Renegade

Before Double Dragon took over the arcade, there was a cabinet that already felt like a back-alley brawl: Renegade. One guy against street gangs on subway platforms and waterfronts, surrounded on all sides. You figured out fast that button mashing wouldn't cut it here: either you mastered the back kick or you got swarmed.

Renegade isn't on UsuArcade yet, but it's on our wishlist. If you want it in the lobby, vote with “I want to play it.”

History

Technos Japan released the game in 1986. In Japan it was called Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun, starring Kunio, a high schooler sticking up for a friend. For the West it was reworked with a street gang look straight out of the movies of the day.

It's one of the founding fathers of the modern beat 'em up: it let you move up and down through the scenery and fight groups of enemies who closed in around you. A year later, the same studio made the big leap with Double Dragon.

How to play

You've got one button to attack left, one to attack right and one to jump, an unusual layout that makes you think about where you're swinging. You can grab dazed enemies and knee them, or knock them down and pound on them while they're on the ground.

Each stage ends with a boss who hits way harder than his crew. Enemies are constantly trying to surround you, so don't get stuck in the middle: hug one side of the screen and use the back kick to handle anyone sneaking up behind you.

Fun facts

• In Japan it had a different hero and setting: a high schooler named Kunio.
• It's a direct ancestor of Double Dragon, from the same studio.
• Attacking left and attacking right use separate buttons.

In the arcade

Coming soon to UsuArcade. Once it's here, you'll be able to play in your browser while the lobby watches and fight for the high score. Until then, the genre it helped start is well represented: Double Dragon, Vigilante and Final Fight are ready to play for free, some of them two-player.

FAQ