Vendetta

Vendetta

Overview & History

Released by Konami in 1991 as the spiritual sequel to Crime Fighters, Vendetta (known as Crime Fighters 2 in Japan) is a gritty, beat-'em-up arcade masterpiece set in the neon-soaked, decrepit underworld of Dead End City. The storyline kicks into high gear when a ruthless street gang known as the Cobra Syndicate abducts Kate, prompting a vigilante rescue squad known as 'The Cobras' to hit the pavement. Featuring character designs heavily inspired by 1980s pop-culture icons—including a Mr. T lookalike and a leather-clad dominatrix-wielding brawler—the game gained cult status for its uncompromising difficulty, bizarre enemies, and darkly humorous animations, such as enemies grabbing your leg or the infamous ability to kick fallen foes while they are down.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike standard side-scrolling brawlers, Vendetta emphasizes brutal physical combat using a robust two-button setup (Punch and Jump). Players can choose from four distinct fighters: Blood (the balanced martial artist), Hawk (the swift ex-kickboxer), Boomer (the powerhouse grappler), and Sledge (the chain-wielding bruiser). The combat engine allows players to pick up an eclectic arsenal of weapons—ranging from knives and iron pipes to submachine guns and dynamite—or even hoist dazed enemies over their heads to throw them into obstacles or other thugs. Teamwork is heavily rewarded in multiplayer sessions, introducing cooperative dual-player combo attacks and frantic crowd-control moments against waves of knife-wielding punks, hefty fat men, and chainsaw-revving maniacs.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move
• Action Keys: Attack / Jump
• Enter: Start / Pause