Vigilante 

Score:
by RetroRalph

I surprised my friend with a visit one day and they had hired Vigilante, that I later found out was an arcade game originally. They were failing miserably at it and wanted to see it finished so they handed me the controller. I had never played it before but the game is fairly easy to get into, and I beat it relatively quickly.

While this game is relatively easy it does feature some nice backgrounds and sprites. The control scheme is also pretty good, it might be an on rails beat-em-up but it still gives you a bit of freedom. The strange thing is I have had dreams about some of the environments in this game, and I think it also inspired some game ideas at the time.

This game was originally an arcade game and ported to various home systems such as Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Sega Master System, Commodore 64, Sega Game Gear, MSX, TurboGrafx-16 and ZX Spectrum.

PORT CHANGES
In the Sega Master System port of Vigilante, Madonna was renamed "Maria" and the Skinheads were called the "Rogues".

USA
Play this arcade smash hit on your Sega System! On the baddest streets of the city they know your name. You are lean and mean...the karate master they call the Vigilante! Your turf was left alone. Your friends and neighbors lived in peace. Until the Rogue gang got too big for their britches. You chilled, hoping things wouldn't get too rough. No such luck. They've taken your girlfriend Maria, and there's only one thing you can do...get her back...anyway you can! You have fists of steel! Legs like pistons! And courage that just won't quit! You will need all three because the Rogues are waiting with knives, guns and a whole hunch of nasty punks! And you'll have to fight fast. If the Rogues make it back to their headquarters before you rescue Maria all hope will be lost. But catch them first and you'll fight the leader of the Rogues. Win Maria...and your turf...will remain safe. Feel any pressure? No way. You're the Vigilante!

EUROPE
English
The sound of Maria's screams echoes in your ears as the vans speed away. It's a fate worse than death. The beautiful Maria has been kidnapped by the city's most fearsome gang: The Rogues. Only you can get her back! Defend your turf and rescue your babe in this action-packed arcade adventure from Sega!

German
Die Hilfeschreie von Maria verhallen in den Straßen. Ihr Schicksal ist schlimmer als der Tod. Die schöne Maria ist von der berüchtigten Bande der Rogues entführt worden. Nur Du kannst sie retten! Schreite zur Vorwärtsverteidigung und rette die schöne Maria in diesem Action-Abenteuer von Seqa!

French
Les cris de Maria retentissent à vos oreilles alors que la camionnette s'éloigne rapidement. C'est un sort pire que la mort. La belle Maria a été enlevée par la bande la plus redoutable de la ville: les Rogues. Vous seul pouvez la délivrer! Défendez votre territoire et sauvez votre amie dans ce jeu d'action, de Sega!

Spanish
Los gemidos de María te llegarán al corazón a medida que se escapa la camioneta. Es peor que la muerte. La hermosa María ha sido raptada por la pandilla de gamberros más temible de la ciudad: Los Rogues. ¡Sólo tú podrás salvarla! ¡Defiéndete y rescata a tu novia en esta aventura tan emocionante que te brinda Sega!

Italian
Come il furgone se la fila via, le urla di Maria risuonano nelle tue orecchie. E una sorte degna di morte. La bellissima Maria è stata presa in ostaggio dalla banda più paurosa della città: I Rogues. Solo tu puoi salvarla! Difendi il tuo territorio e salva la tua adorata in questa avventura piena di battaglie. Creata per te dalla Sega!

BRAZIL
A bela Maria foi raptada pela mais temida quadrilha da cidade: os Rogues. Seus gritos de socorro ainda ecoam pelas ruas. Só você poderá trazê-la de volta. Lute para valer para salvar sua amada... Nesta incrível aventura, o que não falta é ação!