Targ (video game)
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Targ |
Targ is an arcade maze shoot 'em up created by Exidy and released in 1980, showcasing futuristic vehicular combat. The title debuted in North America in June 1980, followed by a Japanese release through Sega in July of the same year.
Despite the 1980 arcade market being largely dominated by space-themed shooters, Targ stood out as one of only two maze games ranked among the top 20 highest-grossing arcade titles that year, according to Play Meter. This commercial success prompted Exidy to develop a sequel titled Spectar, which featured improved visuals and was launched in July 1980. Although CBS Games created an Atari 2600 adaptation, it was ultimately never brought to market.
Gameplay
The action takes place in "The Crystal City," a maze structured as a 10x10 grid of roads enclosed by square buildings. Players maneuver the Wummel, a compact green vehicle, through the labyrinth while targeting red wedge-shaped foes called Targs. Occasionally, a cyan Spectar Smuggler emerges, providing an opportunity for significant bonus points upon destruction. The adversaries do not shoot but attempt to collide with the player's vehicle.
Eliminating all enemies results in a bonus and progression to the subsequent level. Should the player take too long to clear the screen, enemy speed increases, thereby raising the challenge.
Reception
In 1983, Electronic Games commended Targ for its distinctive take on maze-chase gameplay. Tom Hirschfeld’s 1981 publication, How to Master the Video Games, highlighted the game’s requirement for swift strategic reflexes as the pace intensifies.
Legacy
In 1980, Big Five Software released Attack Force for the TRS-80, which is considered a clone of Targ.
Additionally, Centuri obtained sublicensing rights for Targ and produced a cocktail cabinet edition.