Overview and Gameplay
A band of rangers takes on an international poaching organization in Growl, a single-player Sega Genesis conversion of Taito’s arcade beat ’em up. Choose one of four fighters, battle through seven stages, free captured wildlife, and use rescued animals as allies against waves of enemies.
Combat mixes punches, kicks, jumping attacks, and temporary weapons. Swords, pipes, whips, firearms, grenades, and rocket launchers add variety, while food restores lost health. The journey moves through streets, a train, a boat, jungle areas, caves, and the poachers’ headquarters.
Controls And Mechanics
- Directions: Move around the eight-direction playfield.
- A: Attack, pick up weapons, and use the equipped weapon.
- B: Jump; attack while airborne to perform a jumping strike.
- C: Perform a surrounding special attack that consumes vitality.
- Start: Begin or pause the game.
Weapons with ammunition eventually run empty, and the special attack trades health for crowd control. This Genesis edition supports one player only.
Version Notes
The game was released in Japan as Runark. Compared with the arcade original, the Genesis version removes multiplayer, redesigns parts of the cavern stage, and reduces audiovisual detail while retaining the four selectable rangers and animal-rescue mechanic.
Release And Credits
- Genesis release: 1991
- Conversion developer: I.T.L. Co., Ltd.
- Publisher: Taito
- Original platform: Arcade
