Shooting Games

Aside from the irresistible lure of discharging something that looked like a real pistol or gun at a target, shooting games had a couple of other things in their favour. Being undeniable games of skill and by making (rather dubious) claims to be preparing British men for their patriotic duty as soldiers, they went some way to placate official concerns about gaming machines. Often hitting the target was its own reward, although some games offered a free go, a returned coin, prizes or cash. The simplest versions used the coin as a projectile, like dropcase machines; others used ball bearings; still others substituted missiles with a mechanical linkage, electrical or optical system.