For some video game companies, it's not always easy to make the leap from one generation of video games to the next. The trouble is, if they don't do it fast enough; they could be left behind in the dust, and NEVER be able to catch up to the rest of the competition! On the other hand, they could do it to fast; and completely FUMBLE the attempt to handle the next generation of video game graphics. Atari was victim to the first problem when transitioning to the 8 bit generation, than was a victim of the second problem when trying to transition to the 32 bit generation! Sega was a victim of the second problem when trying to transition to the fifth and seventh generation of video games with the Sega CD, the Sega 32X, the Sega Saturn; and the Sega Dreamcast respectively. Even companies that have never made their own video game systems can fall victim to this as well. Other companies...can sometimes fall right in the middle. They do a decent enough job of starting to adapt to a new generation, they just don't do as much as they could've; and they end up getting left behind. Take for instance, Irem. A good enough video game developer in the 1980's who was behind the famous "R-Type" 8-bit video game; but when they decided to transition to the 16-bit generation, that's when they seemed to start running into problems. Take for instance, this game. To this game's credit, it seems to have learned from the mistakes of the original "Street Fighter", as the self-titled "Vigilante" moves smoother, moves quicker, and is able to attack more quickly. The problem is, this applies to all the thugs that appear in the game as well. While you can occasionally pick up nun-chucks to deal more damage easily; there's only one that appears in each stage. And if you're hit twice, you lose them for good! While the graphics, music, sound, and controls are all good; and even the story is pretty decent, as the Vigilante has to rescue his girlfriend Madonna (probably NOT the famous singer) from an evil gang; the problem is, there's only FIVE stages in the whole game! And even though you probably WON'T be able to beat the game on just one life or continue, the game just doesn't last long enough to really enjoy the potential this video game could've had! So, while this game is definitely better than what other people say it is, it's also not as great as it could've been! It's little wonder than, that it was only three years after this video game came out, that Irem became bankrupt for good. Still, if you want to experience a retro brawler that most people haven't played yet, try playing this game; as either a one or a two player experience for added competition! Enough said, true believers!
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