*Target: Renegade* serves as the Western-developed sequel to the classic arcade hit, moving away from its *Kunio-kun* roots into a grittier, more localized urban landscape. Players step back into the shoes of the titular vigilante, navigating through five distinct stages to dismantle the criminal empire of the mysterious underworld kingpin, Mr. Big. While it lacks the narrative complexity of its contemporaries, it captures the late-80s street-fighting aesthetic with considerable grit and determination.
The gameplay transitions from the arena-style combat of the first game to a more traditional side-scrolling format. The combat mechanics are functional but feel somewhat rigid; the hit detection can be unforgiving, especially when dealing with the game’s aggressive AI or the high-speed motorcycle-bound foes. While the inclusion of various weapon pickups and multi-level environments provides some needed variety, the move set feels restricted compared to the fluidity found in the *Double Dragon* series on the same hardware.
Where the title truly excels is in its technical presentation, specifically regarding the audio. The soundtrack, composed by Tim and Geoff Follin, pushes the NES hardware to its limits with complex, driving rhythms and sophisticated textures that perfectly complement the action. Visually, the sprites are large and clearly defined, though the environmental tiles can feel repetitive during longer play sessions. It remains a solid, atmospheric brawler that is ultimately defined more by its incredible music than its mechanical depth.
