Target: Renegade (NES) Playthrough
2Playthrough of Taito's 1990 beat 'em up for the NES, Target: Renegade.
Target: Renegade for the NES is a side-scrolling beat-’em-up released in 1990, following in the footsteps of the original Renegade game. Although it shares the Renegade name and some basic mechanics, it was not developed by Technos Japan but instead adapted from the home computer versions popular in Europe. The NES version was developed by Imagineering and published by Taito in North America. It continues the gritty urban theme of the first game, with the player taking on the role of a lone vigilante out for revenge after the murder of his brother by a crime lord named Mr. Big.
The gameplay follows the typical beat-’em-up formula: the player walks through city streets, alleys, rooftops, and other tough urban environments while dispatching waves of thugs and minibosses. The action is more fluid than its predecessor, and the fighting mechanics have been expanded slightly. The player has access to a variety of punches, kicks, jump attacks, and can even pick up weapons like baseball bats to deal with tougher enemies. While the control scheme still retains the directional attack layout (with one button attacking left and the other attacking right), the combat feels a bit more dynamic compared to the first Renegade.
Visually, Target: Renegade improves upon the graphics of the original game. Character sprites are larger and more detailed, and backgrounds are more colorful and varied, though still simplistic by NES standards. The game’s environments convey a sense of decay and danger, matching the tone of its revenge-driven story. The soundtrack features energetic and gritty tunes that complement the urban violence of the setting, although the music loops can become repetitive over time.
One notable aspect of the NES version is its lack of a two-player mode, which was present in some of the home computer versions. This omission slightly diminishes the game's replay value, as beat-’em-ups often thrive on cooperative play. Still, the single-player experience is challenging, especially with enemies that require good timing and spacing to defeat efficiently. The game’s difficulty ramps up quickly, with tougher enemies and limited health refills, demanding that players master its combat system and learn the enemy patterns.
Target: Renegade doesn’t innovate much within the genre but provides a solid, street-level brawler experience. Its combination of grim story, satisfying combat, and nostalgic late-80s atmosphere gives it a distinct identity among NES beat-’em-ups. While it may not be as polished or well-known as titles like Double Dragon or River City Ransom, it holds a place as a cult favorite for fans of gritty, no-frills action games.