Targ (video game)
| Targ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Exidy |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Platform(s) | Arcade |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Maze, shoot 'em up |
| Mode(s) | 1-2 players alternating |
Targ is a maze shoot 'em up developed by Exidy and released as an arcade video game in 1980. It depicts vehicular combat in a future world. It was released in North America by Exidy in June 1980 and in Japan by Sega in July.[1]
It was listed by Play Meter as one of only two maze games among the top 20 highest-grossing arcade video games of 1980, which was dominated by space shoot 'em ups.[2] Its success prompted Exidy to release Spectar, a sequel with improved graphics, in July 1980.[3] A port of Targ was developed for the Atari 2600 by CBS Games, but never released.[4]
Gameplay
[edit]
The locale, described by the game cabinet as "The Crystal City", is a 10x10 grid of roads demarcated by square buildings. The player, piloting the Wummel, which looks like a small green car, maneuvers through the maze trying to shoot enemies and avoid collisions with them. Most of the enemies consist of angry-looking red wedges known as Targs. Occasionally, a small cyan-colored Spectar Smuggler appears; shooting it scores a significant bonus. None of the enemies shoot back; their sole means of destroying the Wummel is ramming into it.
When all enemies are destroyed, a bonus is awarded and a new round starts. If the player takes too long to clear the board, the Targs' speed increases until they are traveling faster than the Wummel.
Reception
[edit]Electronic Games stated in 1983 that Targ had "one of the most unique approaches to the maze-chase contest".[5] In his 1981 video game guide How to Master the Video Games Tom Hirschfeld observed that "TARG is one game in which strategy must become almost reflex as the action quickens".[6]
Legacy
[edit]Attack Force for the TRS-80 is a clone of Targ released by Big Five Software in 1980.[7]
Targ was sublicensed to Centuri, who manufactured it in a cocktail version.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) [Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005)] (in Japanese). Japan: Amusement News Agency. pp. 35, 117. ISBN 978-4990251215.
- ^ Bloom, Steve (1982). Video Invaders. Arco Publishing. p. 41. ISBN 978-0668055208.
- ^ "Spectar". Arcade History.
- ^ "Targ". Atari Protos.
- ^ Pearl, Rick (June 1983). "Closet Classics". Electronic Games. p. 82. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ^ Hirschfeld, Tom (1981). How to Master the Video Games. Toronto, New York, London, Sydney: Bantam Books. p. 118-120. ISBN 0553201646. p. 120:
TARG is one game in which strategy must become almost reflex as the action quickens.
- ^ Reed, Matthew. "Attack Force". trs-80.org.
- ^ www.centuri.net (10 April 2022). "Targ". Centuri.net. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
External links
[edit]- Targ at the Killer List of Videogames
