Unsurprisingly, given DH’s runaway success, it was joined on shelves by dozens of dopplegangers. Companies connected with rural sports milked the new genre mercilessly. Browning, Remington and Cabela all had their names emblazoned across game lids by the end of 1999. Mainstream publishers weren’t slow tojump on the bandwagon either. Soon people bored of stalking hoofed prey had the chance to bag birds, rodents and beasts that growled, gored and fought back. For a while we were spoiled for choice.
Then came the inevitable slump. A year without a new hunting game isn’t unusual these days. Thankfully, legacy titles - gems such as Deer Hunter: The 2005 Season, Trophy Hunter 2003 and Hunting Unlimited 3 - have all aged well and still offer the discerning hunter plenty of tension, atmosphere, challenge and anticipation.
