 |
|
Platform: NES
Developer: Technos
Publisher: Taito
Players: 2 Players
Release Date: 1987
Genre: Beat 'Em Up
Saving Option: No Saving Option
One of the first beat 'Em up's on the NES, as well as Tecnos' first release, this game aged quite a bit since 1987, that's for sure. Double Dragon was longer and had more of a following but Technos had to start somewhere.
Storyline: You, as Mr. K (Kunio, his real name), must rid the streets of thugs and work your way to the crime leader, Sabu's hideout. The game starts off strangely enough as Mr. K is ambushed by thugs 2:00 A.M. in a subway!
Graphics: Very primitive and a little plain; the city atmosphere is still there though. Subway, dock, streets, bar, and buildings... roughly all recognizable and nice on the eyes. The characters themselves look like the typical Technos mold: cartoonish faces and their all willing to beat the crap out of you without remorse or hesitation. I think it's kind of funny. The characters aren't as chubby or big-headed as in the future Technos games but the spirit is there anyway.
Sound: The music in the game sounds funny. There's just something about them. It's almost like something out of an action scene in a disco movie or something ... like Jackie Chan? The sound effects were "hit" sounds (... hard to explain). Kind of like the ones in Double Dragon but more older if you could imagine.
Gameplay: I LOVE Beat 'Em Up's! This one is no different when it comes to fighting criminals on the streets and whatnot. Each stage has Mr. K go up against a horde of thugs in a "scene" and then you go through a door of some sort and do battle with more thugs. You get the deal. Sooner or later, a room will have you go up against the boss of the stage who is stronger/tougher. Defeat him and a mug shot in a black screen will pop up with Mr. K's immortal words, "You ain't tough enough for me!" which sounds a bit like what Guile says in Street Fighter II ("Are you man enough to fight with me?"). Oh well. If you do lose against a boss he runs his mouth and talks trash and you start over from wherever.
Here is a list of the items you might find:
Hamburger:
Execute a running kick when the last two digits of the timer are "17" on level 1, "43" on level 2, and "59" on level 3.
Heart:
Execute a sit-on punch on your third target when the last digit of the timer is even.
"P" power-up:
Execute a jump kick when last two digits of the timer are "32" on level 1, "25" on level 2, and "11" on level 3.
Mr. K has 10 life bars and has 4 blocks in each bar. So it is a bit easier than let's say Double Dragon, which gives you 3 bars of life with whatever blocks and no continues. There is also difficulty settings of normal, easy, and hard. The difficulty settings do alter the game quite a bit. In the maze of rooms in the building, the final bosses location is changed as well as the boss himself. Even I'm not sure exactly what happens, but I assume your trouble has doubled...
Control: Renegade has a unique button configuration that was only otherwise seen in the future releases by Technos (Double Dragon II: The Revenge and Target: Renegade). Upon facing an enemy right, Mr. K will punch with B and kick backwards with A. When Mr. K changes view to the left, A will punch and B will kick backwards. it's really helpful when the thugs gang up on you that's for sure. A+B will make Mr. K jump kick and if you tap the control pad you can make him run, B+A will make him perform a running jump kick and, a press of B or A (depending on direction) will make a running punch. Also, you can toss opponents by pressing punch button if you get in hits and you are near them. This can work when an enemy is on the ground. Go near and press punch to go on to poof him and knock his lights out.
Fun Factor: There is also a 2 player mode here, but you have to take turns between plays like in Double Dragon. The game is good for fights and the obvious. Many people may not agree with me and would rather stick with DD1 or DD3. They're good games, too, but Renegade is a "best kept secret"-type game, and I like that type of stuff.
Frustration: The enemies can get vicious. They'll swarm over you and with even a second of mistake, they'll take advantage and warp you to the 'Game Over' screen. Auto buttons will help you a lot but only if used in the right situations. One thing that pisses me off in the game is when you try to mount onto a fallen boss to punch him. This happens automatically if you're by him and he will almost always toss you off!
BOTTOM LINE: Overall, a great piece of NES, Technos, and Beat 'Em Up history, and was a wicked find for me at the Flea Market for 2 bucks.-Jason Hogan
| Back to reviews Back home |
