Vigilante

Released by Irem in 1988, this game is set in New York and follows a hero who rises up to rescue his girlfriend, Madonna, from the clutches of the evil Rogues gang. While the graphics and background music showed significant technical advancement for the era, the gameplay closely inherited the DNA of the company’s earlier title, *Kung-Fu Master* (*Spartan X*), which came as a surprise to players at the time. It stands out uniquely among Irem’s catalog of the period, as the developer was otherwise known for a string of highly innovative titles, yet it retains specific systemic quirks from *Kung-Fu Master*, such as the ability to perform infinite attack loops while crouching.

Set in 1988 New York City, this is the story of a man fighting to rescue his beloved Madonna, who has been kidnapped by the "Rogues," a violent gang that has even the police feeling helpless. The protagonist, a vigilante, ventures alone into the city controlled by the enemy. He fights his way through using punches, kicks, and occasionally nunchucks to save Madonna.