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Targ (video game)

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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

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Screenshot

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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Bloom, Steve (1982). Video Invaders. Arco Publishing. p. 41. ISBN 978-0668055208.
  3. ^ "Spectar". Arcade History.
  4. ^ "Targ". Atari Protos.
  5. ^ Pearl, Rick (June 1983). "Closet Classics". Electronic Games. p. 82. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Reed, Matthew. "Attack Force". trs-80.org.
  8. ^ www.centuri.net (10 April 2022). "Targ". Centuri.net. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
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