Vigilante
The unnamed martial artist controlled by the player, fighting through the city to rescue Maria.
Documented for this version
Joystick | Move left or right; press up or down to move vertically where available. |
|---|---|
Punch Button | Punch. |
Kick Button | Kick. |
Joystick UpJump Button | Jump. |
Punch ButtonKick Button | Attack with the currently held weapon when a weapon is equipped. Arcade control labels vary by cabinet. |
The arcade cabinet uses a joystick and dedicated attack buttons.
Exact button artwork and labels can vary by region or cabinet.
How it plays
The game uses a side-view perspective with horizontally scrolling stages. The objective is to advance through each area, defeat groups of gang members, and overcome a boss at the end.
The player can move, jump, punch, and kick. Nunchaku and other weapons can be picked up during play, extending attack range and changing the rhythm of combat. Enemies attack from both sides, so positioning and timing are essential. Progression is stage-based, with no character development system or selectable modes documented for the arcade version.
Plan your run
Stay near the center of the screen so approaching enemies can be seen from both directions. Use kicks to control space and punches when an opponent is close.
Pick up nunchaku whenever possible, but avoid careless attacks that leave the character exposed. Learn each boss's attack range, keep moving, and use jumps to evade rather than relying only on repeated strikes.
Meet the cast
The unnamed martial artist controlled by the player, fighting through the city to rescue Maria.
The protagonist's girlfriend, kidnapped by the street gang and held as the central rescue objective.
Before you begin
Do not let enemies surround you; reposition before attacking.
Use weapons to shorten difficult encounters, especially against groups.
Save a life by learning boss timing rather than trading hits.
Vigilante is a side-scrolling arcade beat 'em up developed and published by Irem in 1988. The player controls a martial artist defending New York City from a street gang that has kidnapped his girlfriend, Maria. Its design builds on the one-on-one combat style associated with Kung-Fu Master, while adding a larger set of weapons and a more urban presentation. Players fight through several scrolling stages, defeat named gang bosses, and rescue Maria. The game was recognized for responsive combat, clear arcade objectives, and a challenging difficulty curve, although its short length and repetition were typical criticisms.
Catalog entry maintained by EmuGamers Editorial Team
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