River City Ransom Classic Co-op
Nintendo Entertainment System · Beat 'em Up
Renegade
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1988 (originally 1986) |
| Genre | Beat 'em Up |
| Developer | Technos Japan Corp. |
| Publisher | Taito |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Kunio-kun |
| ESRB | E10+ |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 5 |
Developed by Technos Japan Corp. and published by Taito, Renegade arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988 as a beat 'em up. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1986.
It landed about 3 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1988 include Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Final Fantasy II. Among the 20 NES beat 'em ups in our database, it ranks #12 by legacy score.
It is part of the Kunio-kun series; on the NES you can also try Crash 'n' the Boys: Street Challenge and Nekketsu Street Basket: Ganbare Dunk Heroes. The series also appears on other systems with Renegade (C64). Technos Japan Corp. also made Nintendo World Cup, River City Ransom and Double Dragon for the NES.
Renegade supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you want depth and variety over simple, satisfying brawling
What playing Renegade is like
Beat 'em ups send you down scrolling streets fighting waves of thugs with punches, kicks, throws and grabbed weapons. Most can be finished in a single sitting and shine with a second player.
Tip for newcomers: Avoid getting surrounded: keep enemies on one side of you and save your special attacks for crowds. Bring a friend if the game supports co-op.
Renegade cheats & codes
32 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | SXUIOTVG |
|---|---|
| Both Players Start With 1 Life | AEOSLYZA |
| Both Players Start With 6 Lives | IEOSLYZA |
| Both Players Start With 9 Lives | AEOSLYZE |
| Start With A Super Energy Boost | AIUOZUAZ |
| Start On Mission 2 | PEXSYYAA |
Renegade walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Renegade.
If you like Renegade, the Matrix also picks…
Double Dragon Co-op
Double Dragon II: The Revenge Deep cut
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic
Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja Deep cut Co-op
P.O.W.: Prisoners of War Classic
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Renegade FAQ
When did Renegade come out on the NES?
Renegade was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988; the original game dates back to 1986.
Who made Renegade?
It was developed by Technos Japan Corp. and published by Taito.
Is Renegade multiplayer?
Yes. Renegade supports up to 2 players.
How long does Renegade take to play?
As a beat 'em up, Renegade typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Renegade on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.