Shooting Gallery is a target contest quite similar to SEGA's coin-op game Carnival in which gamers control a horizontally-moving, vertically-firing pistol and fire at a cast of clay bunnies, bears, ducks, pipes et al.

Play begins with a short supply of bullets, each shot indicated at the lower left of the screen. Run out of ammo and the game ends, but there are ways to gain bonus bullets. Shoot a star and you've copped an extra ten shots, while hitting a bullseye is good for a quintet of bullets. The animals move in a serpentine manner from the top row to the middle and, ultimately, the bottom column. Hitting the target at the top gains 60 points, the middle is worth 40 and anything hit on the bottom line counts for 20.

Ducks are a problem. If a duck makes it all the way to the bottom row, he will begin quacking and make a beeline for your bullets which, for some reason, are his favorite snack. There is also a constantly rotating circle of clay pipes which must also be polished off before the player gets his bonus shots at the rambling bear. The big animal lumbers on screen and changes direction (while picking up speed) with each hit. You have unlimited firepower regarding the bear.

The most important thing to watch is the number of bullets you have left. Attempt to hit all the stars and bulls-eyes as soon as they rear their insignia. It is also important to keep in mind that the stars and bulls-eyes do not travel down to the bottom row as do the animals, so get'em and get'em quickly!

Again, try to pick off the ducks before they reach the bottom, for although only one duck can swoop down at a time, it isn't that easy to pick them off since they can not be harmed while making a turn, which they often do.

The pipes which travel across the top of the screen are worth whatever the number below them reads. This value decreases by 10 with each hit, until you reach the minimum number of 50 points.

Since the second screen is much more challenging than the first, don't be in a big hurry to clear the initial playfield.

As to the bonus bear, wait for him to reach mid-screen before firing your first shot, giving you leeway on both sides. After picking up a few 50-point bonuses by plugging the beast, his speed will really pick up.

Okay, then, pard? Load'em up and shoot'em up!