It debuted at the Amusement and Music Operators Association show in October 1983 and was released to the public in early 1984.

[2][3] Badlands follows a cowboy named Buck seeking vengeance on a gang of outlaws and its leader, Landolf, for the murder of his wife and children.

[4] Badlands is an interactive movie set in a wild west fantasy world.

Gameplay consists of video scenes, requiring players to shoot and react to environmental hazards and enemies.

In Japan, Game Machine listed Badlands on their September 15, 1984, issue as the second most-successful upright arcade unit of the month.