Renegade - for NES

Renegade reached the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, developed and published by Technōs Japan, and it stands as one of the earliest pieces of the beat 'em up genre as we know it. The game is set on the mean streets of Brooklyn, which you must venture through to meet your girlfriend and then rescue her from her kidnappers. Technōs would go on to make Double Dragon, and you can see the groundwork being laid here: Renegade is where the studio worked out how a street brawl should feel on a home console.

Five levels take you through the subway and the docks as well as some thoroughly inhospitable streets, each one ending when the local gang has been cleared out. A wide range of aggressive moves is on offer, including punches, kicks, headbutts and flying kicks, and learning which one suits a crowded screen is most of the skill. Much of the violence is depicted in a fairly tongue in cheek style, with an element of attempted humour along the way. Renegade supports two players, so a friend can get involved rather than just watch.

Players still love Renegade for its directness and its attitude. There is no inventory and no map, just a short walk through a hostile city and a long argument with everyone in it, and the moves still land with real weight nearly four decades on. For collectors it is an important cartridge: Renegade is the foundation Technōs built its reputation on, and owning it alongside the brawlers that followed shows how quickly the genre grew. It is a short game by modern standards, which is exactly why it keeps coming back out of the box.

• Genre: Beat 'em Up
• Players: 1-2
• Region: NTSC
• Release Year: 1987
• Developer: Technōs Japan

Cartridge Only: No Box or Manual
Please note that this listing is for the game cartridge only. The original box, instruction manual, and any other accessories are not included with this purchase unless explicitly stated in the listing. What you receive is exactly what you need to play: the cartridge itself, tested and confirmed working.

Condition & Authenticity
This game has been tested and is fully functional. We do not authenticate or certify originality, and listings are intended for players and everyday collectors rather than professional grading or authentication purposes.

Images & Regional Differences
Product images are for reference only. Label artwork, cartridge color, and regional markings (PAL or NTSC) may vary from the item you receive.