Introduce
In Wheel of Fortune (USA) (Rev 1) NES, players step into a digital rendition of the iconic "Wheel of Fortune" television game show. The primary objective is to solve hidden word puzzles by correctly guessing letters and accumulating prize money.
Core gameplay revolves around spinning a large wheel divided into various wedges. These wedges can represent cash values (e.g., $100, $500, $1000), or special segments like "Bankrupt" (which forfeits all accumulated money in the current round), "Lose a Turn" (which passes control to the next player), and "Free Spin" (granting an extra spin).
Each turn begins with a spin of the wheel. After the wheel lands on a wedge, the player must choose a consonant. If the letter is present in the puzzle, it will be revealed on the board, and the player earns the cash value of the spun wedge multiplied by the number of times the letter appears. For instance, if you spin $300 and correctly guess 'S' which appears 3 times, you would earn $900.
If the player chooses an incorrect consonant, or lands on "Bankrupt" or "Lose a Turn", the turn passes to the next opponent. The game typically features three players, including yourself and two computer-controlled opponents.
Once enough money is accumulated (usually $250), players have the option to "Buy a Vowel". Each vowel (A, E, I, O, U) costs $250 and will be revealed on the board if present, aiding in solving the puzzle. Buying a vowel does not result in losing a turn.
At any point, players can decide to "Solve the Puzzle". If the puzzle is solved correctly, the player wins the round and keeps all the money accumulated in that round. If solved incorrectly, the player loses their turn and may forfeit their accumulated money for that round (depending on the game version).
The game usually consists of several main rounds, and the player with the highest total cash after these rounds advances to the "Bonus Round". In the Bonus Round, the player spins a smaller wheel to determine a potential prize, then is given some free letters (typically R, S, T, L, N, E) and gets to choose three additional consonants and one vowel. The goal is to solve this final puzzle to win the grand prize.
The NES graphics and sound are designed to replicate the atmosphere of the television show, offering a simple yet engaging entertainment experience.