Big Buck Hunter Review [2024]: Glory Days Revisited?

Remember the days of playing Big Buck Hunter at bars, restaurants, and arcades? Play Mechanix and Skillz, the creators, brought the game to our mobile devices so avid fans can play whenever they want.

While I’m not a skilled marksman and have never mastered the game, I do have some fun playing around with the free version.

If you’re considering using this gaming app to make money, check out the Big Buck Hunter review to learn how it works and, more importantly, if you can make money playing it.

What is Big Buck Hunter: Marksman?

Big Buck Hunter: Marksman is a skill-based video game that’s available on the Skillz games platform. They’ve hosted billions of tournaments besides Big Buck Hunter, including:

• Dominoes Gold
• Blackout Bingo
• 21 Blitz

The app is available on iOS and Android devices. It continues the Big Buck Hunter series which was popular in arcade venues but now allows you to play directly from your eligible mobile device.

With more than 12,000 ratings and an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5, Big Buck Hunter: Marksman is among the top 100 Sports apps on the App Store.

How does Big Buck Hunter: Marksman work?

If you’re familiar with the gameplay from any Big Buck Hunter hunting game, this mobile version will likely appear similar. After downloading the Big Buck Hunter: Marksman app and creating an account, you can begin playing.

Like most competitive mobile games, you compete against other players with similar skill levels. The goal is to earn the highest score out of all competitors.

You earn bonus points based on the following factors:

• Shot accuracy
• Number of bucks bagged
• Shot distance
• Number of bucks bagged consecutively
• Heart and head shots (worth more and kill faster)
• Shooting a doe decreases your score

It’s pretty easy to play the game. To aim down your sights, press and hold on the screen, which slows time and focuses on your target. When you’re ready to take a shot, release your finger to fire. If you want to cancel your shot, swipe down on the screen. You only have a few seconds to take a shot before your scope timer runs out and it resets your aim.

Initially, you’ll have access to several game modes. Each has an entry fee to play, whether Z coins (the in-game virtual currency) or your cash balance. Z coins are the free version of the game, though it’s possible to convert them to add to your cash balance if you win enough games. If you want to play cash games for the chance to win real money, you must deposit your own money or refer friends to play.

Game modes include:

• Practice: Play against another single player using Z coins. Prizes include Z coins, tickets, and League medals.
• Head-to-head: Play against another single player using your cash balance. Prizes often include cash, tickets, and League medals.
• Brackets: Play against multiple other players (up to 16) using your cash balance. Prizes include cash, tickets, and League medals.
• Events: Participate in timed events against other players, typically using your cash balance. Prizes often include cash and tickets.

After you play five games, you’ll automatically be entered into Leagues. This is an ongoing competition against all other users that have also played a sufficient number of games. All Leagues players compete for a pool of prizes.

Who can play?

Because you can deposit and win (or lose) real money, Big Buck Hunter: Marksman requires you to be 17 and older on the App Store, and 18 or older to compete for cash.

Certain states don’t allow online gaming with real money. Skillz cash tournaments aren’t available in these locations:

• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Louisiana
• South Dakota

How much can you earn with Big Buck Hunter: Marksman?

Like any gaming app, there’s no guarantee that you’ll earn money playing Big Buck Hunter. Even if you deposit cash to enter tournaments, you could risk losing money. Big Buck Hunter pays cash (for tournaments and events), and ticketz for any player, whether or not you deposit cash. You can redeem the ticketz for prizes.

When I played the game, entry fees ranged from $0.60 to $12 and prizes ranged from $1 to $33. Each game also paid tickets and coins to winners, which players can use for future games. For example, I had the option to play a Whitetail Deer Novice game for $0.60 and earn $1, 50 tickets and 300 coins or a Whitetail Deer Sportsman game for $1.20 with the chance to win $2 plus 100 tickets and 600 coins.

To increase your earnings potential, consider the following:

• Play in practice mode until you increase your skills
• Play often to increase your ticket multiplier per game
• Join brackets and events as you level up your skills

Withdrawing funds

If you’re lucky enough to win playing Big Buck Hunter, you can withdraw your funds, just don’t expect to receive them quickly. Skillz takes four to six weeks to process withdrawals, which they state is to ensure fairness and prevent fraud.

You can withdraw funds up to the amount you deposited and receive them back the way you paid them (PayPal or credit card). Any amounts above what you deposited, you’ll receive via paper check.

Common questions about Big Buck Hunter: Marksman

Other ways to earn money to consider

If you don't want to play Big Buck Hunter: Marksman, there are other ways to learn how to make money in your spare time including other game apps that pay real money.

If you enjoy classic card games, check out Solitaire Cash. This app offers users the opportunity to win cash prizes by playing a modern version of Solitaire against other players. It’s also one of the top-rated card game apps on the App Store, with a 4.6 out of 5 rating.

For another modern twist on a classic game, consider Blackout Bingo. This is a skill-based version of bingo that rewards players who are both quick and accurate. If you play the cash modes, you may win real money.

Bottom Line

If you’re a long-time fan of Big Buck Hunter, reliving your memories and unwinding in a competitive game can be fun. As far as using it to earn money, I’d consider it a fun pastime that might earn you a few dollars if you risk your own cash.

If you’re looking for the best side hustles to supplement your income, I recommend looking for gigs like rideshare driving, delivering food, or even starting an online business. But, Big Buck Hunter is fun, stress-relieving, and if you play enough, it may put a couple of bucks in your bank account.