Target: Renegade

Target: Renegade

Overview & History

Developed by Imagine Software and ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System by Software Creations in 1988 (published by Data East in North America), Target: Renegade is the gritty, urban-brawling sequel to the arcade classic Renegade. Moving away from the high school gang rivalry of its predecessor, the storyline thrusts players into the underworld of organized crime. You control a street-tough vigilante named Matt (or the second-player character, Marty), whose ultimate mission is to hunt down and destroy the crime syndicate boss, Mr. Big, who is responsible for the murder of your brother. Unlike the original home ports, the NES version introduced simultaneous two-player cooperative beat-’em-up gameplay, making it a standout title on the 8-bit console. The game is notorious for its punishing difficulty, grim concrete-jungle aesthetics, and a memorable soundtrack composed by Tim Follin, which elevated the aggressive street-fighting atmosphere.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike standard side-scrolling beat-'em-ups, Target: Renegade splits the action across distinct stages featuring both vertical and horizontal movement. Players traverse multi-screen environments populated by wave after wave of hostile punks, bikers, and syndicate thugs. The combat engine is remarkably deep for an 8-bit title, offering a robust arsenal of moves. Alongside standard punches and kicks, characters can deliver devastating knee drops, flying dropkicks, and vicious stomps to downed enemies. A defining mechanic is the ability to pick up and wield dropped weaponry—ranging from pool cues and iron chains to deadly firearms. Furthermore, the game introduces driving sequences on a motorcycle where players must ram rival bikers and dodge oncoming obstacles, providing a refreshing change of pace from the brutal hand-to-hand street combat.

Keyboard Controls

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