Killer Shark (arcade game)
Killer Shark is a 1972 light-gun shooter electro-mechanical game released by Sega. The player uses a light gun to shoot at a shark as it approaches the player. Killer Shark was popularized after it appeared in the film Jaws.
Design and gameplay
Killer Shark is a light-gun shooter.[1] The game area depicts the sea as a shark moves around, and the player holds a light gun that resembles a harpoon.[2] The shark moves toward the player, who must shoot it with the light gun. The shark is created by projecting illustrations from a rotating disc at a mirror, which then reflects the image onto a frosted screen.[3] Each successful shot causes the shark to trash.[2] Killer Shark uses an 8-track cartridge to play sound,[3] and the machine is decorated with image of a shark and a scuba diver.[2]
Development and release
Killer Shark was created by Sega and released in 1972.[1] It is reportedly the first arcade game about a shark.[3]
Killer Shark briefly appeared in the film Jaws. A man is shown playing the game in a scene where people walk by the arcade toward the beach, falsely believing the film's man-eating shark has been killed. Gameplay is shown for a few seconds.[1] It became more popular after its appearance in Jaws.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 Pfeiffer, Jeff (June 13, 2024). "For Over 40 Years, I've Wanted to Play That Cool-Looking 'Killer Shark' Arcade Game Briefly Seen in 'Jaws'". Remind Magazine. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
- 1 2 3 Rose, Paul (2004). "Arcade perfect". Retro Gamer. Vol. 1, no. 185. p. 12.
- 1 2 3 4 Horowitz, Ken (2018). The Sega Arcade Revolution: A History in 62 Games. McFarland. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-4766-7225-0.