for a variety of platforms. Konami was responsible for creating some of the most iconic video games of all time, including Contra, Castlevania, and Metal Gear Solid.

Kozuki was known for his innovative approach to game design and his dedication to creating high-quality games that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in the industry. He was also known for his commitment to his employees, and he created a work environment that encouraged creativity and innovation.

Kozuki retired from Konami in 2018, but his legacy lives on in the many classic games that he helped create. Today, Konami is still a major player in the video game industry, and the company continues to create innovative and popular games for a variety of platforms.

In conclusion, Kagemasa Kozuki, the creator of Konami, was a visionary leader who helped shape the video game industry as we know it today. His dedication to creating high-quality games and fostering a creative work environment has had a lasting impact on the industry, and his legacy lives on in the many classic games that he helped create, including Pooyan.

Pooyan Cabinet & Hardware

Pooyan was released as an arcade game in 1982, and the cabinet and hardware used in the game reflected the technology of the time.

The Pooyan arcade cabinet was a standard upright model, with a colorful marquee at the top featuring the game's logo and artwork. The cabinet was made of wood and featured artwork on the sides that depicted scenes from the game.

Inside the cabinet, Pooyan was powered by a standard JAMMA (Japan Amusement Machine and Marketing Association) arcade board. The JAMMA board was a standardized system that allowed arcade games to be easily swapped in and out of cabinets without requiring extensive rewiring. This made it easier for arcade operators to quickly switch between games, which helped keep customers interested and coming back for more.

The JAMMA board in the Pooyan cabinet was powered by a Z80 microprocessor, which was a popular CPU at the time for arcade games and other computer systems. The Z80 ran at a clock speed of 3.072 MHz and was capable of handling the complex graphics and sound that were required for the game.

The Pooyan arcade cabinet featured a standard CRT monitor, which was the

standard display technology at the time. The monitor had a resolution of 224x288 pixels and displayed the game's colorful graphics and animations.

The game was controlled using a standard joystick and two buttons, which were used to move the player character and fire arrows at the wolves. The buttons were placed on the control panel, which also featured artwork and graphics that matched the rest of the cabinet.

Overall, the Pooyan arcade cabinet and hardware were typical of the technology used in arcade games in the early 1980s. While the technology may seem primitive compared to modern gaming systems, Pooyan was a popular and innovative game that helped pave the way for future arcade games and video game systems.

Legacy of Pooyan

Pooyan was a popular game during the golden age of arcade gaming and is still remembered by many classic gaming enthusiasts. The game's unique concept and charming graphics have made it a classic example of the arcade gaming era.

The game has been re-released on various platforms over the years, including the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. The game has also been included in various classic arcade game compilations, such as the Konami Arcade Classics and the Konami 80's Arcade Gallery.

Pooyan has been cited as an influence on other games, such as the game Tapper, which also features a side-scrolling gameplay style and unique concept.

Conclusion

Pooyan is a classic arcade game that holds a special place in the hearts of classic gaming enthusiasts. The game's unique concept, charming graphics, and innovative gameplay make it a classic example of the arcade gaming era. While it may not have achieved the same level of popularity as other classic arcade games, such as Pac-Man or Space Invaders, it remains a beloved classic arcade game and an important part of gaming history.