We briefly considered writing this description in a rootin' tootin', horn swoggling, dagnabbit, twirl-ma-spurs, Wild West kinda-way, but that would have been plum tedious, wouldn't it? Besides, we're here to talk about Buckaroo, and although this classic balancing game has a slight cowboy theme, it really doesn't require any purdy prose to generate interest.


Indeed, there's a very simple reason why the entire planet has heard of Buckaroo: it's an irresistible masterpiece that defies passing trends. It's also brimming with one-more-try-factor and its simplistic, infuriating gameplay is butt-clenchingly tense - no matter how old you are.

If, by some remote chance, you've just emerged from an abandoned gold mine in the middle of the Mojave Desert, allow us to explain. Buckaroo involves loading various odds and ends onto an extremely moody, spring-loaded mule. Put too much on his saddle, or load something too quickly and he'll kick like, well, a mule, and send the entire load flying.



Each piece of equipment is completely different, so players can never be certain how the temperamental little fellow will act. There are picks, shovels, hats, lanterns, lassoes, water canteens, guitars - the whole kit and caboodle. We guarantee you'll be gritting your teeth and holding your breath as you place each successive bit on Buckaroo's saddle and tail. It really is nerve-shredding stuff.

Actually, forget what we said earlier. We dawg gone reckon it's tougher than a prairie rat for folks to play this game without resorting to idiotic cowboy speak. Which reminds us of a saying we once heard down on the Firebox Ranch: 'Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a mule from any direction.' Yee-hah!