Big Buck Hunter: Marksman Review – Worth a Shot
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Whether you want to play when you're bored and on your phone or you want to find a way to earn a little money on the side, Big Buck Hunter is great fun.
8/10
Cost
8/10
Features
9/10
Ease of use
9/10
Services
8/10
When Big Buck Hunter debuted as an arcade game in 2000, the hunting game that could have up to four players compete was an instant hit. Big Buck Hunter saw multiple releases on Wii, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, including Shooter's Challenge, Sportsman's Paradise, Call of the Wild, Safari, and Big Buck Hunter Pro and HD.
In September 2021, the mobile video game company Skillz took on the hunting franchise with the release of Big Buck Hunter: Marksman. And like that, the shooting game quickly rose to the top of downloads in sporting.
But like many of the games produced by Skillz, this hunting arcade game can earn gamers real money in the Big Buck Hunter World Championship.
Learn more about Skillz's version of Big Buck Hunter.
In this article
What is Big Buck Hunter: Marksman?
Like the original Big Buck Hunter arcade game, Skillz' Marksman is a multiplayer game that allows hunters to accumulate points by the accuracy and distance of shots taken at whitetail deer spotted on the screen. The arcade shooter game provided a single gun on the machine, and gamers would compete for top place.
The arcade version is a great game modeled after the popular Duck Hunt. But the Skillz version allows experienced players to compete in a competition with more than 20,000 players. The two-day esports tournament occurred in October 2021, with the winner crowned Big Buck Hunter World Champion and taking home $5,000.
Cash tournaments aren't available in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, and South Dakota.
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How does Big Buck Hunter: Marksman work?
Players 17 and older can download the Skillz game, created in partnership with Play Mechanix. I downloaded my version on my iOS, although it is also available on Android.
Once I downloaded it, I hit play and was taken on a gameplay tutorial. Press and hold to look down your sights. Your scope has a timer, and each shot has a limited amount of Slow-Mo Time. When the timer is out, you've missed the shot.
Shot angle matters for a perfect shot and to build your Marksman Streak. Be sure not to shoot Does, as you'll incur penalties.
Skillz has multiplayer competitions, matching me with players of similar abilities for a fun and fair competition. As you play, you can earn what Skillz calls Ticketz. With every game played, you'll earn more Ticketz, which can be used as currency for future games and cash in on prizes. (More on that later.)
Then you pick an Avatar and head into a competition. This was the first time I'd played Big Buck Hunter, and not only did I miss every single shot, but I also missed the warning on not hitting Does, so I incurred a -750 penalty. It was an embarrassing first round, and I lost to my opponent, who had scored 1,444 points. But win or lose, gamers consistently earn Ticketz, and I earned 2.
To play a second game cost me 1 Ticketz. Although the game couldn't find an opponent for me to play immediately, it did allow me to play again. I had three bucks get away this time but shot two, one at 94 yards with 4.0 precision, earning me more points than the buck I shot at 151 yards with only 1.6 accuracy. I shot another Doe and was penalized again, so I was still negative at the end of the game. Because I didn't have an opponent yet, I had to wait to see if I came in first or second and how many Ticketz I'd earn for my game.
How much does Big Hunt Hunter: Marksman cost?
Like many Skillz games, including Solitaire and Bingo games, it is free to download and play. However, those who put a little money into the game can win cash prizes.
Free ways to play
As illustrated in my first games, to play for free, gamers earn Ticketz and can play practice games. There are also ways to earn bonus games. Players earn 1 Ticketz in second place or 2 Ticketz in first place. Ticketz can be redeemed for real prizes, although you'll need quite a few to get the best rewards. Samples include a Skillz hoodie that requires 540 Ticketz to 20,000 Ticketz to buy $1 in bonus cash, meaning you need to earn that much to have $1 of real cash to play in real competitions. With 150K Ticketz, players can unlock league play with prizes over $10,000.
Pay-to-play options
Adding cash to an account allows gamers to play for real money. You can deposit $2, $5, $10, $15, or $30.
To play my first cash match required 0.60 cents. The prize for the head-to-head winner would be $1 and 50 Ticketz. So basically, once I become a better shot in the practice games, I can play for 60 cents for a chance to win back my money and earn 40 cents and Ticketz getting me closer to what I need to unlock league plays for some serious cash prizes.
For a mere $2, I could enter the Onyx events for a chance to win $200 and 150 Ticketz. It's against an infinite number of players, though. Probably safer for me to spend $3 to enter the Big Buck Battle with only 32 players for a chance to win $65 and 225 Ticketz.
It's easy to see how being good at this game could result in some actual winnings. This is why the game is for ages 17 and older: This is legit gambling.
Related: Games That Pay Real Money
Who is Big Buck Hunter: Marksman for?
Casual gamers. You can play for free, just like the array of gaming apps that can fill your free time while eating lunch, sitting in a carpool line, riding the train, or just sitting on your couch.
Serious gamers. All of the above is true, but the real fun is the real money ops. Winning money while having fun is, well, fun!
Earn Real Cash with Bubble Cash
- A Modern Take on the Classic Arcade Game Bubble Shooter
- Play to Win Cash Prizes and Real World Rewards
- Compete Against Others in a Fun & Fast-paced Game
- Games Take Minutes
- Download and Play Whenever You Want
Other Skillz games
Big Buck Hunter is just one gaming app that allows you to win real cash payouts. Other popular games it operates include:
Solitaire Cube
Hunting games are not my thing (thus the horrible score and shots). I'm old school and like to play classics like Solitaire. Skillz offers Solitaire Cube for free play and a chance to compete with others to win real money.
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- It's legit: #3 Cards game on Apple Store, average 4.6/5 Stars for 130k ratings
- Get up to $83 per win in minutes
- Deposit cash to multiply your winnings in skill-based cash tournaments
- Cash out with PayPal or Apple Pay
- Cash tournaments not available in: AZ, AR, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, SC, MT & SD.
Blackout Bingo
Another old-school game is Bingo. Just as you would sit in a hall with many people furiously marking your board to get B-I-N-G-O before the others, Blackout Bingo is Skillz's version that pits you against others for a chance to win actual cash.
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- A Modern Take on the Classic Game Bingo
- Play Against Others to Win Cash Prizes and Real World Rewards in as Little as 2 Minutes
- Over 5 Million Players, 4.5/5 Stars in App Store
- Prizes Include Amazon Gift Cards and Cash Payouts
- Use Code 'JOYWALLET' to Get $5 Bonus Cash On Your First Cash Game
- Deposit/Withdraw with Credit Cards or Your PayPal Account
- Cash tournaments not available in AR, CT, DE, LA, and SD
Big Buck Hunter promo code
tip: Install a Skillz app and use the code JOYWALLET to receive a $5 bonus cash on your first cash game.
FAQs
Can anyone downloand Big Buck Hunter: Marksman
All gamers must be 17 and older.
Is Big Buck Hunter: Marksman a scam?
Although the game is a new addition to the Skillz family, it is a chance to play for real money and in real competitions. Plus, you don't have to spend a penny to play; nor do you need to enter any competitions if you don't want to.
Can I win real money playing Big Buck Hunter: Marksman?
There are a variety of competitions, and you could win some chump change or some serious dough. The 2021 Big Buck Hunter tournament awarded $5,000 to Matt Lorick of Thaxton, Mississippi.
The bottom line
Mobile games have come a long way since Big Buck Hunter debuted in arcades more than 20 years ago. Whether you want to play when you're bored and on your phone or you want to find a way to earn a little money on the side, Big Buck Hunter is great fun. Will you get rich playing it? No. But often, the fun of placing a sports bet or dropping a chip on the roulette table is the pure excitement of the possibility. Nothing wrong with that!
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Cash tournaments not available in AZ, AR, CT, DE, LA, MT, SC, SD, and TN.
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Writer
Lissa Poirot is an award-winning journalist and editor with a focus on finance, travel and health. Her work has appeared online and in print, and she has often been cited as a source on both. She currently resides in Pennsylvania.
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